Felix
I woke up without my little minx on my bare chest. Fuck! I shot right up into a sitting position. Alex and Calix were sleeping peacefully. I tossed a pillow at Calix. He scrunched up his face and just rolled the fuck over and went right back to sleep. I tossed a pillow at Alex. He was a light sleeper. He did not even stir! I was still a little groggy too. I smirked thinking about Chasity and the events of last night. How the hell was she up? She should be exhausted.
“Alex! Alex!” I called.
His eyes remained closed but he answered me.
“What, Felix?” He muttered.
“Chasity’s gone,” I said simply.
He practically flew out of bed. He searched the sheets and pillows and blankets madly.
“Dude, she’s not that small,” I chuckled. “We would know if she was in bed. She’s five-four at least,” I guesstimated.
Calix groaned and sat up slowly.
“Why didn’t she wait for me?” He whined. “We always wait for her if we wake up first!”
I looked at his pouty face.
“She said she’s sick and tired of you,” I lied.
Calix gasped.
“He’s lying, Calix,” said Alex, jumping into his boxers and throwing a shirt on.
It was never strange seeing my triplet brothers naked. We were identical…like completely. I always felt I was maybe a half inch bigger but Alex kept a tape measure in his briefcase so one day we measured and yeah, technically, they were the same. I was probably just off that day.
I was so lost in that recollection I didn’t have time to block Calix’s retaliation pillow. It hit me square in the face.
“Calix!” I growled, ripping the pillow from off my face.
Calix was up and dressing hurriedly.
“Chasity couldn’t run away, right?” Said Calix.
“We’re on a yacht,” I said, my voice deadpan.
“She could kayak away,” said Calix with a shrug.
“I padlocked the small boats on deck,” said Alex. “I left the lifejackets unlocked though! Safety first!” He reminded us.
I sighed deeply. I dragged myself out of bed and threw some clothes on. I sprayed cologne on. I wanted to shower with Chasity when I found her.
“I’m gonna take Chasity swimming today! In the indoor pool!” Announced Calix. “I booked this morning!”
“Booked?” I said, raising my eyebrows.
No fucking way. I could feel Alex about to pull out some new bullshit timetable.
“This is the booking book,” said Alex, showing me yet another rubbish timetable. “Now that Chasity is soon to be our wife and is currently our fiancee, we’ll all want different special moments so we check the book so we’re all on the same page about who spends what time with Chasity!” Said Alex proudly.
I nodded. I would not rain on his parade today. I was thrilled too. Chasity had agreed to marry us. She really had. It was real.
“It’s great see…let’s say Calix wants to horseback ride with Chasity say 8am Saturday, you just check the next available slot…ahh 11am Saturday. We’re doing 3 hour slots. Is that too large? The point is so Chasity won’t be double-booked!” Rambled Alex.
“She’s already triple-booked,” I muttered, smirking.
“Three hour slots are good,” agreed Calix. “But, what if Chasity booked herself? How will we know?”
“What?” I asked.
What? Was I in the Twilight Zone? How could she book herself?
“I think Calix means what if Chasity needs alone time, time for her own hobbies and the rest of senior year,” said Alex, flipping through pages where he had sectioned off school hours, homework time, self-care time.
“Chasity can highlight any area she wants in light blue before we book it and that means hands off!” Said Alex sternly. “She’s busy then!”
Calix nodded and made an X with his arms.
“Busy? Doing what?” I demanded.
She was my wife. She should be doing me.
“She has to have time for herself, Felix,” said Alex in his ‘be reasonable, Felix’ tone.
“For what?” I reiterated.
Marriage was about being one. We were one person now. Anything she could do alone she could do with me.
“What colour am I?” I asked.
“Yellow!” Said Calix.
“Yuck!” I said.
“Well, I’m green. Green is taken,” he said.
“I wanted to be blue,” said Alex apologetically.
“Get a red highlighter,” I grumbled.
“Those are hard to come by but I’ll give you this red marker and you can circle yours instead of highlighting,” explained Alex.
