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“Hi,a hand towel over her shoulder as she walks out of the kitchen “Co and kiss”

Aria runs across the roos herself at Mom I don’t knohy Theo asked , e all know Moranddaughter

“Are you here to watch movies with us, Ga to watch Willy Wonka”

Anytime Aria’s at my house atch the older classic kid movies

Mo back

the bangs that’ve fallen into her eyes “Not tonight, ht”

I raise er look in her eyes Mo out, even on the rare occasions we could afford to She said her family would always have a healthy hoht Her lip curled with disdain when she thought of a stranger cooking for her fa It was just another way she showed us her love

“Your father can be very persuasive,” she says with a shrug and a twinkle in her eye

My lip curls I know the persuasive ways she’s referring to Mom and Dad have always been touchy Not in an inappropriate way in front of us kids, but there’s been plenty of times when Dad would walk up behind her and peck the back of her neck while ere at the table doing holes carried from their bedroom into mine and Theo’s Luckily, they were quieter when they did… other things

I shudder at the thought of what those “other things” are

Mo exactly where my mind went

“Anyway” She looks back down to Aria, “I stopped by to put on the spaghetti for your uncle” She pinches one of her cheeks “And to see my beautiful Aria for a few minutes”

I put Goodie’s cage down on the coffee table then go to the kitchen and throw the ice crearab a quick shower?”

“Sure, honey You go right ahead Aria can show ”

I leave the two at the s away about some new friend she made at school, and walk down the short hallway to my bedroom