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“Wanna slide with me?” Senna runs over to me and clings to my pant leg.
“I can’t, sweetie.” I ruffle his hair, and he giggles. “I’m working!”
As I try to focus on my earpiece, Senna distracts me once again. “Now that you and daddy are dating, should I keep on calling you ‘aunt?’”
His question surprises me, and I stumble, trying to find the right words. I look at Amanda, who smiles at me for encouragement. After a moment, I answer, “An aunt can be a term for somebody you care about.”
“So, I can still call you Aunt Mia?” His eyes are wide, clinging to my every word.
“Yes!” I toss my paper cup into the nearby bin and reach out to him for a fist bump. Then I turn to Amanda. “Where’s Ethan?”
Before she can answer, Senna cuts in, “Daddy is giving autographs, and mommy said I can go play on the rides and meet her in the food court at five!” He points to his fancy wristwatch.
I look at Amanda, sensing something out of the ordinary. Leaving Senna alone seems unlike her, and I’m curious what’s going on.
“Oh, she must trust you!” I say and Senna beams with pride. “Did you go on all the rides already?”
“Yup!” he nods emphatically. “Now I’m going to challenge Howler the husky mascot to a race.”
I can’t help it and let out a snort.
“Actually, can you keep an eye on him?” Amanda asks. “He’ll be happy just to be around you.”
“What are you up to?” I ask, curious.
“I’ll tell you later,” she pleads, joining her hands in front of her chest. “Please?”
“Alright!” I agree, then turn my attention to Senna. “Let’s not race the poor mascot today. He’s had a tough day.” I put my hands on my knees and lean down to face Senna eye to eye. “Wanna to come work with me?”
“Sure!” he eagerly takes my hands, ready to follow me anywhere.
Senna becomes my little assistant for the afternoon. He helps me solve a leaking toy, reorder the line for the autograph session, order more food, and check the overbooked mascot areas.
It’s almost five and the event will be over at six. Senna seems just as tired as I am. I guide him to the food court. “Want a corn dog and a soda?”
“Oh, I love corn dogs!” he exclaims, running ahead of me.
At the corn dog stand, I order two corns dogs and two drinks, which we take to a nearby available bench.
“So, Senna…” I take a quick bite. “You don’t think I’m taking your mom’s place, do you?”
“No,” he says with his mouth full. “Mom explained everything to me. They’re no longer together, so daddy can have another girlfriend. And I’m glad that’s it’s you, Aunt Mia!”
He smiles, and it fills my heart with joy. Smiling back, my eyes widen when I spot Amanda in the distance, holding hands with a handsome silver fox of a man. “You know your mom can have a boyfriend too, right?”
Senna looks extremely upset at this. “Yes,” he finally says, swallowing a huge chunk of corn dog. “But I don’t want that to happen.”
“Why not?” I take a sip of my drink.
“If she does, she might have another baby, and then she won’t have as much time for me,” he says, his voice trembling a little.
“Oh, Senna,” I say gently, leaning in closer to him. “I know it’s scary to think about changes like that. But your mom loves you so much, and she will always make time for you, no matter what.”
That seems to cheer him up. I continue, “Plus I think you’d make a great older brother. Your father may have more kids too.”
“With you?” he looks at me.
I blush and go quiet for a moment, imaging him as an older brother. In that moment, I want to tell him, but I know it’s a bad idea. Telling Amanda is one thing, but a six-year-old is another. Senna won’t be able to keep a secret, and I have to tell Ethan first.
