Page 55 of Release Me

“I w-w—”

“W-ill. Will,” I sound out the word Gabriella is stuck on.

“W-will.”

It’s been two weeks since we arrived, and in that time her tutor has really stepped up and helped Gabriella’s vocabulary immensely. She’s reading basic three and four-letter words, and she knows the meanings of all of them.

“I w-will eat…them here and…th—there,” she pauses and looks at me to see if she got it correct.

I nod to let her know she did, and a big smile stretches across her face.

“Say. I will eat them an—an—”

Suddenly she throws her copy of Green Eggs and Ham onto the blanket, and just like that her mood is ruined. She’s been throwing a lot of temper tantrums lately. Her nurse and tutor have told both Richard and I that it’s due to frustration and it’s completely normal for someone with Gabriella’s mindset.

“Gabriella, no,” I scold her.

Ugh, I sound just like Richard does when I get into trouble. But I’m not going to tie Gabriella up and paddle her ass.

I pick the book up and open it to the page she was just on. Pointing to the word, I help her sound it out.

“An-y. Repeat after me, an-y. The ‘y’ sounds like an ‘e’ here.”

“An-y,” she says.

“Good. An-y…w—w—where. The ‘h’ is silent. Any-where. Can you say it?”

“Any-w—where.”

“Very good. You’re really doing a fantastic job reading, Gabriella. I’m very proud of you.”

Immediately, the smile returns to her face and she takes the book from my hands.

“I will eat th-em…an…any-w-where. Anywhere.”

I hold my hand out and she slaps me high five. Before she’s able to read the last couple lines, we’re interrupted.

“Hello girls,” Richard asks.

Rolling onto my stomach, I tuck my knees under me and sit up so I can see him.

“Hi Ree-chard,” Gabriella greets him.

It makes me laugh every time she says it.

“Hello, Richard.” I greet him using my best sultry voice, knowing it’s not going to go over well, but unable to help myself.

His eyes bore into mine and he warns me to watch the teasing when I know he can’t act on it. I bow my head slightly and look at the blanket in front of me in a discreet way of apologizing to him in front of an outsider. When I look at him again, he continues.

“Brynn, I’ve made us reservations at a restaurant in town this evening. A dress was just delivered for you, and I had Mrs. G hang it in your closet.”

“Okay.” I nod my head, excited to have the opportunity to go out for a night on the town after so long.

“We’re leaving at six, so you have a little under two hours to get ready.”

“I come?” Gabriella asks.

“Next time, sweetie,” Richard reaches down and caresses her head like a father would do to his daughter.

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