EPILOGUE
EXCERPTS FROM TAY’S LITTLE BOOK OF WORTH
Guilia
Dearest Tesore,
Since you have come into my life—with your sunshine smile and your need for never-ending pranks—my days have been that much brighter. You deserve the world and I intend to give it to you. Thank you for loving me, for supporting me, and for showing me the sides of you that you keep hidden. I can only hope to keep discovering the joys that are you, every single day.
So I asked some of your friends to put into words what you mean to them. You are a very special person, and the effusiveness of these notes shows that. I am so delighted that I get to share my life with you.
Your
Daddy xxxxx
Mandi
Tay, you were one of the first friends that I made, here at Rawhide Ranch. I’d lost my Little and I felt completely adrift. And then I moved in with you and we had months of laughter and fun together. Bowlfuls of kidnapped ice cream, and discussions about queerness and love that helped me feel seen.
You made me realize that I don’t have to be in Littlespace all of the time, in order to feel valid as a Little, that I am enough, just as I am. I never truly believed it before, and you are one of the people who helped me see it. I can never thank you enough for that. Be happy, dear friend; you deserve it. Xxxxx
Holly
You are an excellent human. You made me feel welcome when I moved here, and I can’t wait to see you start this new journey with Guilia. But honestly? The biggest you gave me, was the gift of embracing my true self. I’ve also gotten to be authentic around you, to put aside the mask I usually cling to, and get welcomed into a world of pranks just as I am.
Ice cream heists forever! (only joking, Guilia)
Sadie
When I think of you, I think of pranks—of course—but also I think of food. Of how you put together picnics for your friends and feed us delicious homemade pasta when we’re sad. Your pasta merely illustrates the kind of person you are: one who loves their friends and looks out for everyone. You are a beloved member of the Littles’ Wing and I’m so glad to call you my friend. xx
Lily
You are the heart of our kitchen team, Tay. You bring lightness when people are down, and you’re also an excellent cook. Cooking with you is a joyful thing, exploring flavors and exciting combinations together. But more than anything, I love cookingforyou. When you eat food, your pure joy and delight is pleasure. I envy your easy laughter and your ability to take delight in the simplest of pleasures. May that never leave you.
Nico
Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I wish I could express enough how much I love you. You are an excellent friend, and so much fun to work with. I’m glad that you and Hannah are in the kitchen with me; it’s good to keep the Tops on their toes!
Your passion for cooking and for pasta is inspiring. You throw yourself so wholeheartedly into every dish, and I want to be more like that. More adventurous, more sure of myself. I hope you can see how much we love you.
Because we do. Very much.
Hannah
You are a very special person, Tay. I know of very few people who could have turned their punishment into such a beautiful gift for someone else. Working with you to find the perfect flavors was a lot of fun, but more importantly, it showed who you truly are: someone who is kind and funny and thoughtful.
I hope that this book reminds you of how important you are to so many people.
Faith and Bex
The first proper date we ever had was a picnic by the lake. You’d put together the perfect lunch for us, with so many tiny details that made the whole experience all that more special. Ever since, our friendships have blossomed, with you always making time for us when we come to visit, and even coming to visit us off the Ranch. Thank you. And here’s to many more picnics with all of us together. Xx
The Caterpillars
Dear Tay,
Thank you for our ice cream breakfast, and for making the most delicious food ever. You are so lovely and are fun to play with when you visit the nursery. Even though you’re a bigger Little, you still like us, and we like you too.
Derek
Little one, you are a valued member of our community, both as a Little and as a member of the Italian restaurant team. You are kind and your friendship with Sadie has brought her much joy. There is a reason I have often put new and anxious Littles as your roommate—I know that you will look out for them, embrace them, and make them feel at home. Thank you for being a safe space for them.
And thank you for being you. Your uniqueness is something to be treasured, for we treasure it very much at Rawhide Ranch.
The End
