Page 40 of Castle's Cards

“I’m confident I can get her back next turn.”

Izzy’s turn flies by and it’s back to me. If I can just roll a nine I’ll win all the cash in free parking. I shake the dice rigorously before holding them out to Addy.

“Blow on them for luck.”

Izzy snorts.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. There’s a reason she’s so bitter she won’t play with me,” Izzy smirks.

Addy narrows her eyes at her little sister before blowing on the dice. I roll them onto the table and get… a ten.

After landing on Kentucky Avenue the game is over. Since I owe Izzy more money than anything I have is worth. Izzy cackles as we pack the game up.

“I told you.”

“I still think you cheat,” Addy pops up.

“You don’t let me be banker or do properties. So how could I cheat?” Izzy asks Addy incredulously.

“I think you hide money up your sleeve.”

“You caught me. I carry Monopoly money everywhere on the off chance that I’ll play a game and need to beat someone.”

Izzy chuckles good naturedly. Addy leans forward and smiles at her sister.

“Carter and I were talking today about Nate and how he wants to go to school for tech. That’s really neat.”

Izzy beams.

“Isn’t it? He’s so smart. I’m lucky to have found someone smart like him.”

Addy smiles.

“Yeah. But I was wondering what your plans for college are. I know last time we talked about you going for equine studies but we haven’t talked in a while. If we want to get early admissions we need to start thinking about schools now.”

Izzy freezes as she puts the lid on the box. She licks her lips before turning to look at Addy.

“Right. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.”

Addy perks up, looking at Izzy with excitement.

“Have you already decided where you want to go?”

Izzy’s eyes flit to me as her face turns red with embarrassment. She looks down at her feet.

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Just that…” Izzy sighs. “I don’t know if I want to go to college, Addy.”

Izzy looks up and meets Addy’s gaze. But it’s as if Addy is frozen from shock. She stares at Izzy, the only movement coming from her the rise and fall of her chest with every breath she takes and the blinking.

“Addy?” I ask, leaning in to touch her arm. She reacts, jumping before smiling at Izzy.

“Sorry, I think I was hallucinating. Did you say you don’t want to go to college?”

Addy smiles but it’s not a friendly smile. No, it’s the kind of smile a mother gives their child when they’re giving the kid a chance to rethink what they’ve said. Izzy doesn’t take that chance, though. Instead, she simply reiterates what she said previously.

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