“No, Sammy needs some relief. He doesn’t have his vest. And didn’t I tell you not to mention our trips to the range in this house?” Uncle Uri says.
“Oh, right. Sorry, Dad. Can we go out for ice cream? Lanya and NJ just arrived. Uncle Nico is here; he said he would take us if it’s okay with you.
“Does he have Orso and the twins with him?”
“No, just Lanya and NJ. He said Auntie Reese has the boys at home with her today. Lanya is here to play with Vita and Eva,” Nori says.
“Vita isn’t a baby; she’s not going to want to play with them,” Inzo says.
“Come, we will all join Nico for ice cream and some soccer; how does that sound?”
Inzo frowns and points at me. “Like that? Really, Poppa?”
Uncle Uri sighs.
“I would like to play. Is Sim here? Do you think she can help me?”
“Stay here. I will go see.”
Uncle Uri leaves and I stand waiting for him to return.
“Do you know how to use those?” Nori asks.
“Yes, Uncle Misha showed me one summer.”
“Cool, Poppa has been teaching us,” he says.
“Hush, we’re not supposed to tell. If I can’t go anymore because of your big mouth, I’m going to beat you up,” Inzo growls.
“You can’t beat me.”
“Yes, I can.”
I tune them both out as I begin to have a vision. This one is the clearest I’ve had all day. I’m in another house. Not the one from the first vision or the second.
I know this is a new one, as the windows are all different. This one feels more like an apartment than a house. A high-rise. I look around and I’m alone at first.
Then there is a sweet scent that fills the air. I spin and there she is. The faceless woman I held in my arms before.
She’s not alone. There is another woman standing next to her. However, the other woman isn’t faceless but glitching.
She’s not a blur but a glitch. I tilt my head, wondering if she’s undecided or if I will be. Right now, none of it is making any sense because my head is buzzing.
“Enough, you fight, you don’t get ice cream or to play. You will sit and watch the rest of us have fun until you know how to behave.”
“Sammy, Sim is coming to help you. She has an extra vest. You are tall for your age; it should fit.”
“Thank you, Uncle Uri,” I say and smile.
I enjoy it when Uncle Nico teaches us to play soccer. I hope I’m able to focus and play today. I will try hard to.
CHAPTER 7
Our Family
Tasha
I sit with my two-year-old,Sunny, in my arms as the rest of the kids chatter among themselves and play. Jess and Meg are sitting with their little sister, Karen, while she pours them imaginary tea. At three, Karen is full of personality, and her older sisters adore her.
