Page 58 of Finding Hope

Sitting up and pushing wild curls from her eyes, she grins and gives me a glimpse of the grown-up Evie to come. She’s not a toddler anymore.

“Don’t mind me, I was just testing her. She passed.”

Frowning, I sit down beside her. “She passed?”

“Uh-huh. I thought she was gonna give in to peer pressure for a second there. Shealmostdid, but she found her spine.”

“You’re a real shit, you know that?”

She flashes a cheeky grin. “I’m just testing her for you, Jack. Gotta make sure she’s good enough.”

“My name isUncleJack, and good enough for what?”

“For you, silly. If she’s going to be my aunty, then she has to know how to keep me straight. Weallknow I need the guidance. The guys in this family are marshmallows, so it’s up to the women to take charge.”

I force a laugh to cover the cramping in my stomach. “First of all, you’re trouble, Evelyn. Not even I can keep you straight.”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s literally what I just said! Were you even listening?”

“Second of all, no. She’s your teacher, that’s it. You already have enough aunties. This family doesnotneed more women.”

“So why’d she stay here last night, then?”

“Because–”

“And why’d she stay at your house that time?”

“What time?”

“That time she yelled at you.”

Fuccckkkk.“You saw that?”

“Of course.” She rolls her eyes. “The whole world saw. You guys were loud.”

“You haven’t said anything to her about that, have you?”

“No. That would be embarrassing, and girls have to stick together.”

“Jesus, Smalls. How old are you again?”

She rolls her eyes for the third time. “Not old enough for coffee, but old enough to chug syrup… apparently.”

The older kids filter into the living room, then the toddlers come in soon behind, and as each kid joins us, the noise level rises exponentially.

Britt is yet to come into the living room, but she has to know everyone’s awake, so I don’t bother hiding out any longer. Tucking Smalls under my arm just like I did yesterday when Brad the Bore was grabbing at Bambie’s face, I lead my expansive and noisy family into the large kitchen.

As soon as our eyes meet, she stops and points the spatula. “Did she ask you for coffee? Because she asked me, and I said no.” Britt’s unsure eyes study mine. “That was the right answer, right? I’m pretty sure she’s too young for coffee.”

“Yeah, you’re good.” I squeeze Evie to stop her giggles. “She was just being a turd. What shemeantto ask for was hot chocolate.”

“Oh, right.” Turning, Bambie studies the kitchen. “I can make hot chocolate if you want. That’s easy.”

“No, it’s fine.” I shove Evie forward. “She can get it herself. She’s been doing it since she was four.” I look toward the ever-growing stack of pancakes. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s fine. I was hungry, and I didn’t want cold pizza for breakfast. It only takes two minutes to whip up a batch.”

I look toward the counter, to the large mixing bowl and whisk. “You made them from scratch?”

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