“Wait,” I said. “I thought Chasity’s alone time was blue. How are you blue, Alex?” I said, annoyed.
That book was going to confuse me. I would end up booking Alex. Or bludgeoning him with the book.
“I’m blue, Chasity’s light blue,” he said, showing me the two colours.
They were different enough.
“Ok, fine,” I grumbled.
“Let’s go find Chasity and show her the book,” said Calix.
Alex snapped the book closed.
“No,” he said. “She got up without us so now is probably not a good time to reveal the book. We don’t want to make her feel smothered. We’ll reveal the book at a better time,” insisted Alex.
There would never be a good time to show her that scheduled stalker book.
“Yeah, later,” I said, yawning.
I did not need that book to tell me now was Chasity time.
Alex
We found Chasity on deck near the bar eating breakfast. She was talking to the head chef, Chat Chevalier, and his sous-chef, Sachin Singh. I had to hand it to them. The engagement dinner they had whipped up had been top of the line even though I had been too nervous to savour it.
As I neared Chasity, her roses and honeysuckle smell made me hard. I wished I had brought the book now so I could cover my hard-on. I could see the straps of Chasity’s gold bathing suit peeking out from under the neckline of her yellow sundress. I smiled. She turned around and smiled back. She could still make my heart beat fast with little to no effort. I was not completely thrilled with the fact that she had been giggling with the chefs without us present but they both had mates and Chasity was marked. I did not want to be that crazy jealous guy. That was Felix’s job. I had to be level-headed.
“We woke up and you weren’t there,” whined Calix the moment he saw Chasity.
Being vulnerable was Calix’s job. Chasity got up to hug him and ruffle his hair affectionately.
“We always wait for you when we wake up first,” said Calix, pouting.
It was true. He had a point. She kissed Calix on each cheek and he pulled her onto his lap and promptly began scarfing down her omelette.
Calix, you know how I feel about Chasity’s sporadic eating habits! Make sure she has her breakfast! I chastised before he ate the whole thing.
He quickly began feeding her every other spoonful.
Thanks, I said, smiling.
Calix winked.
“Calix needs a lot of love,” said Felix as he bent to kiss our Luna on her forehead. “Sachin, how about some cognac,” said Felix, ordering a drink first thing in the morning.
“It’s ten in the morning,” I said.
“It’s five o’ clock somewhere,” said Sachin, pouring the cognac into an 8 ounce glass, eliciting a grin from Felix.
That was way too much but I didn’t want to be a kill-joy on this vacation.
“How did you sleep, Luna?” I murmured, running my hands through her long curly hair.
It was still damp. I kissed the top of her head.
“A lot better than usual,” she said, giving me a sly little look.
I waggled my eyebrows at her and she giggled. She had the cutest laugh hands-down.
Calix was in a rush to go swimming in the indoor pool. There was a time during our childhood when he had been in love with that mermaid princess. He had been pissed when she married the human Prince in the end.
“A werewolf would have suited her much better! Werewolves know what it is to transform! From two legs to four versus from one fishtail to two legs! It’s practically the same thing!” He had said.
He had argued all night about that. We must have been about seven if so much. I was sure he was ready to cast Chasity in his mermaid fantasy. I stifled laughter at her expression. She was not in a rush for these swimming lessons.
Calix, please make sure Chasity is safe! Don’t let go of her until you’re sure she’s got it, I said, feeling a bit worried.
Of course, Big brother of mine! I was swim champ, remember? She’ll be swimming circles around you and Felix in no time! He said excitedly.
I was not so sure about that but as long as he was going to be safe I wouldn’t interfere with their time together. Calix was now eating a basket of truffle fries. I stole a few. Felix stole more than a few. As soon as the last fry was gone, Calix slid off of his stool and grabbed Chasity’s hand.
“I’ll take a whisky,” I said to Sachin, lowering my voice.
“Shameless,” whispered Felix.
I rolled my eyes. I chuckled as I spotted Calix practically running, pulling Chasity with him. Felix laughed too.
