Page 56 of Strangely Normal

“Yeah,” I said on a sigh.

“What exactly is going on? I thought you were there to be a companion for Nicky’s daughter.”

“I am. Finley is a lot of fun. We’re having a blast together. I’ve never had a friend that I’ve bonded with so quickly as Finley. And she has a pet pig.” That comment pulled Sophie’s attention away from the Barbie. Both dolls were naked now, and the clothes were scattered on the floor.

She hopped up on the couch. “She has a pig?”

“Yep, and he wears t-shirts and an earring just like a pirate.”

“Can you bring him here so we can pet him?”

“No, Some Pig doesn’t like to travel.”

Mom laughed. “Some Pig?”

I waved her question away. “It’s a long story.” Sophie crawled into my lap. “So, tell me more about this job Dad’s taking.”

“There are bears,” Sophie said.

“It’s a beautiful place, Edie,” Mom said. “I wish you were coming with us. We’re so excited about it, but it’s going to be really hard leaving you down here alone.”

“I’m not alone.” I looked toward the kitchen again.

“You haven’t really explained why you showed up with the brother.”

I could feel my cheeks warm. “We’ve sort of bonded too.”

Janie jumped into her lap holding both dolls. Sophie grabbed hers back, although she might have grabbed Janie’s. Now that they were both naked, it was hard to tell.

“The son of a famous rock star, be careful, Edie. Don’t get your heart broken.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom.”

“Eden, as far as I’m concerned no one is good enough for you, but—”

“Mom, I’m not a ninny. I’ll be fine.”

She put her arms around me and kissed my cheek. “I know you’re not a ninny. I missed you so much.” She kissed me again and then Sophie and Janie followed. The three of them kissed me all over my face until we were laughing so hard we all fell on the floor in a heap.

“Yeehaw!” Dad’s yell snapped us out of the frenzied kiss session. “Well, I’ve done it. Jude King, a true burger eater, has given me his seal of approval on my onion, cheddar, and bacon burger. I’m taking this recipe up north. I think I’ll call it the King.”

“I’m honored,” Jude said wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Mom stood and lowered her hand for me to take. “I’m just glad we don’t have to eat any more burgers. My heart valves were closing up just smelling the grease.”

I walked to the kitchen. “So, Dad, do I get a burger or does my opinion not count? I mean I know I’m not a King, but I’ve had my share of burgers.”

“Coming right up.”

“Oh, but Dad, I don’t want any onions or bacon or mayonnaise.”

Dad rolled his eyes at me. “Yeah, Edie, you’re a regular burger connoisseur.”

Chapter 18

We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon talking mostly about Jude’s dad and listening to Black Thunder music just in case Jude hadn’t heard it enough in his lifetime. At one point, Sophie and Janie climbed up on each side of Jude and fell asleep against him. It was a picture I would keep in my mind forever. Good byes took a long time, and Mom, Janie, Sophie, and I cried. They promised to call the moment they got up north to give me their new number.

We stepped out on the balcony and there, standing on the street looking as out of place as a polar bear in the middle of the desert, was a sleek, white limo.

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