“I think you’re pretty.”
He blinked.
Mack guffawed behind him.
“Ah, thank you. I think you’re pretty too.”
“P-R-E-T-T-Y. I’m a good speller.”
“I see that.”
“I wish I had teeth and claws so when Marty Binker hits me, I could carve him up.” She curled her fingers and pretended to claw his arm. “After the fight, you could heal me by doing BLS and I wouldn’t have to go to the hospital.” She leaned closer to whisper in a loud voice, “Uncle Doug had to go to the hospital because he was pooping a lot.”
The man with Emily, Doug apparently, turned bright red. “Okay, Emily, we need to get you back to your mom.” In a lower but still audible voice, Doug added, “She owes me big for this.”
Emily continued, “But then they gave him ivy and he had more fluid and got better.”
“Ivy?” Mack asked.
“I think she means an IV.” Reggie stared at the little girl who saidivyandfluidin the same sentence. “It must have been pretty serious if Uncle Doug needed an IV. I’m glad he’s better.”
She nodded, solemn, and Reggie was struck by how cute she was when not grilling him. She reminded him of Rachel, a little girl he’d been doing his level best not to think about while surrounded by so many children. The sadness that had never left him returned, though he refused to let it show.
“I’m glad he’s better too.” Emily smiled. “I’m Emily.” She held out her hand.
He shook it, conscious of how much larger than her he was. “I’m Reggie.”
“I know. I was paying attention.”
“Emily, we need to go,” Doug reminded her.
“Okay. Thank you for the stories. Maybe you can come over for dinner with me and my mom. She’s really nice and makes macaroni with hot dogs in it. And she hardly ever poops. Well, sometimes, but—”
“And we’re done.” Doug scooped Emily up in his arms and tickled her. As she laughed, he said to Reggie, “Thanks for the class. And really, you did great. Especially in front of the terror of John Muir Elementary.” He nodded to Emily.
Reggie grinned. “Thanks. Today was harder than running the gauntlet when I was in the Navy.”
Doug laughed. “I’ll bet. Thanks for all you do. You too, Mack.”
Mack nodded. “Anytime.”
They left, and Reggie was sorry to see them go. Though the little girl had been a tough sell, he felt as if he’d won her over by the end.
“You know, you should have gotten Emily’s mom’s number.” Mack rubbed his chin. “She doesn’t poop a lot, apparently. That’s pretty much your speed, right?”
“Shut up.”
Mack laughed.
They drove back to work just as a call came in.
“Thank God.” With any luck, they’d get someone they could help to take Reggie’s mind from cute little girls he’d never see again. Adorable Emily and her brown bear, and Rachel, the daughter who might have been.
***
When Doug handed Emily off to Maggie after her return from an excruciating visit to the dentist, Maggie thanked him, her lower lip still numb. “You’re the best. Thanks for taking my tiny terror.” She sank back on her couch in her semi-clean apartment while Emily raced to her room.
“Don’t mention it.” Doug, her neighbor, fellow teacher, and best friend, shook his head. “I mean it. I want to forget today as soon as possible.”