“He’s having fun,” said Felix offhandedly.
“We all are,” I said. “Chasity brings out the best in us.”
“She does,” agreed Felix, smiling. “Cheers!” He said, clinking glasses with me.
Calix
Chasity never ceased to be amazed by the luxury of the yacht. She had seen the indoor pool before when I had given her the initial tour but she marvelled at it all over again.
“Wow, there’s a sunroof there! I didn’t notice that before!” She squealed.
“Yeah, the sunlight streaming right onto the middle of the pool helps warm the water a bit without taking away too much of the shade. There’s shady areas all around it,” I pointed out.
I loved good pool designs.
“If I wasn’t an Alpha, which is a pretty demanding job honestly, I would probably be an architect,” I told Chasity as we descended the pool steps.
“I could totally see that for you,” she said.
I grinned. Chasity was so sweet. She was never stingy with compliments and she always had something supportive to say. She never shot down my ideas.
“Thanks,” I said. “You coming?” I asked.
She was still on the last step with just her feet and shins in the water. She was looking at the deep end of the pool apprehensively.
“Thank God for the shallow end, right?” She said with a nervous laugh.
“I love you,” I said softly extending my hand to her. “You’re safe.”
“She nodded. She took a deep breath.
“I’m safe,” she repeated.
She came to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I moved backwards, carrying her into the deep. She wrapped her legs around my waist as the water level rose around her. I held onto her waist. When we reached the middle of the pool, she clung to me, holding me a bit tighter.
“It’s ok. I got you,” I assured her.
I was hard with her core pressed up against me but she was scared so I just comforted her.
“You were ok in the sea the other day,” I said.
“Yeah, I was. I guess…the pool is more similar to the lake than the sea and we stayed in the shallow part of the sea. I could stand and not be under water,” she explained.
I moved her back into the shallow and she calmed down.
“You’re gonna blow bubbles underwater for me okay,” I instructed.
She kept giggling at first but soon she got serious about her bubble blowing.
“Ok, good!” I said. “This will help you not panic in the water. Practice dunking your head while holding your breath,” I said.
After a while, I showed her how to doggie-paddle, demonstrating it first. I hopped out of the pool.
“Where are you going?” She called.
I quickly grabbed the wing floaties and showed them to her. She smiled. I attached them to her and she practiced her doggie-paddle but remained in the shallow even though she had floaties on. She needed to kick her legs a bit more but I just kept encouraging her and she got closer and closer to getting it.
“Recess?” She proposed.
“Sure, you want a snack?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said slyly as she took off the wings and let them float away.
She wrapped her arms and legs around me again. I grinned. My dick got hard immediately as she pressed up against me. I rocked my hips against hers. She moaned a little. I pressed my lips to hers, kissing her ravenously. I kissed her until she was breathless. I looked at her. She was so beautiful and she’d forgiven us or at least she was trying. She had said yes to being our wife. I still resented myself sometimes for being such a coward growing up. I should have protected her that day.
“Chasity, I’m sorry,” I said.
I would say it everyday for a millennia if it would help ease her fears.
“For what?” She asked, cuddling against my chest.
“For not standing up to my brothers when they went overboard with you when I was younger,” I mumbled.
She smiled and my heart leapt. She kissed me sweetly.
“I would never let them have their way now! Ever! But it doesn’t matter now because they’re different. Everything is different,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers as I walked towards the deep end, carrying her.
“I forgive you, Calix, you especially,” she admitted sheepishly.
I breathed a sigh of relief. She had no idea what that meant to me.
“Thank you, Chasity,” I breathed against her lips. I kissed her tenderly, pouring all the love I had for her into the kiss.
She seemed a bit teary-eyed. Maybe, I should not have alluded to the ice fishing hole incident.
“Calix,” she said softly.
I loved the way she said my name.
“Yeah,” I answered gently.
“You’re your mom’s favourite right?” She asked.
That had come out of nowhere.
I smirked a little. I probably was but I tried not to be too smug about it. I knew my parents loved all of us.
