Page 18 of Rekindling Little River
They didn’t want to lie and say yes because they didn’t feel ready, so they shrugged their shoulders in response.
“Can you give me a verbal answer?”
Panic clutched at River’s chest as the question floated between them, but what could they do besides be honest? So, with growing dread they shook their head.
“I see.”
Their Daddy didn’t seem to be upset, so they clung to that with hope.
“Since you can’t verbalize at the moment, I am going to ask yes and no questions. Okay?”
River nodded as their lungs released all the pent up air in a great whoosh.
“Are you nervous?”
River nodded.
“Are you scared?”
River nodded again.
“Do you still want to do this?”
River shrugged.
“Is there something in particular that you fear?”
River nodded.
“Okay, is it the strangers?”
River wasn’t sure how to respond to that question because the answer was not a simple yes or no. They didn’t fear the strangers themselves. They feared being left alone with them. Apparently, they’d paused long enough for their Daddy to realize what they were thinking, because his next question was spot on.
“Is it me leaving you there?”
They nodded their head vigorously.
“I’ll speak to the teachers and see what we can do, all right? If I can’t stay, we’ll find something else to do.”
The tension drained from River’s body so quickly it made them feel almost lightheaded and they swayed just a bit.
Daddy quickly reached out and steadied them, saying, “I’ve got you, baby. Daddy’s got you.” He pulled them into a warm hug and whispered close to their ear, “Always. Daddy won’t let you fall.”
River tried not to think about how much they wanted those words to be true. They didn’t want to think about what it would be like to have Daddy always. They’d learned that lesson already. They didn’t do full-time Daddies or relationships for a reason. But, god, the fantasy of it was so enticing and, for a brief moment as they entered the Butterfly Room tucked under their Daddy’s arm, they couldn’t help but imagine that this could really be theirs forever.
CHAPTER 17
Dave
Dave was kicking himself for not realizing earlier that River had gone non-verbal. They’d never seen River go non-verbal before but then again, he’d seen a lot of things from River in the last twenty-four hours that he’d never seen before. He needed to get it through his head that there was no anticipating what would happen as River fully embraced their new freedom.
Wrapping his arm around River’s shoulders, Dave led them into the Butterfly Room, waving to a teacher before leading River to the group of Littles he’d seen them playing with earlier that morning. As he helped River down to a beanbag in the corner with their friends he asked, “Will you be okay here while I talk to the teachers?”
River nodded and squeezed Rhett tightly. Dave kissed their forehead and let them know he’d be back as soon as possible before heading to speak to the teacher. Turning, he found the woman again. She was undoubtedly the teacher, formidable looking with her hair pulled into a bun and wearing a long black skirt. She eyed him with a hint of suspicion.
He made his way over and held out his hand. “My name is Dave Shepphard. My Little one, River, made plans to meet their friends here and I signed them up for the day.”
“Miss Price.” Miss Price’s handshake was firm without being intimidating and Dave realized that despite her formidable look, she was likely a very sweet woman.
