Page 119 of The Scars I Bare
Nothing much had changed on the inside. A few of Lizzie’s toys were scattered on the floor, and there was the sweater Cora had brought over, but for the most part, it remained the same. I’d spent six months trying to convince Cora to move in with me. And, for six months, she’d been denying my request.
I thought she needed to prove to herself that she could make it on her own.
I hoped, for her sake and mine, she’d gotten that notion out of her system, because as far as I could tell, she could do anything if she put her mind to it.
And, starting tonight, I had plans of changing her place of residence. Permanently.
“So, do you have it?” Lizzie asked, her mouth full of cheese.
“Yes, no thanks to you. I thought you were supposed to warn me when she got close to the end of that notebook. You’re lucky I was on top of things!”
She kind of shrugged as she stuffed more of a cheese stick into her mouth.God, how much food could she cram into that tiny mouth?
“She reads sometimes at night. How was I supposed to know?”
“I thought you were a night owl!” I laughed.
“I am, but obviously, not when she is. I can’t be sneaking on the computer when she’s looking!”
I shook my head as I headed up the stairs. She followed close behind.
“You know she’s aware of your sneaky behavior?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“So, why do you guys do it? She goes to sleep, and you wait around until she does. Why not just use the computer while she’s awake and save yourself the trouble?”
“Because then, who would talk about it later?”
I blew out a breath as I dug through my closet. “You’re going to be a difficult teenager, aren’t you? Ah, here it is. Your pappy sent most of it with his blessing. After a search on the internet made my head nearly spin clear off, I let him take charge. So, I really have no idea what’s inside. Want to help me out?”
She didn’t waste any time and dived right in. “Oh my gosh,” she said, pulling out a hat. Or at least, I thought it was a hat. Maybe it was technically a bandana. “This is excellent.”
Stuff started flying in the air. A lot of black stuff.
“Why does this guy wear so much black?”
“Didn’t you watch the movie?”
Several other things flew out, including a sword. And a mask.
“Oh Jesus,” I cursed. “This was a really stupid idea. I’m going to look like an idiot. Why’d I decide to do this?”
Her head popped up, and she grinned before she stepped forward and wrapped her tiny arms around my waist. “Because you’re the best, Dean. That’s why.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “But couldn’t I dress up like Thor instead?”
She stepped back and gave me a once-over. She shook her head. “Nope. Definitely not.”
“Ouch. Okay, black mask it is.”
Cora
I spent all afternoon getting ready.
For what? I wasn’t sure.
A question.