“Yeah, but both our parents love all of us,” I insisted.
“So, you know her really well? Like you guys talk?” She asked.
Hmm. I wondered what this was about.
“Yeah, she tells me more than the others. She even comes to me sometimes to talk when her and Dad fight but they hardly fight so that’s only every couple of months,” I confessed.
Damn, I was an open book where Chasity was concerned. She could get anything out of me.
“Tell me honestly, why does the Luna dislike me so much?” She asked.
I was floored. I had not expected this. I had my suspicions about Mom’s issues with Chasity. Mom would have probably been icy towards our mate no matter who she was but Chasity was someone Mom had a history with unbeknownst to Chasity herself.
“She had a problem with your Mom,” I said slowly, wondering how much to reveal.
Chasity deserved the whole truth but the vacation was supposed to be all smooth sailings. Alex would be pissed if I rocked the boat with a confession like
“Yeah?” She said expectantly.
I caved.
“Maybe, I should have told you this sooner, don’t be mad, ok?” I said, making sure to give her my puppy-dog eyes.
I could hear her heart racing. Was I turning her on? Was I making her anxious? A combination?
“The reason why my parents took you in…was not just to repay the debts…that was a cover…Felix doesn’t know this, by the way. Alex knows as the eldest, father handed over a lot of alpha responsibilities to him,” I began, trying to find the right words to say to impart the truth to her.
She seemed shocked when I admitted that Felix still didn’t know. I launched into the story.
“My mother always hated her step-brother’s mate. She felt the girl was a bad influence and she thought his mate was the one who introduced him to drugs. You see, my mother’s father married twice so my mother gained a little brother she wasn’t biologically related to but loved all the same,” I explained, hoping I was making sense.
“He grew up and married this girl my mother hated. My mother and her step-brother became estranged so she never knew what was going on with him. He had a daughter with the girl Mom hated and when she was a child, the couple got into some trouble with some dangerous people,” I said, pausing to gauge Chasity’s reaction so far.
She was listening intently. Her pretty face eager as she looked at me.
“Mom begged Dad to pay off their debts because she loved her little step-brother so much even though they’d been estranged since his marriage. My parents paid off the debts but the couple still skipped town because they had made some enemies. They thought a life on the road wasn’t good for their little daughter so they dropped her off at the pack house without so much as a phone call or note. They just left the little girl,” I said, my heart breaking for my Chasity all over again.
My Goddess. I took a deep breath.
“My mom thought the little girl looked just like her mother and behaved just as wilful. She was not a fan from the get go,” I said, feeling angry at Mom.
Mom and I were really close but her treatment of Chasity never sit right for me. She had set such a bad example. I sighed. It was now or never. Chasity was my mate, my Luna, my future wife, the mother of my future heirs. We needed a good stable foundation and that would require transparency, honesty, mutual trust.
“Chasity, that little girl was…is…you! My mom and your dad were estranged step-siblings,” I blurted out. s
Chapter 40: Chasity’s Coldest Day
Calix
Chasity was stunned silent. Had I just blown our chance with her? No, no. She had already agreed to marry us. She could not back out now. She would not back out now. Not over some ancient feud between our mothers. I stared at her. She was shivering. She was probably just cold. I walked her over to the sunlit area of the pool where the water was warmer. I waited for her to warm up under the sunroof but she was still shivering so I pressed my lips against hers and tightened my arms around her, sharing some of my own warmth, my body heat. Werewolves had higher core body temperatures and Alphas had the highest of the high. By human standards, alphas had perennial fevers. Chasity’s lips were soft and sweet as usual but she soon pressed her palms against my chest, breaking the kiss. I sighed, a frown forming on my face. I had messed up. Alex would be pissed that I broke the news to her this way, impulsively, emotionally, and without strategic and careful planning. I could practically hear his response in my head. Felix would be livid that we had kept him in the dark on this one.
“Alex knows about this too?” Asked Chasity.
I was just glad she had finally said something.
“Yeah,” I said sheepishly.
I wanted her to know we had planned on telling her. I launched into an explanation.
