Page 102 of A Little Twist

Lifting my little terror onto my hip, I narrow my eyes. “I doubt that, honey. We don’t even have a dog.”

“She’s trying to makemethe dog!”

“I’m trying to make you healthy.” Jessica’s tone is sharp. “Your father spoils you.”

“You’rea banana!”

I swallow my laugh, forcing a frown. It’s possible I’m still basking in the afterglow of last night. It’s going to take a lot to get me down after what Cass and I shared.

“Why did you call Jessica a banana?”

“One of the bananas at Uncle Aiden’s house was all black and had little flies on it and Owen said it was spoiled. Jessica said I’m a bad banana, but she’s the banana!”

“I’m done.” Jessica throws up her hands, storming out of the kitchen. “Eat all the sugar in the house. Get a swimming pool and roll around in it.”

She stomps up the stairs, and my mood deflates slightly. This isn’t how I want my daughter to act.

Carrying Pinky to the kitchen, I sit her on the bar in front of me. She crosses her arms, and her fingers pick the skin near her elbows.

“I think we can include apples with our special breakfast.”

Her blue eyes flash to mine. “It’s not what we do, Daddy.”

“Jessica has a point about eating too much sugar. It’s not good for you.”

Her little lips twist, and she doesn’t answer me.

“Also, I want you to be nicer to Jessica. She wasn’t trying to feed you dog food, and she didn’t call you a bad banana.” Hooking my finger under her chin, I lift her face to look at me. “I want you to say you’re sorry and invite her to breakfast.”

“She doesn’t do it right.” Her little voice is quietly firm.

“She hasn’t been here very long.”

“Mama Cass hasn’t been here very long, and she does everything right.”

Exhaling slowly, I can’t argue with that.

Still, “Jessica and Cass are different people, and I know Cass would want you to be nice to Jessica. She’d definitely want you to treat adults with respect. I want you to treat adults with respect.”

“Daddy…” She exhales a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know what that is!”

“It means being considerate of other people.” She still looks confused. “It means to be polite. Remember how Gran taught you to ask nicely? That’s using good manners. Now come with me.”

I lift her off the bar, and holding her hand, we climb the stairs to the room Jessica occupies. Allowing her to take the lead, I hang back as she knocks, and when Jessica says we can enter, I’m surprised to see her duffel bag is on the bed.

She’s sitting at the computer, and her lips are set. I’m not sure what to make of this, but I give my daughter a nudge.

Her little shoulders drop. “I’m sorry I called your special dish dog food.” Jessica’s eyebrow arches, and she leans back, crossing her arms as she studies Penelope. “Would you like to have breakfast with Daddy and me?”

“I accept your apology.” Jessica’s tone makes me wince, but I hold back. “I can’t join you for breakfast, but I appreciate the invitation.”

My stomach is tight, and while I know Pinky can be a bit much, I had hoped Jessica might be a little warmer.

Penelope doesn’t seem to mind at all. “Okay!” She looks up at me with a smile, which I return.

Leaning down, I pat her back. “Head on down. I’ll be there in just a minute.”

She turns on her heel and skips out the door singing a little song. Hesitating, I glance to where Jessica’s eyes have returned to her computer screen.

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