Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

Ceecee looks up at Max like he’s the best dad in the whole world. And to tell you the truth, I’m starting to believe he is. She answers him softly, “Okay, daddy. ”

I look to Nik then Max and point out, “We’ve got to go. We’re going to be late. ”

Ceecee and I wave to them both and head to the elevator.

That went better than expected.

***

Ceecee and I are on the sidewalk and I ask her, “Do you want to wheel yourself or do you mind if I push you along?”

She shoots me a shy smile, “I dunno. Whatever you want. I’m okay with either. ”

I jump up and click my heels together, Ceecee laughs at my silliness. I hoot, “Hot damn! I always wanted to drive your car!”

I push her along the sidewalk up the road to the salon. I’ve called ahead and let them know Ceecee is wheelchair bound. Luckily, they have suitable access.

A woman coming out of the salon holds the door open for us, we go in and thank her.

Tanya owns Bells and Whistles salon. I’ve been getting manicures from her and her girls for two years and I like her a lot. When I called I told her I needed a deluxe princess treatment and she worked out a schedule for us. Tanya is in her forties but looks about thirty. She is always made up and her long hair is dyed a vivid red.

As soon as Ceecee spots her making her way over to us she gasps, her voice awed, “Can I get my hair like that?” I actually laugh out loud at the thought of bringing her back to Max with bright red hair.

“Well, hey there Tina! Is this Princess Ceecee that’s scheduled in with us today?” Tanya is looking down at Ceecee with a huge smile on her pretty face.

I chuckle and state, “This is the one and only Princess Ceecee. ” I decide to act out a bit. I put my nose in the air. “I demand the best of service for her. Her father is a king after all. ”

Ceecee giggles and covers her mouth with one hand. Tanya widens her eyes and she plays along, “But, of course. Only the best of service for Princess Ceecee. Please, come this way. ”

I push Ceecee over to the first station for a facial. As I walk past Tanya she scrunches up her face, puts a hand on her chest and mouths, “She’s beautiful. ”

Don’t I know it.

Tanya takes a seat beside Ceecee’s chair and explains what will be done to her today. “Okay, princess Ceecee, today we’re going to start with a facial. That’s where I’ll put some cold goop on your face. We’ll leave it on for about ten minutes and then wipe it off. Then I’ll do your fingernails and toe nails. You can pick whatever color you want on them. After that, I’ll trim and style your hair. And we’ll finish up with a massage. How does that sound, honey bun?”

Ceecee’s eyes are wide. She whispers to Tanya, “Good. Thank you. ”

Tanya smiles big at Ceecee, “Well you’re a princess and you deserve the best, sweetie. ”

Ceecee smiles, lowers her eyes and whispers, “Okay. ”

Sweet baby Jesus, I love this child.

Every time I see Ceecee my heart melts. She is so lovable and warm. She seems is disbelief whenever someone compliments her, though. That bothers me. By the end of today I want her to feel good. As good as she’s ever felt.

Tanya applies our face masks and while we’re waiting for them to set I hear Ceecee singing along with the radio. “You are now, now rockin’ with Will. I. Am and Britney, Bitch. ”

I gasp and softly reprimand her, “Ceecee, we are ladies and princesses, and we do not say b i t c h. ” I end on a whisper and have no idea why I felt the need to spell the word when she just said it.

Ceecee becomes thoughtful then looks back to me and says, “But Britney said bitch and she’s a lady. ”

Damn it, Britney. Now look at what you’ve done!

My eye twitches as I try to think of an acceptable answer, “Ah, I guess…Well…That is…Britney is over the age of twenty one. She is an adult and she can do what she likes. And she isn’t a princess. ” I pat her hand and feel I’ve won this round.

Her eyes widen and she says slowly, “So, when I’m twenty one I can do whatever I like?”

Without thinking I say, “Sure. ”