Take 2 Times 2? Future Book 3?

4. Lets relax a LITTLE

I was laughing so hard I fell on my butt. The whole table including Bear and Panther were now laughing.

"Come on guys, let me get some food please"

Those words came out of my mouth perfectly clear.

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The whole table stopped laughing and stared at me. I was still laughing so hard tears were rolling down my cheeks.

Finally, when I could control myself enough to quit holding my sides and pay attention to what was going on around me, I saw the change in everyone.

I looked around confused and said "Wut, I oo somfing wong?" I was instantly on guard. I was nervous seeing everyone staring at me. I grabbed my bear and kitty and hid behind them. I was about to be in tears, and not the good kind.

Bear and Panther each put one of their hands up to stop anyone from talking. Then Bear said "Little cub, you just spoke normally. That's what got everyone's attention. You didn't do anything wrong. It just surprised them."

I was able to talk normally. I mean it was only for a moment, but I was able to do it. I have to figure out why. And how do I do it again? It was a glimmer that I could get unstuck!

Bear continued to talk before I could ask my questions. "And before you ask, yes it will happen again, but for now, don't push it." He looked at Panther and he nodded in agreement. "You relaxed. That is why you talked normally. The more you relax mentally, the more you will equalize. The more you equalize, the more you will be able to control you're Little side. And the more you can control you're Little side, the quicker you will no longer be stuck. Do you understand?"

"So oll I has o do is wewaks? But how?" I was cringing at how I sounded. This whole baby talk thing was hard. I was trying to not think about it as I only concentrated on Bear, but it was so hard. I could hear every syllable coming out wrong. God, it was maddening being trapped this way. I was trapped in my own head. Even my own body was betraying me.

"Relax, Max. Calm down. It'll be ok." I was grabbed from behind as Panther pulled me onto his lap. He was hugging me tightly as I noticed that I was shaking with my eyes never leaving Bear as I was held. I finally looked away from him and down at the stuffed animals in my hands. I could see that they were being squeezed by my hands and the arms of Panther. I rested my head against his chest and I could hear his heartbeat. That helped as I could also hear my own as well. Mine was pounding so loudly I thought it would come out my ears.

I concentrated on my breathing, and it started to slow. I guess I had started to hyperventilate when Panther grabbed me, but I was getting myself under control now. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I could feel the tears falling down my cheeks but ignored them. I finally opened my eyes and looked up at Panther. "Tanks, Pan-fer." I patted his arm and he started to release me. I grabbed his arm before he could let go all the way and held it. He got the hint and kept holding me.

I looked back at Bear and said "Sowe I..."

He put his hand up to stop me and said, "There's nothing to be sorry about. Right now, you are an..." He looked at Panther and smiled then back at me. "An emo? Or emotional roller coaster ride at the moment. I still don't know what that means, but you get my point." I giggled a little. But I knew he was trying to get me in a better mood.

"You, dear boy, need to be able to relax. And I know how hard that can be. These people" He gestured to everyone around. "Know what it's like. Everyone up here has to take time off to just have fun and relax, to blow off a little steam, like when you first got here. They were flying and having fun, remember?" I thought about it and then nodded my head. "That's how they relax. You need to let go and relax too. And with you being a Little, I think the best way for you to relax is to just let it happen. Be Little for now. Experience what it's like to be a kid again and don't be embarrassed about you're Little side. Remember it. Don't block it out like you normally do."