Page 118 of Crazy Thing

“I’m going to keep earning your forgiveness for all my stupid mistakes,” I promise her, my lips pressed to her hair.

“I’d say you’re doing a pretty good job so far,” she murmurs.

I grin into the air, a weird feeling zipping through me as I wrap my arms around Ziggy and glance around at the scene.

I feel like I belong here. For the first time in my 31 years. I feel like I’m a part of this wacky community.I have no desire to run back to Manhattan or San Francisco. I feel, without a doubt, that Starlight Falls is home.

We dance and we dance some more. With every laugh we share and with every touch, I’m falling deeper and deeper in love. In between stolen kisses, I realize with certainty that I’m not dying after all.

In fact, I feel more alive than I ever have.

46

DARIUS

“And what’s five times three?” I perch on the edge of the massive table in the middle of my at-home game room, careful not to knock over the tower of classic board games stacked up beside me.

My six-year-old niece spins around in one of the ergonomic gaming chairs, staring up at the ceiling. “Fifteen!” Stella says smugly, without even having to think about it.

With a sigh, I slap another dollar bill down on the table. “Okay. What’s seven times two?”

“Fourteen!” she screams at the ceiling and I begrudgingly set down yet another dollar bill.

Grinning proudly, Nolan leans away from the Pac-Man machine where he’s playing nearby. He offers his daughter a high-five. “Make his pockets bleed, Stel.”

“Seriously? This is how we raise kids now?” I roll my eyes.

My niece laughs. “Next one, Uncle D!”

“Okay…championship round. Ten times the regular points. Are you ready?”

“I’m ready. Bring it on!” the little girl challenges confidently.

“Nine times thirteen.” I smirk. No way she’s figuringthat oneout.

Stella slows the spinning chair, her eyebrows furrowing as she concentrates hard. She squints one eye. She wiggles her nose. She counts her fingers and counts them again. “One hundred and…seven…teen?” she asks, not so sure of herself this time.

Nolan whirls around from his arcade machine, arms lifted above his head. “Boom! Go, Stella! That’s my girl!” he shouts and Stella giggles.

I throw my head back and groan, sliding a ten dollar bill across the table this time.

Stella crawls onto the table, scooping all the money she’s accumulated into her arms before tossing it all up and letting it tumble down on her head. “I’m rich! I’m rich! Just like you, Uncle D!” she proclaims. “Let’s make it rain!”

Oh boy!

“Let’s not…” Nolan scoops his daughter off the table, setting her down on the floor. The child continues her celebration with a jubilant dance.

At her joy, I huff out a laugh. Even though my wallet is much lighter than it was fifteen minutes ago. “Good job, Stel! I’m proud of you. In no time, you’ll be richer than I am.” I slap the back of my brother’s head. “Come on. Let’s go see if they need a hand in the kitchen.”

Stella gathers up her money and I help her put it all in an envelope.

Nolan leads the way out of the game room. Stella grabs my hand, skipping alongside me as we head downstairs. “Thank you for teaching me about money, Uncle D. Daddysays it’s really important.” She gives me a tight hug that melts my heart.

“My pleasure, kiddo.” I ruffle her head.

I adore Stella and I don’t mind giving her some extra motivation to invest her time into learning her multiplication tables. I’m honored to help provide her with valuable knowledge that will be foundational in shaping the rest of her life.

A part of me is starting to think that I might actually like having kids. One day in the future. With Ziggy. It’s a thought that’s been playing at the back of my mind lately. A bit out of character for me, but what can I say? My ‘character’ is evolving these days. I’m reevaluating everything.

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