The question surprises me. I’d expected a lecture about why what I did was so naughty and how Little girls shouldn’t make messes. Instead, he wants to know about my feelings?
It’s so surprising, in fact, I can’t even find the words to answer him. “Dunno.”
“Tabitha. Daddy can’t help you if you aren’t honest. Tell me what you were so angry about at dinner.”
Never in my life has anyone asked me to tell themwhyI got upset. In all my foster homes, any negative emotion was simply met with punishment. Usually in the form of being sent to my room to be alone with my thoughts.
“I don’t know how,” I confess quietly, and I think if I wasn’t so completely drained, I might start crying again. “I’m sorry, I’m not being naughty, I just—I’m not used to talking about this stuff.”
“What stuff, baby?”
“My feelings.”
Beneath my cheek, his chest rumbles with what almost sounds like a growl. “Nobody’s ever let you talk about your feelings?”
“Not really. Nobody’s ever really asked.”
Silence falls around us, and worry wiggles its way into my brain. Is he angry? Did I say something wrong?
Before I can apologize, the door on the other side of the room opens and Uncle Ford steps in carrying a tray. “Uncle Eli made you a fresh plate and some of his special frozen hot chocolate.”
Daddy sighs. “He’s going to spoil her.”
“Nonsense.” Winking at me, Uncle Ford sets the tray down on the table beside the chair Daddy and I are curled up in. “You can’t spoil a baby. Do you need anything else, sweetheart?”
“Can you tell Uncle Eli I’m really sorry I wasted his food and made a mess?”
“Of course.” Leaning forward, Uncle Ford presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m going to go and let your Daddy take care of you. But we all wanted to tell you that we’re so very happy you’re a part of our family, little Tabby.”
“Really?”
“Yes, sweetheart. Really.”
“Even though I was super naughty?” I can’t help but press.
Uncle Ford chuckles softly. “Sweetheart, if it weren’t for naughty Little girls, we wouldn’t haveanyLittle girls around here. I promise you that we love you, no matter how naughty you are. Okay?”
“‘Kay.” I don’t believe him, but I don’t have the energy to argue, either.
“That’s our girl.” Straightening, he turns his attention to Daddy. “Will we see you again tonight?”
“After I get Tabby down.”
Something flickers across Uncle Ford’s face, but it’s gone too quickly for me to figure out what it is. “All right. I’ll let the others know.”
“Thanks, Ford.”
When Uncle Ford turns to leave, Daddy shifts me on his lap, reaching for the plate full of food. And despite how tired I am, my tummy immediately grumbles as the yummy smells hit my nose.
Chuckling, Daddy scoops up a forkful of pot roast. “Open up, little one.”
Unlike downstairs, I immediately open my mouth for him to feed me. The roast hits my tongue and I groan, my eyes rolling upward as flavors explode in my mouth. “Oh my god.”
“Your Uncle Eli is a pretty good cook, huh?”
“Uh-huh.”
We sit in silence for a while, with the only sounds in the room coming from me as Daddy feeds me bite after delicious bite. After I’ve finished nearly half the plate, he sets it aside and hands me a child’s sippy cup decorated with cartoon characters. “Drink some water, and then you can finish your dinner.”
