Shady

“I’m childish, if that counts?” Meyer volunteered with a smirk. Sadie rolled her eyes. “No. We don’t. How about you?”

Ky soaked in as much of her Papa as she could. They didn’t need to talk anymore; just existing in the same space was enough. He held her close until ...

She nodded but didn’t add anything. It felt wrong to bad mouth the family behind their backs.

“They’re spread thin.” Sadie nodded. “It’s a shame.”

She shook her head miserably, but hugged him tightly, trembling. “Tell me,” Papa said gently, stroking her hair. “You can talk to me about anything. You know that.” “It’s not ...

“Mm… that’s unfortunate. I’m sorry.”

Sadie grimaced. “What did they want? Theft?”

Once she calmed again, she pulled the pendant out from her tunic. “I… I always keep this with me. Always.” Petrir smiled at that, though it was sad. “I’m so ...

“Ah, you know, kids will be kids.” Sadie shrugged. “But on the whole, they’re good kids. Just mischievous… but so was I, honestly. So I can’t say much.”

Ky eventually got herself calmed down enough to speak again. “So… you’re not upset?” “Not at all.” He shook his head, then thought for a moment. “My wish for you ...

“Thanks!” Sadie smiled, too. “It’s rewarding. I love the kids.”

(Okay cool!) It took a while for her to get herself under control enough to be able to speak. Petrir hugged her close the whole time, patient and willing to ...

Sadie nodded as well. “But, hey, cool! It’s a tough path but rewarding. I bet you’ll be a great educator.”

”Papa!” Ky threw herself at him; sobbing immediately. He was… so tall now. She couldn’t remember him like this; standing. His wheeled chair nowhere in sight. He seemed stronger, too. ...

“Lack of funding.” She shrugged. “Government overreach. The whole system is broken.”