Page 104 of My Eternal Light

Meryn’s face scrunched up. I’m gonna be a sister.

Oh, really? Did your mother say she wanted another child?

Nope! She said, popping her ‘p’.

Your mother will have to help you be a sister.

Nut uh. I’m gonna do it myself.

Do you want sisters?

Meryn shook her head. Girls are cousins.

So, you want brothers?

Yup!

How many?

Five! Meryn held up her hand. Dis many!

Eamon, can you help me for a second? Violet called out sounding like she was across the room.

Be right back, baby girl.

Meryn kept coloring, though she was staring straight ahead, her eyes unfocused. One wolfie, twee witches annnn one toofers. All for me.

Kendrick stood and got closer. “Gods above,” he whispered.

Heavy footsteps had Meryn snapping out of whatever she had been looking at.

Daddy, can I have dog?

We’ll see.

Can I be a witch for Halloweiner?

Eamon choked as he laughed. Please ask me that in front of your mother.

Okay.

A witch huh? How about a fairy? With a pretty golden dress.

No.

Why not?

No wings daddy.

I can make you wings.

They colored for a bit more, until they heard a clock chime in the background.

What do you want to have for dinner?

Steak.

Violet! Did your family own a cattle farm in the past?

---