“Be a good girl and I’ll give you a reward,” I said, giving her a wink. “If you’re a really good girl, I’ll give you a spanking.”
“Mama, why would Morgan spank Race if she’s good?” Tamara asked Max, her face scrunched up and her tiny nose wrinkled.
Anthony patted Tamara’s head, glaring at me. “Thanks for that, Morgan.”
Max knelt down, bringing herself eye level with Tamara. “Sweetheart, Morgan was just kidding.”
“But when I’m bad, Daddy says he’s going to spank me.” Tamara looked at me from the corner of her eye. “He doesn’t look like he’s kidding, Mama. Morgan is kind of scary,” she whispered to Max, but it was loud enough that everyone could hear.
I found the entire thing priceless.
“Don’t worry, Tamara,” Race said as she looked down at her. “Morgan is like a teddy bear. Don’t listen to him. He just acts tough.”
“Like Uncle Joey?” Tamara asked, glancing over at Joe.
“Just like him, dollface,” Race replied, tapping Tamara on the nose. “Should I give him a spanking for scaring you?” Race looked up at me, her green eyes twinkling.
Tamara pulled at her lip, nodding slowly. “You should,” she replied as a lopsided smile formed on her face. “If he’s been a bad boy, then he deserves it.”
“Oh, baby, he’s been a very bad boy.” Race winked at me as she stood. “I’ll take care of him.”
Tamara turned her body from side to side as she giggled. “Morgan’s going to get punished,” she said cheerfully.
“Only if I’m lucky,” I mumbled, patting Tamara on the head as I kissed Max. “Sorry, babe,” I whispered in her ear.
“Oh, please. Anthony says things that are ten times worse.” Max kissed my cheek. “I’m sure she’s going to be very confused when she gets older.”
“Yeah. Or she’ll realize how sick we all are.”
“Ready to go home, Mara?” Anthony asked as he picked the little girl up and placed her on his hip.
She tugged at his ear, resting her head on his shoulder. “Yeah, Daddy. Will you sing for me tonight?”
“Which one, baby?” he asked, before kissing the top of her head.
“The one you and Mommy danced to at your wedding,” Tamara replied, grabbing his face between her tiny hands. “Please, Daddy.”
“Anything you want, baby girl.”
“Sounds like you have a busy night in front of you, cousin,” I said as I walked up to him. “I’ll see you next week.”
He held his hand out. “I wouldn’t trade nights like this for anything in the world.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” I said as I shook his hand.
“There’s nothing like the first time your daughter says, ‘I love you.’ You realize there’s no other love like it.” He clutched Tamara a little closer.
I dropped my hands, realizing that my cousin had everything in the world. A loving wife, a child, and an amazing family.
“You’re a lucky man, Anthony.”
“I imagine you’re not too far off from where I’m standing.”
I shook my head. “I’m at the starting line.”
“It’s not a marathon.”
“I’m not sprinting.”
