Page 11 (2/2)

What Dante had done, how he'd ain

I won't say it hurtOnce you've been broken, every break after, even when they hurt like hell, can never outdo the profound dae of the first time

I will say that I did not bounce back right away

It was that feeling again, an old, familiar oneIt had always been there, but I'd buried it for a while

You know thatyou've kicked your covers off, and realize someone has tenderly tucked them back around your shoulders?

It was the opposite of thatIt was knowing you'd never have that again, that no one would ever care enough to try to keep you warm

Lately, the feeling was stronger than everConsu

"Just Anton," Anton finally corrected Des and back to the present

Anton's day drunk was starting to show in the form of delayed reactions

"My mommy and Aunt Demi told me it's rude to address an adult by just their first name"

Anton and I exchanged a glanceHow strange it must be to be a child with so many adults around that cared about every little nuance of your life

"How about Uncle Anton?" she tried"That counts"

He'd been taking a drink of water when she said that, and he started to choke at her words

It made me smile, probably the first time I'd done so in days

Finally he et out a scratchy, "Mister Anton is just fine"

She nodded and bestowed a very char smile on him

"What's that?" she asked iant bottle of Patrón

"Grownup stuff," I told her, assu that would settle it

"Can I try some?"

I rownup?"

"Yep," she said quickly

"Grownups are at least twenty-one years oldAre you twenty-one?" I asked pointedly

"Yep," she quipped back, the brazen little liar

"Uh uh," I said

She nodded at the oven"Can I have some of those when they're done?"

I shrugged"I guess"

"Auntie Farrah said you don't like kidsWhy don't you like kids?"

"Because they ask too many questions"

"Like what?"

"Exactly"