Page 45 of Told You So
Casey takes in the sight of Bethany. “Hello,” she chirps, and she seems almost mesmerized.
“Hi, cutie,” Bethany says in a voice reserved for little kids. “That’s a very pretty doll you have there.”
“She’s my favorite,” Casey explains. “Her name is Pickles.”
Bethany’s eyes widen. “Oh?”
“Yep! Nick named her for me.”
I burst with laughter, more than amused by the look on Bethany’s face, as I unlock my front door. “What can I say? Pickles are my favorite.”
“They’re mine too,” Casey explains.
“For now,” Colton mutters as he steps outside. He glances between Bethany and me and pulls the door shut. “Hey there.”
“Hi, I’m Bethany.” She waves slightly.
“Colton,” he says. “And this munchkin here is Casey.”
Casey waves shyly at Bethany, like she’s awed or nervous, and I can’t help but love the kid all the more for her innocence. “You look like Cinderella.”
“I do?” Bethany peers down at her sundress as she smooths it down a little. “The cinder girl or the princess version?” she asks wryly, though her insecurity is lost on Casey.
I can’t help but chuckle as I set my stuff inside the door.
“Uh...” Casey considers Bethany’s question seriously. She glances between her face and her clothes. “Both, I think.”
“Well, I hope that’s a good thing,” Bethany mutters.
Colton shoves his wallet into his back pocket. “It is.”
“Yep! Yep! Yep!” Casey’s head bounces with the syllable. “She’s my second favorite Disney Princess in the whole world.” She displays a number two with her fingers.
“I see. Well, in that case, thank you very much, Casey. It was lovely to meet you.”
Colton takes her hand. “Come on Casey baby, we don’t want to make Cal angry for being late.”
“Oh boy, family dinner with the Carmichaels? That’s going to be...fun.”
Casey nods emphatically. “We’re having spaghetti.”
“Yep, and it’s going to be gone if we don’t get there on time,” Colton warns. “You two kids have fun.” He looks at Bethany. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You too,” she says with a little wave at both of them, and we watch father and daughter hurry away.
“Grandpa Cal would never be mad at me.” Casey’s chirps carry on the breeze as they make their way down the stairs.
“Yeah, I know. Lucky.”
I laugh at Colton’s reply and head inside my cold apartment.
“She’s cute.” Bethany wraps her arms around her middle as she steps into the icebox.
“Yeah, she’s a kick.” I flick the lights on and hand her one of my sweatshirts from the laundry basket. “It’s clean, I promise.”
She lifts a playful eyebrow but accepts it. “Thanks.”
“This place stays pretty cool, so when I don’t let the sun in during the day it’s a bit chilly. I’ll get the fire going. The sun’s going down soon.”
