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Bo’s father was a pilot, and the child herself was obsessed with flying things. Worse still, she now knew that many Jordraaki might long for flight, because of their dragon lineage.
She glanced down at Bo, but the little one’s eyes were fixed on the lobby door, and she was practically quivering. The poor thing really wanted to shop.
But she was being very good, not trying to run off or begging to leave.
“Mrs. Ginger, we should run,” April said. “Which shop do you recommend for a good jam selection?”
“I believe the little grocer’s on the corner has a good condiment section,” Mrs. Ginger said thoughtfully, her tentacles wiggling. “I’m not sure precisely about jam. At my age, I don’t eat many sweets.”
“You don’t?” Bo asked, gazing up at the woman suddenly with a tragic expression.
“Oh, from time to time I like a slice of birthday cake,” Mrs. Ginger said sadly. “Though my granddaughter and her little ones moved to Arkadia for her husband’s job, so there aren’t many birthdays to celebrate these days.”
Suddenly, Bo was wrapping her arms around the lady’s ample middle, her coloration the deep green of a lush jungle.
“Oh, my goodness,” Mrs. Ginger exclaimed. “Doesn’t this just make my day? I’m so glad you bumped into me, Bo Rivvor.”
“I have to go to the store now,” Bo said, letting go after a minute. “Bye, Mrs. Ginger.”
“Good-bye, dear,” Mrs. Ginger said.
“Thanks so much for the tip about the store,” April told her. “We’ll see you again soon.”
She took Bo’s hand this time and they headed outside into the sunshine.
“That was very nice of you to stop and talk with Mrs. Ginger,” April told Bo as soon as they were under the awning of The Celestial.
“I bumped her,” Bo said.
“Yes, you apologized though,” April reminded her. “And next time you’ll be more careful.”
“Yeah,” Bo said. “Can we get my jam now?”
“Sure,” April told her.
They stepped onto the moving sidewalk together. It wasn’t the kind of exercise April’s mother would have approved of, but at least they were walking, and it was certainly faster this way.
Bo cared about her older sister, and she had been so empathetic when Mrs. Ginger talked about not having family around. The little girl had a big heart.
April felt inordinately proud of the small, tempestuous little spirit who was holding her hand so tightly. Whatever challenges she might have with her behavior, there was an exceptional child underneath. April would just have to help her learn to cope with frustration.
If others could see the Bo she had seen this morning, she was very sure no one could ever call her a little monster. Just the thought of it made her blood run hot.
“What’s wrong, April?” Bo asked.
“Oh, nothing,” April said. “Sorry, I was just thinking. Do you see anything else fun out here you might want to do?”
The park was right across the street, with swings and a merry-go-round. She was pretty sure she was giving Bo an opening to ask to go play.
“Yes,” Bo said emphatically, turning to a storefront just ahead.
“What’s in there?” April asked.
“Pets,” Bo said dreamily.
“You don’t have any pets at home, do you?” April realized.
“Daddy says they make a mess,” Bo confided. “And he travels too much.”
