Page 63 of Pack: Posy 3

"Facts, Em," I agreed. "Hopefully, the Moon Goddess thinks so, too."

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Thoreau

After I showed the luna my secret fort, Bubba made me go into the house so I could put on a shirt and be ready to meet the guy who's going to fix me.

Bubba didn'tsaythat's what he was here to do, but I knew it was. I really hoped he could, too. If he fixed me, maybe Mommy Daddy would love me. I didn't want to go back there, not ever, but if your mommy daddy can't love you, who can?

Bubba said he did. He told me every night when he tucked me into bed with Baby Tanner and turned on my star lamp. My heart believed him, but my head, well, that's what was broken, wasn't it? So of course it didn't want to listen.

I was really happy living with Bubba and Gelo and Leo, and now Poppy lived with us, too. I liked her so much! She gave good cuddles and went 'sploring with me last evening. That's how we found the secret fort!

I can't wait to show Arch and Wayne.I clapped my hands with excitement and almost fell off the kitchen stool.

Leo told me that stool could also mean poop, so now I wanted to find out if sitting on a stool made you go poop more than a regular chair. So far, I didn't notice a difference, but I just started my 'speriment two days ago when he said that.

"Reau," Bubba said as he sat down at the kitchen island next to me. "This is Dr. Alonzo York. Call him Dr. York. He's going to stay with us for a while. He wants to get to know you."

He wants to fix me, is what Bubba means, I thought.Right, Tanner?

Oh.

My shoulders slumped.

I forgot for a second.

Sighing, I looked at Dr. York as he sat across from me. He wasold. Like older than Gelo! There was some gray in his hair above his ears! He must have gone to school for a long time to learn doctoring, so I guess it made sense that he was old.

I was going to school in the fall. Arch and Wayne said I'd be in their class, and that made me so happy! Not only would I finally get to go to school, but my two besties would be with me. We could eat lunch together and read books in the library and play sports.Andthey promised they'd make sure nobody messed with me!

"Reau, you're daydreaming," Bubba said with a sigh.

I straightened up and made myself pay attention. If Bubba got mad at me, he'd send me back to Mommy Daddy.

"I am Thoreau Ezra Jones, Dr. York." I held out my hand like Bubba had taught me. "I am happy you have come to fix— Get to know me."

He shook my hand with a little smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Thoreau. Your luna and Alpha Ash are arranging a surprise for you, so let's talk until they're ready. How does that sound?"

"A surprise?" My eyes widened. "For me?"

"Yep," Bubba said. "And if you talk nicely to Dr. York for a bit, you can have it before lunch."

"Okay!" I crowed and clapped my hands. "I'll be a good boy, Bubba!"

"Shh." Bubba held a finger to his lips, and I knew I'd been too loud.

"Sorry." I mumbled and slid my eyes to Dr. York, but he was smiling.

"Do you want your brother to stay here with us while we talk, Thoreau?" When I shrugged, not really caring, he said, "Well, if you want him to leave at any time, just tell us, okay?"

I nodded my head up and down really fast so he'd know I understood.

"You said I came to fix you. Do you think you need to be fixed, Thoreau?"

"No, I changed my words," I reminded him, "but yes, I need to be fixed. If you fix me, Mommy Daddy will love me, then other people will, too."

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