Page 34 of Jasha
“He will.”
Daddy Kaleb walked into the kitchen. “Are you two talking about me?”
“I was telling Jasha about what a good man you are,” she said.
“I see.” His brow furrowed in deep thought. “Are you ready to go upstairs and watch a movie?”
“A Christmas one?” Jasha asked.
“Of course. Bring your cookies and milk with you.”
“Don’t forget after breakfast tomorrow you and Frankie are going to help the girls and me bake cookies,” Miss Nadia said.
“We won’t forget. I’m so excited about it. I’ve never baked before.”
As they climbed the stairs together, Jasha admired the lighted handrail. His father had a small tree in their apartment for Christmas, and that was the extent of their decorating.
“Remember, I’m going to give you a bubble bath.”
“I can’t wait.” Daddy Kaleb did not know just how much Jasha longed for a relaxing bubble bath. Jasha hoped he would join him.
As soon as they entered the bedroom, Jasha made his way to the window and peered out at the lake. It was so different here than it was in Brighton Beach. He adored the beach area, but this place had a serene tranquility that was unmatched.
“Is something wrong?”
“We need to talk.”
“Let’s sit.” He pulled two waters from the mini refrigerator in his room and handed one to Jasha.
“Thanks.”
They took their seats in the emerald velvet chairs, positioning themselves to face one another. The combination of their beauty and comfort made them truly delightful.
“I want to talk about my father,” Jasha announced with a slight tremble in his voice.
“Do you need another punishment?”
“Why would you say that?”
“I told you we will not discuss your father.”
“I don’t think you were my Daddy Kaleb when you said that. I think as my daddy, you need to know, I’m not okay about him moving without telling me.” Jasha finished his cookies and milk and set the plate and glass on a small table beside the window.
“I’m working on it as fast as I can. Do you know why your father owes so much money?”
“I figured you charged him illegal rates of interest.”
“I did, but why did he need money in the first place?”
“He told me he had to pay off a loan when we moved to America.”
“How old were you when you left Russia?”
“Eleven.”
“How old are you now?”
“Twenty-one.”
