Page 32 of Even Ground

“He did. Should we watch Madagascar before I go home? We can sing the song.”

Her eyes light up. “Could we?”

“I’m sure it’s streaming on something. It’s a date, Miss Melly.”

She flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I love you.”

I plant a big kiss in her hair. “I love you too. Do you want to help me cook dinner?”

Melly nods.

“Should we put you in the oven for dinner?”

She blinks rapidly. “No. Don’t be silly, Pania.”

“Okay. Maybe not today.” I hug her tight. “Let’s go and see what’s in the kitchen to cook.”

She skips ahead of me all the way to the large freezer in the kitchen.

I swing open the stainless steel doors and scan the shelves. It’s packed with all kinds of things, but organised into sections which I’m grateful for.

“What do you feel like eating?”

Melly squeezes in front of me to take look. “I like it when you make meatballs.”

I ruffle her hair. “That’s easy. If I can find some mince, let’s do that. I’m sure there’ll be some spaghetti in the cupboard.”

Her hand darts in and pulls out a pack. “Mummy makes them for me sometimes.”

I close the doors and take the meat from her. “Good girl. I’ll pop this in some water to defrost and we’ll go watch a cartoon for a while.”

Running some lukewarm water in the sink, I place the meat pack in it and find some dried spaghetti in the pantry before taking Melly’s hand. She leads me into the living room where Cal and Ros are.

“Everything under control?” Ros asks.

“It sure is. I told Melly we could watch a cartoon while the meat defrosts. It won’t take long. And then she’s going to help me make dinner.”

Ros beams. “Just like your mom, Amelia.”

Melly clasps her hands together and twirls. No wonder her mother thinks she’ll follow in her father’s footsteps.

I pick up the TV remote and switch it on. Almost predictably, Nickelodeon comes up on the screen.

“SpongeBob!” Melly yells.

Cal chuckles. “Your father used to love SpongeBob when he was your age, Amelia.”

Her head nearly spins off her shoulders. “Really?”

He nods. “He sure did.”

I flop onto the couch, and Melly jumps up beside me. I hold out my arm and she snuggles into my side.

“Will you help me roll the meatballs once the mince is defrosted?” I ask.

She looks up at me. “I like that job.”

“It’s all yours.”

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