[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
When Abria started to squirm and make noise, drawing curious and annoyed glances, I stood, gathered her into my
arms, and slid silently out of the pew. Mom's hand touched my arm and our eyes met for a brief moment, just long enough for
me to read, "Thank you," in her gaze.
Out in the foyer, I set Abria to her feet. She raced for the door. In her lacy white dress with a big blue sash, ties long
undone and hanging at her back, she looked like a cherub trying to escape. I laughed. How ironic. Like a shadow I followed
her out to the large patch of grass and shrubbery that cradled the building.
Telling her to stay nearby was like telling a puppy not to explore, so I continued following her. The day was bright and
I was glad to be outside, reeling the rays of the sun cut through the cool air and warm my skin. Maybe I'd see this guy again,
since he seemed to pop out of thin air wherever Abria was. I swept my surroundings, but didn't see him. Who was he, really?
How did he come and go so quickly? What did he really want with Abria? Was he some doctor studying children with
autism? That had to be it. Maybe there was a hidden camera. Maybe we were part of a reality show following children with
autism and their families, documenting the slow insanity that comes over everybody when they live with kids like Abria, the
inevitable death that occurs as a family is torn apart under pressure.
I let out a sneer. Like anybody cared.
"Sometimes it's really lame you can't talk to me," I said.
She babbled back. "You could tell me who that guy was." And tell me why I don't feel afraid around him.
His face came into my mind. I hadn't been so creeped out this time. Nope. And the reason was clear now. He was a
hottie. What kind of girl looks at a complete stranger, one who could very well be stalking her little sister, and sees him as an
object of desire? I shook my head.
"Well, if I see him again, I'm going to tell him to leave us alone or I'm going to call the cops."
Abria stepped up onto a decorative boulder and squealed with delight. Grass surrounded the rock, so I let her enjoy the
indulgence.
My thoughts drifted back to Matthias. The first cute guy I see in a really long time and he comes and goes like a
dream? Did Abria have to be in mortal peril for him to appear? Our family had learned to be dobermans where my sister was
concerned following, guarding, protecting like she was a priceless treasure.
Abria lifted her small arms heavenward and started giggling.
The drive home Abria rode with me and Luke. She stared out the window, seeming to enjoy watching the buildings
go by. At home, I offered to change her into some play clothes so Mom could take a breather, and Abria cooperated.
Mom's 'special' Sunday music played lightly in the background.
Dinners were usually a fight with Abria to keep her from crawling and standing on the table while the rest of us ate.
Not tonight. Tonight she sat, watched, seemed to listen, and ate I hated to think the words, but couldn't help it like a
normal little girl, minus the little girl talk about kittens and dolls and everything sugary. Her mumblings and songs were in
her very own language.
About halfway through dinner, I looked around the table. Mom's face didn't look quite as defeated. She even smiled.
Laughed twice. Dad noticed her lighter mood, because his gaze met mine and in his eyes I saw a sparkle I hadn't seen there
for a long time. Luke was typically uninterested in anything but eating and splitting the scene. I wished he'd lift his head from
his cell phone and texting long enough to witness the miracle happening.
"I'm done. Can I go now?" He rose and took his empty plate to the kitchen sink.
"Where are you going that can't wait until tomorrow?" I asked. I sent him an it better not be Sam's house look, which
he ignored.
"Kevin wants to hang out. He's gonna fix my car."
"It's Sunday, Luke. We talked about making Sunday a family day," Dad said.
"I need the car fixed."
Dad eyed Luke for a long moment as if weighing the battle then finally nodded. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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When Abria started to squirm and make noise, drawing curious and annoyed glances, I stood, gathered her into my
arms, and slid silently out of the pew. Mom's hand touched my arm and our eyes met for a brief moment, just long enough for
me to read, "Thank you," in her gaze.
Out in the foyer, I set Abria to her feet. She raced for the door. In her lacy white dress with a big blue sash, ties long
undone and hanging at her back, she looked like a cherub trying to escape. I laughed. How ironic. Like a shadow I followed
her out to the large patch of grass and shrubbery that cradled the building.
Telling her to stay nearby was like telling a puppy not to explore, so I continued following her. The day was bright and
I was glad to be outside, reeling the rays of the sun cut through the cool air and warm my skin. Maybe I'd see this guy again,
since he seemed to pop out of thin air wherever Abria was. I swept my surroundings, but didn't see him. Who was he, really?
How did he come and go so quickly? What did he really want with Abria? Was he some doctor studying children with
autism? That had to be it. Maybe there was a hidden camera. Maybe we were part of a reality show following children with
autism and their families, documenting the slow insanity that comes over everybody when they live with kids like Abria, the
inevitable death that occurs as a family is torn apart under pressure.
I let out a sneer. Like anybody cared.
"Sometimes it's really lame you can't talk to me," I said.
She babbled back. "You could tell me who that guy was." And tell me why I don't feel afraid around him.
His face came into my mind. I hadn't been so creeped out this time. Nope. And the reason was clear now. He was a
hottie. What kind of girl looks at a complete stranger, one who could very well be stalking her little sister, and sees him as an
object of desire? I shook my head.
"Well, if I see him again, I'm going to tell him to leave us alone or I'm going to call the cops."
Abria stepped up onto a decorative boulder and squealed with delight. Grass surrounded the rock, so I let her enjoy the
indulgence.
My thoughts drifted back to Matthias. The first cute guy I see in a really long time and he comes and goes like a
dream? Did Abria have to be in mortal peril for him to appear? Our family had learned to be dobermans where my sister was
concerned following, guarding, protecting like she was a priceless treasure.
Abria lifted her small arms heavenward and started giggling.
The drive home Abria rode with me and Luke. She stared out the window, seeming to enjoy watching the buildings
go by. At home, I offered to change her into some play clothes so Mom could take a breather, and Abria cooperated.
Mom's 'special' Sunday music played lightly in the background.
Dinners were usually a fight with Abria to keep her from crawling and standing on the table while the rest of us ate.
Not tonight. Tonight she sat, watched, seemed to listen, and ate I hated to think the words, but couldn't help it like a
normal little girl, minus the little girl talk about kittens and dolls and everything sugary. Her mumblings and songs were in
her very own language.
About halfway through dinner, I looked around the table. Mom's face didn't look quite as defeated. She even smiled.
Laughed twice. Dad noticed her lighter mood, because his gaze met mine and in his eyes I saw a sparkle I hadn't seen there
for a long time. Luke was typically uninterested in anything but eating and splitting the scene. I wished he'd lift his head from
his cell phone and texting long enough to witness the miracle happening.
"I'm done. Can I go now?" He rose and took his empty plate to the kitchen sink.
"Where are you going that can't wait until tomorrow?" I asked. I sent him an it better not be Sam's house look, which
he ignored.
"Kevin wants to hang out. He's gonna fix my car."
"It's Sunday, Luke. We talked about making Sunday a family day," Dad said.
"I need the car fixed."
Dad eyed Luke for a long moment as if weighing the battle then finally nodded. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]