Page 23 of The Enemy Face Off

Josie is sitting on the couch, keeping a watchful eye on her brother who's on the floor. She's the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen, with tousled dark blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and blue eyes that sparkle with curiosity. Jonah bears a striking resemblance to her. Same wide smile, same big blue eyes, hair slightly lighter and curlier.

"Josie, Jonah, we'd like to introduce you to someone," Mike says. "This is Milo. Your father."

Josie stays seated on the couch, but Jonah drops the blocks he was playing with and pushes to his feet. With a combination of determination and wobbliness, he toddles over to me, arms stretched out for balance.

"Hewwo," he says, tapping my leg.

I crouch down. "Hey, Jonah. Nice to meet you." I wince—did I really just saynice to meet youto a toddler? "What are you building over there?"

"I got house! See?"

"I'd love to see. Right after I say hello to your sister."

"Oh-tay," he says, and man, he is too cute for words.

I get up and Robyn joins me as I walk over to Josie. "She's a little shy at first," she whispers. "Takes her a little while to warm up to people."

"I can relate," I mutter back, then take a seat on the couch.

"Hey, Josie. How are you?"

"Good, thank you."

She's wearing a dress with colorful patterns and sandals, her feet dangling off the couch. She holds onto Robyn's hand but keeps her bright blue eyes fixed on me the entire time.

Not sure how to break the ice, I go with, "Do you like hockey? Or sports?"

She shakes her head and looks away. "No," she says quietly. "I don't."

Okay. That didn't work.

"What about books?" I ask, hoping for more luck. "Do you like to read?"

"Oh, yes," Robyn answers for her, rubbing Josie's arm. "Tell Mil—" Our eyes meet, and we exchange an awkward smile. Robyn tries again. "Tell your father about the book we bought yesterday."

"Green Eggs and Ham," Josie says softly.

"Oh. So you like to cook?" She and Robyn look at me funny. "That's the name of a cookbook, right?"

Josie looks up at her grandmother, and I hear Mike chuckle from the other side of the room. What am I missing here?

Josie starts laughing as Robyn explains thatGreen Eggs and Hamis a Dr. Seuss book.

"Oh, I knew that," I say, waving my hand in the air even though I have no idea who this doctor is or why he's writing a cookbook that my five-year-old daughter is reading.

But the ice has been broken, and that's all that matters.

I go over to help Jonah build his house. Well, I try to. He's more interested in knocking down whatever he starts rather than finishing it.

Josie sits on the floor, a few feet away from us, watching me intently.

I glance her way now and then, wanting her to feel included without overwhelming her.

She catches me looking and her cheeks turn red. "Do you like my dress?" she asks, bashfully.

"I do. It's very pretty."

"Pwitty! Pwitty!" Jonah raises his arms above his head.

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