Page 38 of Spirit Island

“If you wanthim to stop faster, cry. Mimic him. He understands that.”

Andreux asked,“Can you demonstrate?”

Jane looked atTerro, made a sad face, and sobbed, sucking her lower lip in as shebreathed. Terro calmed and gave her a shy smile before reaching outfor her.

Andreux said,“Masterful. Now what?”

“Cuddle him. Hewon’t try to rip your top off.”

“I see my sonand I have a lot in common.” He smiled and blinked as Terro turnedto hold onto him.

“Funny. Yousaid your hand slipped.”

Andreux startedto rock softly with their child. “I lied.”

She chuckled.“Just like Terro. Faked me out.”

“Does he alwaysnurse after transporting?”

“Yes. Fastfood. I am a high-calorie snack bar. I thought I would have driedup by now, but one headbutt, and off I go.”

“Perhaps I canpersuade him to leave you alone.”

“I am hopingthat I can find a snack that will fill the gap. I am slowly workingthrough cookies and pudding.”

“My mother canhelp with that. I was nearly as round as I was tall before Ialpha’d out.” He chuckled and put a huge hand on Terro’s back.

“If he’s happyand can still move the way he wants to, I will roll him to schoolif necessary.” She smiled. “As long as he’s kind but knows his ownworth.”

“You are a goodmom.”

She chuckled.“You have no idea how much junk food I have introduced him to. Ihave my moments, and then I don’t.”

There was asoft knock, and Andreux smiled. “They are going to be over hereevery twenty minutes.”

“How messed upis my hair, Andreux?”

“Just the rightamount, Jane.”

“Great.”

They walked tothe door, and his parents were there, along with Serin andDeno.

“Uh-oh.Busted.” She waved at the older couple, and they came in with thespirits of the island chain.

Orla walked inbehind them with Ligo and Iro.

Terro sniffedin the air and started yelling, “Anola!”

Andreuxmurmured, “What’s happening?”

“Put him downand watch.”

He set his sondown, and the little bare feet beat a path through the adult legsto Orla.

He demandinglyopened his arms at his sides, and Orla smiled and picked himup.

Jane grinned.“And that is his favourite adult person who isn’t me.”

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