Page 13 of Codi
“Uh. Sure,” I agree tentatively, turning back the sheets as Lucas climbs into bed. I tuck him beneath the blankets and sit down, the mattress squeaking slightly under my weight.
“Once upon a time,” I venture carefully. Though Denise and Lucas cannot see it, I’m wildly downloading children’s stories. “There was a princess and seven dwarves—”
Lucas wrinkles his nose and grimaces, interrupting me sternly. “No, no, no! No princesses or dwarves. I know that story. You got to make up the story yourself.”
I stare at him, arching a brow. “Really?”
Lucas nods, quite convinced. “Mm-hmm.”
I rest my hands on my knees. “Inventing stories isn’t something I’m programmed to do. Let’s see... ”
I am quiet for a moment as I combine stories as best I can, trying to understand storytelling so I can mimic it believably. I course through thrilling narratives appropriate for his age. Lucas is a bright little boy with a love of dinosaurs, so my search finally settles uponJourney to the Center of the Earthby Jules Verne.
“Once upon a time,” I begin again. “There was... ”No, I have to make this up myself.After swiftly reading through the entire book in a matter of seconds, I focus once again on the little boy tucked in bed. “... a brave explorer named Lucas Cartwright.”
“An explorer?” Lucas squints at me suspiciously.
“Listen and don’t interrupt,” Denise reminds him. He nestles down in his pillows, looking at me.
“Lucas Cartwright was a professor of paleontology.”
“What’s a professor?”
“A teacher.”
“Oh. What’s paleontology?”
Denise covers her mouth, her shoulders shaking with laughter. I’m clearly off to a great start. “The study of dinosaurs.”
“Oh.”
I clear my throat and continue, trying to dial down the big words and complex ideas. “Well, one day Lucas decides he’s tired of digging up dead dinosaur bones. He wants to see a real dinosaur.”
“But all the dinosaurs are dead. They’re expinct!”
I smile and gently correct him. “Extinct, yes, but in this story, they aren’t all dead. There are some alive if you know where to find them. And Lucas Cartwright did.”
I’ve finally captured the young boy’s interest. “Does Lucas bring his mommy?”
“Er. Sure.” I glance at Denise, who grins at me. I can’t help but flash a grin in return. “She can come. So Lucas and his mother set out together to find a real dinosaur.”
“All right,” Denise interjects, and I can’t help but feel a little relief. “I think that’s enough for tonight.”
“Aw, but the story isn’t over!” Lucas pouts.
“The story can wait until tomorrow.” Denise leans down and presses a kiss to Lucas’s temple. “Say good night to Codi.”
Resigned to his bedtime fate, Lucas gives me a little smile. “Good night, Codi.”
Denise turns off the bedroom light and activates a small device on the dresser, which bathes the ceiling in shapes of stars that rotate and dance over Lucas’s head. She smiles at me, motions for me to follow, and leads me out of the room, leaving the door open slightly.
“I’ve been running around so much today, I realize I’ve been rude,” Denise says as we stand together in the hallway, speaking in hushed tones. “How are you feeling? How was your day?”
Stunned, I can only stare at her. I don’t know how to respond at first. That she would inquire after my feelings... That is a foreign sensation. “It was fine. Lucas is a smart boy. Well behaved. You’ve done well, raising him.”
“Thanks. I feel like a chicken with its head cut off most days.”
Of all things, I definitely never picture Denise looking anything like a chicken, let alone headless. “Well, whatever you’re doing, it works.”
