THE TICKLE FIGHT

SHORT STORY 2

Mildred was sitting at a table with her friends, drawing. The teacher had instructed them to draw the most important thing in their lives, and the girls were excitedly picking out their materials. Mildred chose a white piece of paper, and when her teacher asked her what she was going to draw, she replied with enthusiasm, "I'm gonna draw Mommy and Daddy!" The teacher smiled and complimented her choice, but hushed her when she yelled in excitement.

Mildred drew two stick figures, one slightly taller than the other, with a smaller figure in the middle wearing a pink skirt. All three were smiling widely, and the teacher asked her, "You love your family a lot, don't you?" Mildred confirmed, "Yes! I love mommy and Daddy so much! Mommy and Daddy also loves me lots! And each other! Lots!"

Mildred shared an exciting story with her teacher, "When I woke up last night and got up to wake Mommy because I was thirsty, I saw Mommy and Daddy tickling each other!" she exclaimed, giggling and waving her hands in the air. The teacher looked surprised, "Tickling?" She asked and Mildred confirmed, "Yes! Daddy was on top of Mommy and they were having a tickle fight! I don't think daddy was playing fair, though. Mommy was making all weird sounds." She tilted her head and pushed her bottom lip out. "Are you sick Mrs Thompson?" The teacher cleared her throat and tried to hide her reddening cheeks.

Mrs Thompson stuttered. "N-no, darling, I'm f-fine. But that's very nice. Your parents really love each other. It's a pretty picture and you're doing a good job." She ruffled Mildred's black hair, and the little girl grinned, revealing her front teeth. Mildred continued to color the blue sky, and added a yellow sun and some trees, finishing her work by drawing a big red heart shape to circle around the stick figures. She proudly handed the drawing to the teacher who hung it on the wall, making Mildred feel happy. She ran off to play with her friends.

"Mildred! Your dad is here to pick you up!" Mildred jumped up from the floor in excitement and ran to the male who had his arms open and waiting.

"Daddy!" she screamed, as he lifted her up and spun her around in the air.

"Hello , Milly! How are you?" Benjamin asked.

"I drew a pretty picture! I wants to show it to you Daddy!" He let her down and she ran to get the drawing. Benjamin watched his little girl with a fond smile.

"Um, Mr. Johnson?" Benjamin turned around to face Mildred's teacher who had a nervous, but stern look on her face.

"Yes?" He straightened his sleeves and looked at the woman questioningly.

"I'm really happy you and your wife are all lovey-dovey, but please make sure you lock the door. Mildred told me you were having a tickle fight..." Benjamin stared at her blankly, his cheeks turning red.

"Y-yes... I-i'm sorry," he stuttered. Mildred came back and gave the drawing to Benjamin.

"Here, here! Look! Huh? Daddy, are you sick?" She tugged his pant leg and looked up.

"Daddy is doing great, Mildred! I am just missing Mommy. But look at this beautiful drawing my little angel made, almost as beautiful as you!" Benjamin lifted Mildred up and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek. She giggled and hugged him tightly.

"I want to go home and see Mommy!" Mildred clapped her hands with excitement and said goodbye to her teacher. The teacher shook her head and waved as they left.

"Mommmyyyyyy!" Mildred ran towards the person standing in the kitchen, cooking dinner for their family of three.

"Hey there, honey!" Melissa picked Mildred up and hugged her tightly, peppering her cheeks with kisses.

Benjamin handed the drawing to her. "Our angel is a gifted artist who loves her family the most. Look at what she drew," said Benjamin. Melissa took the drawing from her husband and squealed with joy. "Mildred baby, did you draw this? It's so adorable and amazing! You are so talented, my dear!" Tears welled up in her eyes as she praised their daughter. "Thank you, mommy. I love you and Daddy so much," Mildred said, hugging her mom. "We love you so much more," they said in unison, and Mildred scampered off to her room.

"Hey, Melissa, missed you, babe." Benjamin leaned in for a kiss.

"Mmm, missed you too." Melissa giggled and returned the affection.

Benjamin chuckled and pulled Melissa into a hug, swaying back and forth. After the hug, he pecked her on the lips. "Hey, umm, Melissa?"

Melissa was looking for magnets to put the drawing on the fridge when she replied, "Yes, dear?"

"Last night, Mildred saw us making love."

Melissa stopped in her tracks and turned around, her face turning slightly pale. She began to shake and blabber incoherent words, causing Benjamin to laugh.

"Hey, this is not funny! Oh no, we have ruined her innocence! Benjamin, this is your fault! I told you it wasn't a good idea when she's at home. Oh dear God, what am I gonna do?" Melissa pulled her hair in panic, but Benjamin chuckled and pulled her into a hug, kissing her lips.

"She's small and didn't know what we were doing. She thinks we had a tickle fight." Melissa stopped squirming and pressed her forehead against Benjamin's chest.

"You okay, babe?" Benjamin asked, looking down at her.

Melissa hummed and looked up, her eyes big and her lower lip trembling. "She...SHE IS SO CUTE, BENJAMIN! WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR LITTLE ANGEL FROM DIRTY STUFF! YOU HAVE TO PROMISE TO NEVER-"

Benjamin placed his hand over Melissa's mouth. "Shh, don't shout! And no, babe! She will discover those things herself, and we will not prevent that. That's exactly what your parents did, and did you like it?" Melissa looked at him, then averted her eyes.

"W-well, n-no, but...she's so small and cute!" Benjamin chuckled and bent down to kiss his pouting wife.

"So are you, my little chick" Melissa gasped and hit Benjamin's arm. "Benjamin Johnson! How dare you!"

The two made out in the kitchen. Benjamin pushed Melissa against the pantry, and she hooked her arms behind his neck. Small giggles escaped their lips as they shared not-so-innocent pecks.

"Daddy, are you trying to steal Mommy's chewing gum? Don't do it, that's mean!" The two quickly separated when they heard Mildred's voice. She ran to them and hugged Melissa's legs.

"H-honey it's okay. We were just playing!" Melissa laughed nervously, picking the little girl up and kissing her cheek.

"Benjamin darling, take the lasagna out of the oven for me, please." He nodded and Melissa carried Mildred to the highchair and seated her down. She went on to set the table, pouring apple juice into a sippy cup. Benjamin placed the casserole onto the table and gave his wife a quick peck on the cheek. They sat down and enjoyed a nice and cozy family dinner in their little love bubble.