The boy blinked at him with wide and watery eyes and gave Easton a lost look that hit him right in the feels. Then slowly, he extended the bunny like an offering.
Easton tilted his head. “Oh. I see. Who’s this?”
The stuffy was shoved a bit closer to his face, soft nose nearly smacking into Easton’s cheek.
He chuckled. “Well, hello there, who are you...?”
Still silent, the boy wriggled the bunny in his hand. The Little’s thumb popped free with a faint slurp before he spoke in a wobbly, high-pitched voice. “My name is Bumbletruff Sir Hopsalot the Third.”
Easton straightened slightly, adopting his most serious tone. “It’s a pleasure, Sir Hopsalot. How do you do?”
Bumbletruff was made to shake his paw—no, that was his ear—and Easton obliged and met the shake with two fingers and a dignified nod.
“I’m Kevin.”
“Well, Kevin,” Easton said, pointing to his chair near the ball pit. “Would you and Sir Hopsalot like to sit with me for a minute?”
Kevin hesitated, eyes scanning the room full of Littles who were already part of a world he hadn’t quite joined. He inched a bit closer to Easton.
Easton didn’t push. Just shifted his weight back and waited for Kevin to make a decision.
Kevin looked at the bunny. “He’s scared,” he mumbled before pushing his thumb back into his mouth like he’d revealed too much.
Easton leaned in. “You think maybe he’d be okay if he could see everything? I’ve got a perfect spot for him. Right on my lap.He can be the lookout while Kevin goes to meet some friends. What do you think?”
Kevin lifted Bumbletruff and held the bunny to his ear. Whispered around his thumb then nodded.
In a solemn exchange, he handed the stuffy over.
Holding the stuffy like it was a baby, Easton held out his hand. After a brief glance, Kevin took his hand and allowed Easton to escort him to the chair.
After Kevin sat down on the mat, Easton took his seat and cradled the bunny, adjusting him carefully so his threadbare button eyes faced the play area. “Sir Hopsalot, you have the most important job today. Don’t let Kevin out of your sight.”
Easton directed his attention to the Little. “Have you checked the play stations? What do you like most?”
Kevin cocked his head and scanned the colorful room. “They are too wild.” He pointed at the play pen.”
“Okay, that’s fine, you don’t have to join them.”
Kevin looked for a long time at the kitchen area. “I think they might be mean girls and don’t let me play with them.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I don’t know them.”
“But if you don’t know them, how do you know they are mean?”
“I dunno. I don’t like these questions.” His gaze riveted on the painting table. “I like glitter.”
“Sadie is a sweetheart. I know her and I can vouch for her.”
Kevin blinked fast. “Kay.” He struggled to his feet and with a shy nod at Easton, he scurried toward the painting table where Sadie was glitter-bombing a paper plate.
“You did well,” came Jayne’s voice from behind him.
Easton didn’t turn immediately. He adjusted the way the bunny sat on his lap, making sure the plush was upright and facing forward like a vigilant sentry. Kevin had already scuttledoff toward the low table where a group of Littles clustered around crayons and coloring books, like a new kid in school hoping not to be noticed too much or too little. They were already sneaking glances at him, and Sadie held out a crayon with glitter coated fingers.
Only when Sir Hopsalot was settled did Easton lean back slightly in the sturdy supervisor chair and glance at Jayne over his shoulder. “Thanks,” he murmured.