“He and I were wondering when we should tell you. We’ve only known since shortly after becoming alphas after our birthday. We didn’t grow up knowing this. We couldn’t tell Felix as Alex knew he would blab or blurt it out to you whenever there was a heated moment and we wanted to develop a good relationship with you first and start making you happy. It’s been torture keeping this from our brother and you. We’re triplets! And you’re our mate! The bonds are so intense, but we were waiting for the right time. We didn’t want to hurt you anymore and you were already so overwhelmed by us. I’m sorry, Chasity, for not telling you right away but I thought it was best and so did Alex,” I said, all in one breath.
I continued to give her my best puppy-dog eyes. They had never failed me with girls before but Chasity was different. She was very strong-willed. I had known she was special from the very first moment I laid eyes on her.
Flashback
It was particularly cold today. It was always cold up North. Northern Wolf Country had the longest winters imaginable. They took up half the year. My brothers and I always played inside on really cold days like these. Felix would sulk though because he wanted to venture out. He just wanted to show off how tough he supposedly was. Alex would use the opportunity to study pack laws. I would read mystery or horror books or watch mysteries and horrors on television even though I got a bit scared sometimes. We were all sitting in the living room by the huge fireplace, engrossed in our usual cold day indoor activities.
“We only have…what…about nine years left to get all these memorised,” said Alex, showing Felix and me the huge pack law book.
Felix rolled his eyes. He was taking a break from sulking to draw something. I put down my mystery book suddenly. Alex put the down the pack law book at the same moment. Felix stopped drawing at precisely the same time too. We exchanged curious glances. Sometimes, we all sensed something at the same time as triplets. Whenever I had an emotion hit me out of nowhere, I knew it could be coming from one of my brothers. Currently, I was feeling sad and scared for no apparent reason. It was so overwhelming. I did not like it at all.
“What is that?” I asked.
“You!” Snapped Felix. “You’re the crybaby of the group! Ugh, go upstairs and cry. Don’t bring me down. I’m trying to draw here!”
I huffed.
“It is not me!” I said through gritted teeth.
He was so unfair sometimes.
“Alex, tell him it’s not me!” I demanded, nudging Alex.
Alex was a proper big brother. He looked out for me. Felix was always picking on me.
“It’s not Calix,” said Alex, his expression worried.
“Is it you, then, timekeeper? What? Did you just calculate that it’ll take ten years to learn all those pack laws so you’re wishing you started a year ago?” Grumbled Felix.
Alex narrowed his eyes but did not respond. The doorbell rang. Aha!
“Our first clue!” I announced.
“Great, go answer the door!” Ordered Felix, ripping out a page from his sketchbook and crumpling it up.
“Don’t you guys wanna investigate with me?” I asked.
“You take this one, Calix,” said Alex encouragingly, patting my shoulder.
I got up and went to the entrance room. I peeked outside. I gasped. The cutest girl ever was out there. I fixed my hair in the mirror nearby quickly and answered the door.
I got a better look at the girl. I smiled. I could not help it. I hoped I was not blushing like an idiot. She had big brown eyes like Bambi and long blonde curls like Goldilocks. Her skin was golden even in the dead of winter. I felt a bit shy. She did not look very happy to be here. Maybe she was a girl scout and she had to sell cookies door to door even on a cold day like this. That was probably it! I should buy a couple boxes! That would make her smile!
“Hi,” I said. “Are you selling cookies? I want three boxes for me and my brothers.”
Shoot! I should not have mentioned my brothers. I didn’t want them to meet the girl scout. They always stole my stuff and my friends and by they, I meant mostly Felix. Felix would show off and make me look bad and try to take her from me. The girl’s response interrupted my inner rambling.
“No!” She said, seeming a little miffed.
She was sniffling. Her nose was pink and her eyes were a little puffy. Her voice was pretty. I wanted to sniff her.
“I’m supposed to ask for Luna Ronnie,” she said.
Huh? Mom?
“My mom?” I asked, confused.
