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Vanessa opened her mouth to talk, but he stopped her. “One second, Nessa, she’s right.” He turned to me. “Do you know that feeling you have in your tummy right now? The feelings of excitement and nerves like little butterflies flapping around like crazy?”
“How do you know what’s in my tummy?” I put my hands on my hips and scrunched my face at him.
“Because I have those feelings, too, and when I get nervous, I get quiet and let Mommy take the lead. She doesn’t have that problem. She is the bravest woman I know.”
More confused than ever, I looked back and forth at them again. When I’d encountered Zack in the 101 office he had exuded dominance, but maybe I’d read the whole situation wrong. Guilt creeped into my tummy for jumping to conclusions. “Wait, is she… are you…”
Zack laughed. “No, honey. She is not my Mommy, but I figured if you hear us refer to each other as such, maybe it will feel more natural for you when the time comes.”
“Okay, but how can the time come if you won’t answer my question? Do you want me here?” I asked, feeling unusually brave because I had to know.
“Yes, I do. Very much, actually,” he answered without hesitation. “I’m just nervous.”
“Why?”
“Let’s go inside and we can talk more, okay?”
“Okay.” I sighed, having forgotten for a second we were standing in the hallway.
I followed Vanessa inside with Zack close behind me. Their room smelled amazing, like they’d brought the entire Italian restaurant home with them, and my tummy growled.
“Someone is hungry.” Vanessa teased.
“I mighta been too nervous to eat anything today.”
“You haven’t eaten anything all day?” Zack chimed in.
“No, Sir. I missed breakfast because I fell asleep in Master Derek’s office, and then lunch came and I…. needed to make a phone call, and…” I shrugged having run out of excuses.
He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Well that is absolutely unacceptable, so let’s remedy that.”
We went to the small dinette and he pulled out a seat for me, and one for Vanessa. Next to him was a rolling cart full of covered dishes. “So Mommy and I are vegetarians. I didn’t order anything with meat for dinner. Are you okay with that?”
Vegetarians? Of course they were vegetarians. I hated vegetables with everything I was, having never met a vegetable I liked. Ever. “Is there noodles?” I asked, not wanting to offend them with the utter disgust I was feeling.
“There sure is! Spaghetti with marinara and garlic bread. How does that sound?”
“Yes, please.”
“Such pretty manners for such a pretty girl,” Vanessa praised.
My cheeks heated and I squirmed in my seat, embarrassed. As much as I loved the praise, I didn’t accept compliments well.
Zack dished up a plate and handed it to Vanessa, who began cutting the spaghetti into small bite-sized pieces. Then she picked up a set of silverware that looked like it was made for a toddler with teddy bears engraved on the handle.
“Here you go, little one.” She smiled as she sat it in front of me. “Daddy and I read your file and saw that in the right setting you’d like to be treated as if you’re preschool age or even a little younger, so we are going to operate as such as long as that’s okay with you.”
I smiled and nodded. “It's okay with me. Thank you, M… ma’am.” I wanted to call her Mommy, I really did, but the word wouldn’t come out.
Zack finished dishing up food for Vanessa before serving himself. I ate quietly, enjoying their easy conversation and answering questions that were aimed at me. I figured the things they were talking about were meant to help me get to know them without me having to lead the conversation, or even having to think up things to ask. It was easy and comfortable, and for all intents and purposes, it felt like I really was a little kid at the dinner table listening to her parent’s conversation.
When everything was done, Vanessa collected my plate.
“Let Daddy wipe your face, honey,” Zack said as he took a damp cloth and gently cleaned my mouth. “Hands,” he instructed once he deemed my face clean. I held out my hands that were thankfully clean, but he cleaned them anyway.
“There now. All clean. Now comes the hard part.”
He sat at the table and folded his hands on the table in front of him.
