Page 5 of Artemis

“Alexander the monkey.”

He thought about that. “Okay.”

Monkey yoga involved Alexander clinging to her while she moved slowly through various poses. Artemis had started doing it when he’d been too small to hold on, wearing him in a sling. Once he’d had enough grip strength, he alternated hugging her from behind or the front, depending on the pose. They both loved the bonding the exercise gave them.

“Want to help me choose what to wear tonight?” Artemis asked after she had run through the usual routine.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to a party to meet some new friends.”

“Will I get to meet them?”

“Only if I really like the person,” Artemis said.

“Okay.” Alexander followed her to her room. “You should wear the flower shirt.”

“Why?” Artemis stripped out of her workout clothes behind a screen and put on a robe.

“Because I like it.”

Artemis smiled. “That’s a great reason. What should I wear on the bottom half of me?”

“A swishy skirt. But you have to spin for me,” Alexander said seriously.

“I can do that. And shoes?”

“Can I play with them?”

“Only if you’re really careful.” Artemis headed for the bathroom off her bedroom. “Stay in my room, please. I’m going to take a quick shower.”

“Okay, Mom.”

When she got out of the shower, she saw that Alexander had chosen a pair of bright purple platform shoes with a peep toe. The rest of her shoes were in piles on the floor. “Are you going to clean all of this up?”

“Can you help?” Alexander said in a small voice. “It’s a lot.”

“It is, isn’t it? What could you have done differently, so that it didn’t get to be such a mess?”

“Only two shoes at a time?”

“That probably would have helped.” Artemis bit the inside of her cheek to stop her laughter.

“Yeah.”

CHAPTER2

“What do you mean,it’s my turn?” Finley asked.

“I visited the daycare yesterday,” Augustine replied. “Maddie would like to show you the ropes as well.”

“It has to be today?” Finley asked. He’d been hoping to get in an extra long workout, since he didn’t have a shift at Valhalla’s Throne today.

“She has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow afternoon, and I am at the Valhalla’s.” Augustine shrugged apologetically. “You are the best choice.”

“Am I?” Finley muttered under his breath. “Okay, I’ll head over after lunch.”

“It would be better if you went now,” Augustine said. “The routine is very specific.”

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