Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“She knows how to use it, so I wouldn’t worry. I make her target practice.”
“Well, good for her. Maybe I should take a lesson or two myself.” She gave me a warm smile and then headed to the living room, where we watched Star unwrap her presents and exchanged a few of our own. I’d gotten Dream a necklace and had second thoughts about giving it to her.
“I love it,” she said. Her eyes lingered on mine a minute and then she held it close to her heart and had Star help her put it on.
Star had gotten the wrong idea, and when she was done securing the necklace, she walked over and climbed up on my knee. “Do you love Dream?”
“Of course, don’t you? We’re supposed to love our friends.” I smiled, and Dream’s face fell a bit, but then she recovered.
“That’s right. We all love one another. Your uncle is a special friend. And you are a special friend too.” She met my eyes and seemed to be waiting for what I had to add to that.
“Are you his girlfriend?” Dream’s eyes darted to me and her brow’s rose.
“She’s a girl, and she’s my friend.” I shrugged, not wanting to give Star any false hope. “I care about her a whole lot.”
“Are you going to stay with us, Dream?”
“I’ll stay as long as your uncle lets me.”
“You’ll let her stay, won’t you Uncle Chance? You can be my new mommy and daddy.” Not only had I sworn not to ever let Star call me daddy, but I didn’t like the fact that she was already getting unhealthy ideas about us and what our relationship meant.
“Why don’t we go out and I’ll teach you to ride your bike.” I stood up, and her eyes widened as she turned and ran to get her bike from where it was parked by the front door.”
“I’m sorry, Chance, I didn’t know she felt that way.”
“Me either. I guess we shouldn’t give her any false hope or expectations until we figure this out.” I wanted to grab her and kiss her and tell her she had no choice but to stay.
She held her stomach and turned a little pale. “I think I should go put something on my stomach.” She stepped away in a hurry to go to the kitchen, and I grabbed Star’s new helmet and headed outside.
Cynthia showed up about the time Star had her first crash, and after we bandaged and kissed all her booboos, we got her right back on the bike. I worked with her a few more hours and then we went inside once she felt she had it down enough to try again later. By then, the ladies had gotten dinner nearly ready, and most of that was because Cynthia had cooked the turkey all night.
“Liza and Brady are stopping by after dinner,” said Dream, as I passed by the kitchen on the way to clean up.
“That’s great, maybe Star and Brady can play with some of her new toys.” I knew my niece needed to meet as many kids as possible, and with her being a little older than the boy, maybe she’d have better confidence.
We ate dinner an hour later, and then after, Liza and Brady came to play. “You’re looking a bit green,” said Liza as she and Dream walked into the living room.
“I did this yesterday. After I ate, I got really queasy.” She took a seat next to her friend on the couch, and the two sat talking to Cynthia in a conversation that I felt completely left out of. It never failed when women got together they started to compare things only women could understand, like their bodies and their cycles. I busied myself with Star and Brady who was much younger and only knew a few words. Star thought she’d be his tutor and teach him more, so we’d gotten some of her new storybooks, and she read him a story. When she finished, I clapped for her.
“Well, done, kiddo. Do you know that you read that whole book without any problems?” I had a feeling her poor reading was more about her confidence in front of the other kids instead of her inability to read well.
“Brady doesn’t laugh at me. He’s just a little baby.” I glanced over to Dream who had missed it all. She was talking about her breasts and how tender they’d been with her cycles. I tuned it out and laughed when Star told Brady I was part robot.
Liza and Brady eventually left, and after walking them out, Dream returned and ran for the bathroom.
“She’s been queasy all day,” Cynthia whispered so Star couldn’t hear. “I was listening to the things she was saying, and it’s very curious.” She got up and moved closer.
“What’s very curious?”