The big dude

It had been a long time since Tommy last saw him but he held out his hands anyway as the somewhat familiar stranger took him in his arms.

"You've grown since the last time I saw you, haven't you Little Dude?" The big dude smiled.

"He has," Didi agreed as she gave Trixie a bottle of formula. "And this is Trixie. She's five months old."

"A little dudette! I like that."

"Thank you. It wasn't easy having to bring them both here today but you'll be surprised how generous other teachers can be. Now what can I do for you Ramon?"

Ramon smiled, putting Tommy down as he sat across from his former teacher. "I need your recommendation for graduation in a couple months Mrs. P."

"Of course. I'll be happy to be a recommendation for you Ramon and this isn't any of my business but do you know what career you want to pursue after graduation?" Didi asked.

Tommy stopped playing with the blocks Didi had brought for him to play with as Trixie stopped drinking her bottle, seeing Ramon smile warmly at them.

"I don't know. I've been thinking about working with little dudes and dudettes like those two but I can't decide which career path I wanna take," he confessed.

"You don't have to decide right away, Ramon, but whatever career you do choose in the future when the time calls for it, I'll support you all the way," Didi smiled. She chuckled, seeing Tommy give Ramon a thumbs up. "And so does Tommy even though he has no idea what we're talking about."

Ramon laughed, ruffling the growing hair that Tommy had coming in affectionately and played peek-a-boo with Trixie before he stood up and took his recommendations paper.

"Thank you for your help Mrs. P. I really appreciate it," The high schooler smiled.

Didi picked up Tommy's blocks and put them away before gathering Trixie in her arms, giving Ramon a small smile in return.

"Anytime Ramon."

Grabbing his mommy's hand, Tommy looked up at Ramon. He may had looked bigger from the last time he saw him but he was still the guy who declared him Little Dude in front of his mommy and other grownups.

To the toddler, he was the big dude and that was the way he liked it as Tommy happily waved goodbye to Ramon and giggled.