She shrugged. She was here for my Mom, the Luna. I smirked. Mom and I were so close. I was sure the girl would be impressed.
“I’m Calix,” I said, introducing myself. “My mom is Luna Ronnie. My father’s the Alpha!”
She shrugged again. She glanced behind her at two people and a parked car. I peered out into the falling snow. I could barely make them out in this weather but it was a pale guy and a lady with a deep complexion. Both wolves. My Alpha senses were still developing slowly. I was six years away from my first shift.
“Get Luna Ronnie now!” Demanded the girl.
I frowned. She had not even introduced herself. I did not wanna make her mad so I went to get Mom.
“Mom?” I called, walking back into the living room.
“She’s upstairs,” said Alex, looking up from his book. “What’s wrong?”
“A girl is here for Mom,” I said.
“What?!” Snapped Felix. “People can’t just demand to see the Luna or the Alpha!” Complained Felix.
“Does the girl have an appointment? Is Mom expecting her?” Asked Alex, closing his book.
They were being annoying.
“Yes,” I lied.
They looked suspicious. I ran upstairs to get Mom quickly so they couldn’t hassle the girl.
“Mom! Mom! Mom?” I called, looking around.
The door to my parents’ room was locked but I banged on it.
“MOM!” I yelled.
Mom came scrambling out, her cheeks flushed. Dad came out behind her, looking angry at me.
“A girl is here to see you, Mom. It’s extremely important…to me, that you go see her, please!” I insisted.
Mom smiled. She ruffled my hair. She made her way down stairs without any questions asked unlike her nosy sons, Felix and Alex. Yes! I followed her downstairs. Dad threw me an annoyed look and went into the kitchen.
I could hear Felix talking to the girl from the landing. Oh no! He was trying to steal her!
“Mom, hurry!” I said, grabbing her hand.
“Calix, calm down,” she chuckled.
“Who is she to you?” I heard Felix say.
“I don’t know,” said the girl.
“I’m Felix,” said Felix.
Aha! He was trying to get her for himself!
“Ok, whatever, please get your mother,” insisted the girl.
Haha! Shot down! Felix was pissed off. I saw him stomp away as we reached the bottom of the stairs and I made a face at him.
Alex was peeking out at the girl from the window just like I had done earlier.
“Mom, the girl needs privacy to talk to you,” I whined softly.
We were identical and I needed the girl to know that I was the one who fetched Mom for her.
“Alex, go inside now!” Said Mom as she reached the door.
Alex scampered away. He was big on following rules.
I hid behind Mom, hoping she did not send me away. She pushed me gently to the side so I ducked under the window sill and peeped over and out at the girl every now and then as they talked.
The girl had begun to cry. As soon as that happened, that weird sad feeling got worse. I wanted to cry too! I held it in. If Felix only saw me, he would never let me hear the end of it.
“What’s going on?” Asked Mom.
Mom was looking at one of the people in the driveway in the falling snow. It was the guy.
“Where’s he going?” Cried Mom when the guy and the lady got in the car and drove off suddenly.
“STOP!” Screamed Mom.
I gasped as I watched Mom run into the deep snow. The car sped up and got out of there fast. Those people left that little girl without proper instructions! I wondered if she was their daughter! They were not good parents. The girl was unlucky. She did not have a Mom like mine. Mom would never leave me with strangers no matter what. I wondered what time they were coming back to pick up the little girl. I looked on the porch. I wiped the window glass a little. There was something there. A suitcase. I gasped again. Wow! She was staying for a really long sleepover. She did not look excited at all though but I was really fun. I knew how to make s’mores and I knew a lot of good scary stories. I was a lot cooler than Felix and Alex would admit. She would see and then she would want to come over here all the time. I pictured telling the girl a story in the spooky attic upstairs. That was when my daydream got interrupted because Mom started screaming a lot!
“Don’t leave! I can help you! Please! Don’t leave me! Chase! CHASE!!! DON’T GO! LET ME HELP YOU!!!” Mom screamed.
