Page 18 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
Grady’s lungs constricted. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome, Grady.” Then, after several long moments, Uzoth dropped his hand. He then handed Grady back his tea and sat on the chair.
Uzoth picked up his own tea and took a sip. Grady gazed at Uzoth. Slowly, his breathing returned to normal. Grady let himself relax.
Uzoth didn’t prattle to fill the silences. When he did speak, it was because he wanted to convey something important. He had such a steady manner about him that it calmed Grady. And since his life usually felt so chaotic and exhausting, he found these snippets of time alone with Uzoth precious.
They were his moments. They didn’t belong to his siblings. His time with Uzoth was just for him. And how long had it been since he had something just for himself?
He and Uzoth were friends. That was what he’d said to Uzoth. Friends. For years, he’d only had his siblings as companions.
Grady sipped his tea.
It seemed it wasn’t just Uzoth who needed a friend.
CHAPTER 11
Grady hoisted his nephew into his arms.
“Are you sure you can take him?” Ordelia sniffled. “We can make do. It’s just been a tough day with both Tony and me sick. I’d ask Tony’s parents, but they are sick too.” Tony’s parents often took Michael and Ruthie to help Tony and Ordelia.
“It’s fine,” Grady said. “Briar and Wulfric are working the Christmas markets tonight, so I can take tonight off.” He could have used tonight to go over the inventory or check the finances and books. But he could do that later. When he should be sleeping.
He wanted to be there for Ordelia. He wanted to be a good uncle.
“Oh! I haven’t met Wulfric yet and—” A coughing fit broke off her words. “When I’m better I’ll meet him,” she said when the coughing subsided. She considered. “I’m sure I’ll be better tomorrow.”
Grady nodded. “You’ve eaten?”
“I made some stew.” Ordelia gave a weary smile. “Thank you for this. I really do appreciate it.”
“No problem. It will be nice to spend some quality time together with my nephew. Won’t it?” Grady asked Michael.
Michael nodded vigorously.
“Well, we should get going and let you rest,” Grady said to Ordelia.
“I’ll try. Ruthie is down right now. But who knows for how long.” Ordelia sighed. “Poor darling. Her horns are coming in. I put some salve on them that Tony’s father gave us. It helps, but she still struggles to sleep.”
Carrying Michael, Grady walked the short distance to the apartment.
“What do you think we should get up to tonight?” Grady asked. “We could read a book. We could play a game. We could bake?”
Michael considered each option. But when Grady mentioned baking, Michael’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “Let’s bake a cake!”
“Sounds good.” They approached the bakery. Grady glanced up and saw Uzoth above. A smile broke out on his face. “See the gargoyle up there on the roof?”
Michael pointed. “Him?”
“Yep. That’s my friend Uzoth.”
Michael tilted his head. “He looks scary.”
“Well, he might look a little tough. But he is really nice.”
Michael stared up at Uzoth, a considering expression on his face.
“Do you want to meet him?” Grady asked. “I promise he is friendly. Maybe he can even help us bake.”
