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“I do, it’s just…” she trailed off and exhaled into the receiver. “I know you’ll be wonderful with her, Roman, but I worry. I am her mother. I will always worry about her. Thinking that I won’t be there to look over her it makes me go a little crazy.”
“Baby, we’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Right. Ok, I’ll let you enjoy your day at the beach. I’m sorry your vacation turned into house play.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be.” When was she going to understand that?
“Ok.”
I helped Romina get out of the white sundress with red bows she had on, made sure her little swimsuit was all good, and her hair, that was long and sleek just like her mom’s, in a high ponytail. In the end I got compliments for not pulling her hair too hard. I had Catherinelle to thank for that. When we were young, Gino’s sister spent all her time chasing after my friends and I. She was never an annoying kid, she just wanted to be around her brother and since he loved her to death, we all bent to her will, played the princess game, attended tea parties with imaginary tea, and learned how to braid hair. She always made me help with her hair. So much so that I was happy when she decided to cut it in a short bob. I was tired of doing pigtails and French braids. Looks like now I was about to start all over again.
When we got to the edge of the water, a wave crashed at our feet and Romina stepped back.
“What is it, baby girl?”
“It’s cold.”
I mean, it was the sea, of course it was…patience, Roman. She’s your daughter, not one of your men. And she’s almost six.
“Come here.” I picked her up on my shoulders. “We’ll walk in together.”
I walked until the water reached my knees and Romina grabbed my neck a little tighter.
“Aren’t you cold?” She asked in that little, sweet voice of hers.
“I can manage.”
“But aren’t you scared?”
I was fascinated by her little curiosities. Romina wasn’t afraid to ask questions and I loved that about her.
“No. Are you?”
She reflected for a moment before answering.
“I like the sea. I like when the sun plays with it and the water sparkles, but it can be scary sometimes. It’s dark down there. What if I step on a fish and it gets mad and bites me?”
I would fry that motherfucker.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Fish don’t bite.”
“What if it’s a snake?”
“Then I’m here to protect you, but you don’t have to get in the water if you don’t want to.”
She took another moment and even though I couldn’t see her face, I could tell she came to a decision when she exhaled with determination.
“I’m good now. You can let me down.”
“Ok, but hold my hand. The water will be up to your elbows here.”
Another wave hit us right when I dropped her down and drenched her from head to toe. Well, at least she got used to the water temperature. After a few more minutes, Romina got in her element and started jumping around splashing water all around me.
“Roman?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“Can Maximus swim? I like playing with him.”
