Page 17 of Rome for the Holidays
Harper was shocked but hugged the girl back. The little boy was younger and looked more skeptical.
Jenna looked up at Harper and said, “I’m so excited that we get to be sisters. This is the best day ever.”
Harper smiled, “I-i’m excited t-too.”
Jenna grinned even wider, “I like your voice. It’s pretty.”
Then with one last squeeze, she let go and Harper waved a little at Ryker, who then grinned, showing off newly grown adult teeth in the front.
“Do you like soccer?”
Harper nodded, “I-i watch it all t-the time. My f-friend loves it.”
Ryker did a fist pump, “Awesome. Mom, you should bring her to my games.”
Jackie laughed, “Let’s let her get settled first and see what Harper wants to do, then we can see. Okay?”
Ryker nodded, a little dejected and said, “Okay.”
Harper didn’t like the sad look on his face, “I-i would like to see h-him play.”
Ryker’s face lit up so fast it made Harper smile, and he rushed over to hug her too.
She felt tears burn in her eyes that these kids had accepted her so quickly.
Joey stood where he was, “Come on kids. We need to get to school.”
Harper knew she probably had to, too. She turned back to the mess of pictures and letters, unhappy that she had to leave them like this.
Jackie looked up, “What’s wrong?”
Harper sighed, “I h-have to go to school.”
Jackie shook her head, “Not today. You had a really hard night and are dealing with a trauma. No school. Unless you really want to go?”
Harper shook her head slightly, and Jackie smiled. “I will excuse you for today. Maybe tomorrow you can try.”
Harper walked back over to the chair she had abandoned and got to work.
She and Jackie worked in silence for a while before Jackie asked her to tell her about Vincenzo.
Harper happily told her everything she could about her best friend, and Jackie listened to every word without judgement.
When Joey came back, he poked his head in the room, then very politely asked if he could join them.
Harper nodded yes, and Joey sat down next to Jackie, “What are we working on?”
Jackie told him, and Joey shook his head, “Hand me some of those.”
Harper smiled as Joey got to work, he and Jackie laughing as they put together the letters.
She really didn’t want to get used to this. It was going to give her a false sense of security.
But for now, she would enjoy it.
THREE
VINCENZO
