Page 26 of Stolen Kisses

“Yeah, I’m a big girl. I go topwe-kindergarten. Does Austin and Lachlan go to school here?” Kenny asks with excitement.

Emma laughs lightly, as does her friend. “Yes, they do. Austin is in Ms. Summer’s class.” She points to her friend. “And Lachlan is in Mr. Templeton’s class.”

Emma stands up. “Uh, hi, Theo.” The way she’s fidgeting as shegreetsme makes me think she’s embarrassed for some reason. “This is a surprise.” She tucks a loose lock of milk chocolate-colored hair behind her ear. “This is my friend and colleague, Kate Summer.” She gestures to the woman next to her. “She teaches kindergarten.”

Kenny bounces on her toes. “Will you be my teacher next year?”

Kate bends forward. “Maybe. Won’t that be great?”

“Yeah. You’re sopwetty. You’ve got hair like a DisneyPwincess!” Kate and Emma laugh and I’m relieved they’ve got a sense of humor.

I hold my hand out to Kate in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Kate. I’m Theo, Emma’s neighbor.” Kate looks between Emma and me with a knowing smile on her faceandwide eyes, her eyebrows almost reaching her hairline.

“Nice to meet you, Theo. Emma didn’t mention that she had a new neighbor already.” She looks at Emma with that look women get when they’re not happy they’ve been kept in the dark.

“I was about to take Kenny for a milkshake.We’ll see you later.” I dip my chin to the ladies in goodbye.

“Bye, Emma. Seeya, Ms. Summer.” Kenny steps in close, hugging Emma around her legs.

“Bye, Kenny. Bye, Theo.”

* * *

We enterCoffee and Cookiesand make our way to the counter. “So, what flavor milkshake would you like?”

Kenny studies the menu board with interest, though I’m pretty sure she can’t read all that much yet. “Stwabewwyis myfavowite.”

“Okay, let’s get you a strawberry milkshake then.”

I order our milkshakes along with a chocolate-chip cookie, the size of Kenny’s head, for her and a muffin for me, then we take a seat in a booth near the window.

“Did you have a fun day at school today?”

“Oh yeah. I missed myfwiends. It was so fun to see them again.”

“But you just saw them last Friday.”

“Yeah, but I miss them.”

I sort of feel guilty that I kept Kenny away from her friends for that first week, but I wanted to get to know her better before life and routine got in the way. She must havereallymissed them over that week if she misses them only after a weekend.

A young woman with a bright smile delivers our food and drinks to the table. “Enjoy your treats.”

I slide the strawberry milkshake toward Kenny, along with her cookie. Kenny takes a sip of her drink,then screws up her cute little face.

“What’s wrong?”

“This tastesyuck!” She wipes her tongue with her fingers as though she can get rid of the taste.

“But you said strawberry was your favorite.” I’m confused, so I take a drink for myself to checkifit tastes as it should. It tastes like a freaking strawberry milkshake to me. I never liked strawberry myself, I’m a chocolate man. My sister always loved strawberry milkshakes …and… things click into place.

“Yourmom loved strawberry milkshakes.” Kenny nods with a smile. “Is that why you chose a strawberry milkshake? Because it was Mommy’s favorite?”

She looks down at the table, then back up to me, her bottom lip wobbling. I reach across the table and take her little hand in mine. “You’re not in trouble. I just want to know if that’s why you chose it.”

“It’s Mommy’sfavowite. So now it has to be myfavowite.”

This little girl just broke what was left of my heart. Getting up from my side of the booth, I move into the seat next to my niece, so I can wrap my arm around her and pull her in close to me. I kiss the top of her head. “Mommy wouldn’t want you to change the things you like best for her. She would want you to still be Kenny.” I squeeze hertight. “What isyourfavorite flavor milkshake?”

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