Page 52 of Mark Us Little Bear
This is so different than my introduction yesterday and I feel a little at a loss with the number of eyes staring at me.
His mom proceeds to hug Ronnie and gently tucks me to her side. “Amber, I was waiting for you.” Her feathery yet resonant voice envelops me and puts me at ease in seconds. “I need a little break from all the testosterone in this house. Shoo, kids play outside.” She gives them a sign to take off. “I’m Tiffany, I’m so happy to meet you two.”
“We’re happy to meet you too.”
We reply.
“You brought a dog,” the one with the coffee strands says in a feathery voice when he sees Teddy trailing beside Ronnie. “Can we take him to play outside?” I think that’s Josh, one of Kat’s closest friends.
“You’re going to have to persuade Teddy with cookies he’s a bit of a couch potato,” Ronnie replies with a little laugh.
That is the best incentive, I might need one myself.
“He’s in good hands with Josh he’s got the biggest sweet tooth in the family,” Bradley comments and hands his brother the bag of treats he carries in his pocket. “Go have fun.”
Teddy wags his little tail faster when he sees it and sniffs harder.
“Come on, Teddy, let’s eat some treats outside.” It’s all Josh needs to say to get Teddy to run after him through the backdoor between the kitchen and the living room.
“Wait for us, c’mon Ronnie.” Another brother calls and they go out the door as well.
“That’s Cole by the way.” Bradley points. “Dark brown hair.”
At least it’s going to be easy to separate them like that.
“That’s the Meiss family effect.” His mom whispers. “You go into shock at first then realize they’re all big teddy bears.”
I giggle at her funny choice of words.Sounds familiar.
“I’ll give you some privacy ladies. I’ll take our stuff upstairs and make sure they don’t ruin the backyard,” Bradley announces as he heads to the front door to grab our bags.
“Too late! They already ruined my plants last week with their wild football games.” His mom states as we round the broad island in the center of a massive kitchen.
“My dad also likes plants, he’s a private chef so if he gets the chance to grow some herbs or vegetables on his own he goes all board.”
“Bradley told me your family is from here.” She chops tomatoes on a wooden cutting board.
“Yeah, Johnny and Melanie Turner.” I hand her the basket of washed vegetables from under the sink.
“Ohh, your dad is a legend. Everyone begs for his recipes and your mom is in my book club.” She says merrily, putting on her gloves and opening the oven.
I step closer when the smell of roasted onions and bell peppers reaches my nose. “I didn’t know she was in a book club, I found out yesterday.”
“She joined a few months ago.” She places the baking tray on the corner of the island. “She seems to enjoy it so far.”
It’s good that she has something to look forward to. I only called her two times in the last year out of necessity, not because I wanted to but because Dad asked me to. I still think the less I’m present, the better it is for us both.
“Your sister and Ryan are in the same class.”
Right,seventeen…I couldn’t see the face of the boy that snuck out of my sister’s room so that could be anyone—that sneaky little rebel.
“Do they have a test soon?” I question while my eyes scan the to-do list that she placed on the counter.Lemonade.
“Yes, because of a state problem even though the school year is almost over.”
I quickly find a bowl with lemons and move them near the juicer on the other end of the counter. Cutting the lemons, I start piling them inside and add a piece of ginger and pineapple I found in another basket.
“That’s a great idea,” Tiffany’s encouraging voice drifts from behind me, “You must be a natural like your dad.”