I never saw her act like that before. It made me really scared and sad but I still didn’t cry. Mom tripped and fell in the deep, crunchy snow. Oh no! I wanted to go help her but I was not really supposed to be eavesdropping. Felix said I always blew their cover. I stayed inside but I kept a close eye on Mom. She was really upset. Ok. This was an emergency now! She could get sick. The snow was falling in her hair and I could see her breath because it was so cold.
“Dad!” I said, running into the kitchen.
Dad looked up from his newspapers. Dad was so Alex-like or maybe Alex was Dad-like.
“Mom is in trouble!” I said breathlessly. “Come quick!”
Dad got up and immediately went outside to check on Mom. He picked her up and placed her on her feet.
“Where are they?” Yelled Dad.
He was mad that the parents of the little girl did not give enough notice before the sleepover. It was irresponsible but Mom crying and Dad yelling was making it worse. They were gonna spoil everything. And everyone was always accusing me of being dramatic?
“They’re gone,” cried Mom.
Dad looked at the girl.
“She can’t stay here!” Said Dad.
Ugh! Why not?! He was so lame!
Dad went up to the girl on the porch.
“We’ll inform the pack police and they’ll organise what to do with her,” said Dad.
OH NO! He was gonna call the police on her parents! I didn’t even know you could call the police for someone not RSVPing. He even used his Alpha Voice but Mom was a Luna so he could not tell her what to do so there!
“No!” Said Mom, going back to the porch too.
HA! Told ya!
“She stays with us, until they come back for her,” said Mom.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Yes! Ok. I had to get my dinosaurs ready. I had to make sure we had enough marshmallows and graham crackers. I knew we had a lot of chocolate for sure. I always stocked up on chocolate. You never knew up North when you could get snowed in and then not have chocolate for like a whole two days or something crazy.
My parents were glaring at each other. They hardly ever fought.
“She’ll earn her keep,” said Dad.
What does that mean?
“She can do chores,” said Mom quietly.
Well, if the sleepover was really long like sleep away camp then yeah.
“She’s not to play with my boys,” said Dad.
Huh?
“Think of the bad habits she must have,” added Dad.
I looked at the little girl. I did not know what bad habits she had but Dad still let Felix play with me and Alex even with all his bad habits. She was smaller than me and much cuter than Felix but what if she picked on me like he did? I thought about that. It kinda made me excited instead of afraid or worried.
“She’s a little girl…” began Mom.
“I don’t care,” interrupted Dad. “She can stay but she’s not our new daughter so don’t act like she is,” said Dad sternly.
Well of course she wasn’t their daughter. That would make her my sister and that would be gross. I was glad she was not my sister.
“She looks like her mother anyway,” said Mom, looking at the girl.
I did not get to see her Mom too well but her Mom must be really pretty like my Mom. The little girl was prettier than all the girls in my class at school.
“Hmph,” said Dad.
He grabbed the girl’s suitcase. Shoot! I wanted to do that! I was really strong for my age. I quickly practised flexing my muscles in the entrance room mirror. The girl was coming inside soon. I ruffled my hair. Okay. Good.
“Chase was a good boy before…he really was…a sweet boy…like my Calix,” said Mom.
I had no idea who Chase was but it did not matter. Mom was putting in a good word for me with the girl. Mom had probably changed her mind about not letting me have a girlfriend yet when she saw the little girl.
“Yeah, sure, whatever,” grumbled Dad. “He’s not a good boy now. He’s a grown man with bad habits.”
Oh. Chase had been a good boy like me and turned into a bad boy like Felix. Mom came inside and I pretended to have not heard anything. I looked at the ceiling, making sure to show a lot of interest in what was up there. I saw a spider in a cobweb in one corner so I kept looking at it. The girl remained on the porch. She was crying. Dad should not have said she had bad habits. She was a softie like I used to be. She looked a bit younger than I as so she had time to become less soft.
“Hurry up!” Said Mom. “Too much cold air is getting in.”
The girl walked into the entrance room hesitantly, and just like that, my whole life was forever changed.
