Page 9 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

Though gremlins and brownies were intrinsically different in how they approached life, being family brought them closer. Their obsessions with their calling were the only difference. Each child had a chance at puberty to follow the path that made the most sense. It was a rare gremlin that chose both a brownie aspect and gremlin aspect and combined them into one.

“Katty, you haven’t seen this guy though,” Tony interrupted. He came out of the kitchen with a bowl of something delicious-smelling. Isadore’s mouth watered even as he scowled.

“Oh, but I have. If you were listening, you’d know that the kids and I chat with him at the library when we visit, and they think he’s fun. So, stop being a stick in the mud. Isadore likes him, and that’s more important than your silly impression.”

“Thank you, Katty.”

“Uncle Isa, can we play the farm game on your iPad? I like looking at the cute animals!” one of his nieces asked, stopping the conversation about Sebastian. Isadore was relieved. Having his motives questioned and debated wasn’t on his task list. Gods, all he wanted was for Sebastian to give him a chance and see how well they suited each other. And hopefully get a second date.

CHAPTER 5

Crash: Omg omg omg

Kazmier: What happened?

Crash: I think I have a date, and I’m gonna throw up

Kazmier: Aww it’s not that bad. You’re still talking.

Crash: Not helping

Kazmier: Fine, tell me about this date.

Crash: What if I screw things up?

Kazmier: You won’t. It’ll be amazing

Crash: What if I embarrass myself in front of a lot of people and the date?

Kazmier: If you do, smile and move on. It’ll be a good story.

Crash: I’ll never be able to face him again. You don’t understand.

Kazmier: If he truly likes you, he will help you get past it.

Crash: I have a curse, and it’s going to ruin everything.

Kazmier: Walk me through it then <3

“Are you sure I should wear the stormtrooper shirt? I don’t want to scare him away with my nerdiness.”

“But you love that shirt. You always look so happy and relaxed with it on,” Sammi cajoled, laughter evident in her tone, even over the phone. “Put on the chinos. They make that ass of yours pop.”

“I’ll give you the pants, but I’m not sold on the shirt or that you think my ass pops.” Sebastian studied the tiny stormtroopers and then his Darth Vader black on black. Shrugging into the long-sleeved shirt, he gazed at himself in the mirror. “I think Vader needs to be shown off.”

“Aww, Sebastian, not that one.” Her tinny voice whined loudly from the cell phone as he turned on the selfie function and snapped a picture. “Sebby, too much black. Wear the stormtrooper shirt.”

“I like the Vader one.” He resisted the urge to stomp his foot, but only by a smidge.

“Fine, if it makes you happy. So now let’s play with your hair,” she demanded. Sighing, he went to the bathroom and followed her precise instructions as he prepared for the day ahead. He had a date. Today. With Isadore. Sebastian’s stomach dropped, and he had to grab hold of the sink. This was going tobe the end of his life. His curse was going to make its presence known, and Isadore would never want to be seen with him again.

Sebastian blushed as his older patrons oohed and ahhed over his appearance. Three ladies stood at the desk, clustered around his computer monitor, giving him advice about how to behave while out with Isadore.

“Now, boy, make sure you treat him nice. We want you to be with the right person. Who’s treating? You or him?” Ms. Smith turned to her friend at the desk. “I am never sure with homosexual relations. Do you know?”

Sebastian opened his mouth and closed it again. Heat bloomed over his face. No way was he going to live down this conversation. “Yes, ladies, I will do my best.”

“Since it will be his first date with someone important,” Sammi murmured as she walked by with a stack of books.

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