“Would my supervisor at the rescue be okay for a reference for how I handle dogs? There is also a vet I worked closely with on a few sad cases. I know he would vouch for me,” the woman said enthusiastically.
“I think you need to fill this out,” Tami suggested, drawing an application form from the file folder in front of her.
The woman took it from her with a smile and set it on the table before rummaging through her bag for a pen. “Could I ask how much you pay? I’m not looking for a lot. I just need to pay my rent.”
“Good question. Let me come talk to you and we’ll discuss all the details.” Tami stood up and moved over to the woman’s table.
“It sounds like she would be a good fit,” Tim suggested quietly.
“We’ll have to be careful about saying anything about being Little,” Melissa whispered.
“I don’t know. Did you notice her bag when she rummaged in there for something to write with?”
“No. Why? What did you see?”
“She has a stuffie. I think it was a raccoon, but it was pretty faded. I couldn’t see the colors well,” Tim shared.
“Like she’d had it for a while?” Melissa suggested, and Tim nodded.
The two looked at each other.
“That would be too much of a coincidence,” Melissa said.
“Maybe? But maybe not. I brought this pamphlet on PLAYTIME to show you. I got it from Sofia and Isabella. Their Daddy is the one who designed PLAYTIME. I thought it was neat because it has all sorts of statistics about the number of matches that have been made. I was silly and added one to each column since you and your Daddy are such a good combination.”
“Oh, that’s neat. Thank you, Tim.”
“We could drop it in her bag, so she finds it later. She wouldn’t know it was us. There’s so much stuff in that big purse. It might take her weeks to uncover it,” Tim suggested.
“She’ll just toss it if she’s not interested. If she is…” Melissa’s voice trailed off.
“If she is, another Little might find her match.”
“How do we do it?” Melissa asked. “You’re on the outside edge of the seat. Can you drop it in there?”
“I’m too far away,” Tim said, eyeing the distance.
“Stand up and let me out. I’ll go use the bathroom and, on the way, I’ll go behind her and drop the paper in her bag,” Melissa told him.
“Good idea!” Tim immediately slid out of the booth to let Melissa out. In seconds, it was done.
They each crossed their fingers. Melissa knew Tim thought like she did; all Littles should be able to find their Daddies. Or Mommies. Or both.
Melissa couldn’t wait to tell Rocky about the meeting. She’d stop by the grocery store to drop off the application for Debbie first. Quickly, she ran to the bathroom before returning to the booth.
Tami had rejoined Tim in their booth. Melissa took a big breath and said, “I have something to tell you both, too.”
“You aren’t quitting, right?” Tim asked.
“Having a baby?” Tami guessed.
“No!” Melissa looked at her as she shook her head quickly. “Nothing like that. I just wanted to share that I enrolled in a virtual high school program. I’m going to work on all the credits I need to finally graduate. But I’m going to work on it at night. I won’t be able to work overtime.”
“That’s amazing, Melissa. I’m so proud of you,” Tami cheered.
“Daddy said we can have a graduation party when I finish everything. He already has one of those board-like hats with the tassel?”
“Count on me,” Tim chimed in. “That’s great, Melissa. You’ve talked about wanting to get your diploma. I’m glad you have support to get it now. Not that you’ll need any help. You’re a brainiac.”
