I was surprised to see even Ghost nodding in agreement.
Tina sure is a force. Just storms in and storms back out. Normally, leaving you confused.
Tina enters the ‘chill out’ room and clears her throat dramatically. She lifts her arm, sways it to the side and announces, “May I present, the ever lovely, Princess Ceecee. ”
And in comes Cricket looking, not only pretty, but happy. All of us guys whistle and cheer while Ceecee giggles.
I take a sip of my coffee as Ceecee speaks, “Tina said I could get a tattoo!”
I choke, sputter, and coffee ends up all over my shirt.
The silence is deafening. That doesn’t sound like something my Tina would say.
Tina laughs nervously and corrects her, “Um, actually I said when you were twenty one you could do what you please. I also said you had to ask your dad’s permission first. ” Tina looks at Max and nods vigorously.
That sounds more like it. My little Cricket is already becoming a cheeky one.
Max narrows his eyes at Tina and asks Ceecee, “Baby, did Tina pay with daddy’s card?”
As soon as the question is out Tina stiffens and I want to burst out laughing. She didn’t use the card.
What Ceecee says next proves Tina somehow got through to her, “Um, I’m not sure daddy. I didn’t see. She must have. I’m pretty sure she did. Yes, she did. I’m sure she did. ” Cricket is lying her ass off to protect Tina.
Max’s eyes remain narrowed and at Tina, whose eyes are wide and her neck is bright red, then he answers Ceecee, “Well, if you’re sure, angel. ”
Tina finally caves and blurts out, “Princess’ daddies don’t pay for princess things, their fairy godmothers do!”
Ceecee turns to face Tina and asks quietly, “Are you my fairy godmother?”
Tina’s eyes crinkle as she touches Ceecee’s cheek and confidently states, “Today I am. ”
Yeah. Tina’s the shit.
Chapter Eleven
Cherry Bombs
Tina left shortly after returning Ceecee to The White Rabbit. And the rest of the day consisted of Ceecee going on and on and on about Tina and what she said and did and that she eats a lot and how Tina said ladies and princesses don’t say the word bitch. Tina is Cricket’s new idol.
Before she left, she took me and Max aside and spoke to us about Ceecee. What she told us wasn’t anything we didn’t know but at least she was trying to help.
She told us, “Ceecee is really insecure. I spoke to her about a few things today and got a few answers if you want them. I normally wouldn’t tell you but it’s not like she swore me to secrecy. ”
Max looks dejected and quietly replied, “That would be good, T. ”
She puffed out a breath and remarked “Where to start? Um, Ceecee has no idea how to make friends. I told her the basics but because she’s been bullied she’s extra shy. So I gave her a little advice about the bullying, even though when she told me I wanted to ask her what school she went to and give those bullies something to talk about!” She nods enthusiastically as she says this, eyes wide. I try my hardest not to laugh. “She also told me everyone in the family treats her like a baby. ” She puts her hand on Max’s. “This isn’t helping her, honey. She’s nine going on eighteen. And she’s smart. She knows when she’s being babied. ”
Max runs his free hand through his hair and explains, “I don’t know how to be any other way. I try not to, T. ”
She takes both of his hands, pulls them up to her chest and looks his right in the eye.
She answers fiercely, “Try harder, honey. She needs you. And it’s great to be protective of her but she doesn’t need a bodyguard, Max. She needs a daddy who she can come to with her problems, not a father that tries to stop all the problems before they’ve even happened. ”
Max drops her hands and pulls her into a bear hug. They rock from side to side.
Max says, “I’ll try, T. ”
“That’s great, honey. ” She smiles, loosens her hold on him and looks up. “I have to go. I’ll see you guys tonight, right?”