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Soft pastel colors adorned the walls, and plush toys peeked out from their cozy nooks, inviting play and comfort.
“Alright, little one,” Trent said gently, guiding Patti to the cushioned floor. “Let’s have a seat, and you can share your thoughts with Daddy.”
No one was here right now, not even Nanny Clara. They could be completely themselves. First, Patti’s reflection, then some playtime.
To Trent’s surprise, Patti hesitated after his question, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.
“Uhm, I don’t really know what to say, Daddy,” Patti mumbled, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
Trent’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying her. He knew Patti well enough by now to recognize when she was holding back. But he also knew that pushing her too hard could make her clam up even more.
“Are you sure, sweetheart?” he asked softly. “It’s important for us to share our thoughts and feelings with each other.”
Patti nodded, not meeting his gaze. “I’m sure, Daddy. I really can’t think of anything.”
Trent hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. He didn’t want to force her to reveal something she wasn’t ready to share, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was keeping something from him.
“Okay,” he finally said, his voice gentle yet firm. “If you really can’t think of anything, that’s alright. We can try again another time.”
At his words, Patti’s shoulders visibly relaxed, and she looked up at him with relief shining in her eyes. “Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered.
“Let’s play together then, and if you think of anything, you can tell me.”
As they began to roleplay the different people and animals of the ranch, Patti’s spirits seemed to lift. They laughed together as they made the toy horses gallop and the cows moo, the playful atmosphere warming the room like a cozy fire.
Patti, eyes sparkling with excitement, eagerly joined him in arranging the tiny horses, cows, and other farm animals within the toy corral. Their laughter echoed through the room, filling it with a sense of joy and playfulness.
“Alright, now,” Trent said, adopting a gruff cowboy voice. “I reckon we need to get these critters settled in for the evenin’.”
Patti giggled, mimicking his accent. “Yessir, let’s round ’em up!”
Together, they moved the small plastic figures around, making up stories of daily life on the ranch. Patti was particularly good at giving each animal its own unique personality, and Trent found himself getting lost in the imaginary world they’d created together.
“Please Daddy,” Patti said, “let’s say that there’s no illness in this fake ranch world.”
“That seems reasonable, sweetheart. Although the ranch doctor is coming down with a pretty serious case of sexy-itis.”
“Sexy-itis?” Patti gasped, covering her mouth with a hand. “That’s incurable, isn’t it?”
“Sadly, it is. Although, this female ranchhand actually has a miracle treatment right between her legs.”
“Her pants?”
Trent chuckled. “That’s it. He needs 25 grams of ground pants.”
Patti let out a laugh. “He’s gonna have to eat the pants right off her.”
“Speaking of which,” Trent said, holding up a plastic sheep, “the animals need feeding. We better get Dick South,” he held up a cowboy figure who had his head on backward, “to take care of the sheep.”
Suddenly, Patti went silent.
“You alright, honey? Did I say the wrong thing?”
She shook her head. “Just thinking about the animals. The real ones. I… It’s…”
Clearly, there was something wrong. Concern filled Trent’s eyes as he watched her struggle. “Hey, what’s going on?” he asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Is there something you need to share with me?”
Tears welled in Patti’s eyes, her lower lip trembling as she looked up at Trent. “I lied to you, Daddy,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “That’s against rule three. And I wouldn’t do my daily reflection. That’s against rule one. I understand if you want to break up with me.”
