Page 12 of Nocere

"A lot of siblings?"

I shook my head. "Foster care. Some of the houses had half-a-dozen kids or more at times."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that," Samirah's voice dropped an octave. "That must've been hard."

I nodded, glancing to her then back to Luna. She didn't say anything for some time after that, and we sat together on the swings while watching Luna play.

Alice opened the screen door and joined us a few minutes later. Luna ran to her right away, then pointed over to the treehouse portion of the swing set. "Where's Mommy?"

"Having a nap, sweetie. Let's you and me play." Alice dropped her down by the ladder so that she could climb up.

"But I want Mommy to play, too."

"She will when she wakes up." Alice glanced over at us and scowled. I hid my amusement and bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing.

"She's been clingy to Stella lately," muttered Samirah.

"How come?" I asked, turning my attention to her.

"Stella had to leave in the middle of the night twice recently and they think it scared her. Plus developmental age and all."

"It makes sense," I said, watching as Alice climbed into the covered portion of the treehouse with her daughter. The two of them began a game of pretend pirates and listening to them made me smile.

Jordan joined us outside and scurried over to the stone patio. In the center, a stone fire pit sat as the focal point. She crouched down and turned it on, letting the flames rise from the fake coals.

"Oh, Rosie," called Jordan in a sing-song voice, holding up a pair of scissors. "Are we layering that hair or what?"

"Um…" My cheeks burned again and I laughed. "Here?"

"Girl, I am the Mistress of Hair anywhere." She waved me over and I glanced at Samirah who grinned while she watched.

"All right." I stood from the swing, and wrapped my arms around myself as I made my way over.

"Have a seat on the bench here. I'll be right back," said Jordan before prancing off back inside.

"You're brave." Samirah took a seat on the bench adjacent to mine. "Letting her cut your hair on the fly."

"I've been wanting to do it, but haven't asked or anything."

"She must have a sixth sense for follicle needs."

I laughed, nodding as I looked up to Jordan when she returned. She set down a spray bottle, combs, and towels on the bench beside me before draping a smock around my shoulders.

"You have all of this at home?" asked Samirah.

"I have all of this everywhere." Jordan grinned while she ran her fingers through my hair after fastening the drape. "Rosie, I have an idea, but I will need your permission."

"What's that?" I looked up at her and she winked.

"Bangs. What do you think?" She tugged a bit of hair in front of my face. "I think it will look super cute."

"Are you sure?"

"I am. Trust me?"

"With my hair, maybe. Anything else, I'm still worried about the cat comment," I teased and she laughed.

"So long layers and bangs, yeah?" She wagged her brows at me, and her excitement nearly radiated from her. I glanced between her and Samirah, but Samirah beat me to speaking.

---