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Dennis Jenkins, 60, red-haired Niklaus Jenkins, 1, and Denise Massey, 22, unravel their foldable chairs on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at the First Street parade in Kennett, Mo.
Denise Massey, 22, embraces her 1-year-old son, Niklaus Jenkins, while getting ready for bed on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. Born in July 2023, little red-haired Niklaus is learning to speak and walk.
Dennis Jenkins, 60, enjoys a slow start to the day with one of his construction workers outside a rental property on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. Dennis maintains about 20 rental properties around Kennett, but struggles to find tenants
Dating for two years, Denise Massey, 22, and Dennis Jenkins, 60, share a hug on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo.
Surrounded by hired hands, Denise Massey, 22, Niklaus Jenkins, 1, and Dennis Jenkins, 60, check in on a roofing project on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at one of their rental properties in Kennett, Mo.
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Denise Massey, 22, passes her 1-year-old son, Niklaus Jenkins, to her partner, Dennis Jenkins, 60, on the couch on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. The couple met through Dunklin County Cab and started dating a little over two years ago.
Denise Massey, 22, gives her little 1-year-old son, Niklaus Jenkins, a bath before bedtime on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo.
An upset Niklaus Jenkins, 1, waits for his mom, Denise Massey, 22, to bring him food on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo.
Denise Massey, 22, drives a lawnmower down the street to her mom's house on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Kennett, Mo. Her mom, ‘Mimi,’ 47, lives a few minutes away in Kennett and is a big fixture in Niklaus’ young life.
Denise Massey, 22, sits next to her partner, Dennis Jenkins, 60, as he gets his blood pressure checked by a nurse during a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in St. Louis, Mo. Dennis retired after 40 years in the Navy.
Dennis Jenkins, 60, shares a tender moment with his 1-year-old son, Niklaus Jenkins, 1, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Dunklin County Cab in Kennett, Mo.
Niklaus Jenkins, 1, Denise Massey, 22, and Dennis Jenkins, 60, grab breakfast as a family at John’s Waffle & Pancake House on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Kennett, Mo.