“Yeah, don’t worry, Tin. Kylie and I’ve got it covered.” Rayna squeezed her hand and smiled.
“The last time you were in charge, I got a broken nose.” Tinley rubbed at her nose but giggled.
“Let’s just focus on tomorrow,” Patrick continued. “You can ride in the shuttle with the other littles and sit with them in the theater. Once the show is over, the shuttle will come straight back to the Quad, and if you’re good, your Daddies will bring you to the activities in Quad IV on Friday and Saturday night. Any questions?”
“Nope.” Rayna seemed pretty excited with this new element of freedom from her daddy. Tinley was more unsure, but she put on a brave front, probably for Rayna’s sake.
“I saw a little of the show yesterday,” I said to Tinley. “It’s amazing. We are going to have so much fun.”
“Okay.” She nodded.
Josh kissed the side of her head and whispered. “There’s my brave girl.” She soaked up the praise.
My heart pounded in my chest.
Patrick finished the meeting with more logistics and another warning. Rayna and her daddy left.
“Isn’t it just like the movie we see on TV every year?” Tinley stood next to me. “What’s the big deal? We could watch it at home any time.”
“You like staying at home?” I whispered. She looks around. Josh was on the phone near the back of the room.
“Yeah, it’s safer there.” She wiggled her fingers at her side.
“Well, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” I held out my hand, and she took it. It was weird comforting her. I was only an inch or two taller than her. “But, as far as the show goes, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. You will be amazed. Who’s your favorite character?” I asked.
“The scarecrow.” She giggled. “He’s so funny and clumsy, like me.”
“He is funnier. And the visuals make it feel like you are in the land of Oz.” My voice took on a mystical tone that made Tinley smile. “Like his straw can actually scratch you if you reach out and touch it . I’d hate for you to miss out on it.”
“You’ll be there with me the whole time?”
God, the hope in her eyes killed me.
“The whole time.” I nodded.
She leaned in and gave me a quick hug before turning and skipping over to Josh. He ended his call as she wrapped her arms around his waist. With a head tilt, Tinley waited for her daddy's kiss. They headed out the door together.
She was so trusting. If I went through what she went through, I don’t think I could trust anyone ever again. I gathered my stuff.
Patrick walked back into the meeting room.
“You all set for tomorrow?” He asked.
“Yep.” I nodded. “I know my assignment.”
“It will be fine. We have plenty of backup.”
“What if one of the girls didn’t want to go?” I hugged my notebook to my chest.
“Then they don’t have to go, but I think it’s good for Tinley to push herself and get out more.” He leaned against the conference table.
“How do you know I’m talking about Tinley?” My eyes darted to the ground.
“I know Tinley and Rayna and take care of them as if they were my own.”
“Why don’t you have a little of your own?” I regretted the question as soon as it left my mouth.
“I haven’t met the right one yet.”
