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Chi-Chi was hoping he wouldn’t meet either of them, at least not anytime soon.
“It is nice you can keep someone’s brother company but will not keep your own brother company?”
Chi-Chi wasn’t sure how to answer that. “Abeo, I made these plans weeks ago. You were not supposed to arrive until Monday. You cannot expect me to be rude and cancel my plans simply because you changed yours.”
Abeo was surprised at his sister’s straightforwardness and logic. “You are right. I apologize for making things inconvenient.”
“Do not be cynical with me.” Chi-Chi was hoping the conversation wouldn’t take a bad turn. She didn’t want to ruin her attitude about her dinner plans.
Abeo looked crestfallen. “I am not being sarcastic. Most sincerely. I forget that you have a life and a business. I keep thinking you are still my baby sister.”
Chi-Chi wrapped her arms around him, then looked him straight in the eye. “I love you. I love Mommy and Daddy. And I also love my life here.”
Abeo’s eyes got misty. “I am very proud of you. Again, I apologize for being an interloper.”
“You are not an interloper, but you are also not getting an invitation for dinner tonight.” She gave him another hug.
He grinned at her. “I suppose my usual guilt trips will not work on you any longer?”
“That is correct.” She patted him on the shoulder. “Come. Make yourself useful.” They retreated into the back office, where Abeo opened the stainless-steel case he carried. Chi-Chi gasped and put her hand to her chest. “These are beautiful!” She picked up the watermelon tourmaline. “You know this stone supports inspiration and happiness.” She turned it over in her hand several times.
“A similar meaning as my name. ‘Bringer of Joy.’ ” He gave her a broad smile.
“Yes, I think they made a mistake on your birth certificate. False advertising.” Chi-Chi bit her lip, trying to keep a straight face.
Abeo shook his finger at her. “Tsk. Tsk. Do not be disrespectful.”
“I am not. I blame it on the hospital.” Chi-Chi couldn’t contain her laughter any longer.
“Oh, Lebici, I do miss you very much.” Abeo beamed at his sister.
“You should visit more often,” she said absently, as she reached for the aquamarine stones. “These will make beautiful earrings.” She was already envisioning them dangling from wavy fluid silver. “I think the white fire opal should be a necklace. They are fragile stones.”
Abeo watched his sister delicately examine the pieces. “You are pleased?”
She looked up and kissed him on the cheek. “I am very pleased.”
Chi-Chi noticed that it was getting close to lunchtime. “Do you want to get some sandwiches and sit outside? I can call one of the pages to watch the store for a half hour.”
“That sounds like a splendid idea. And then you can show me around.”
“Abeo, I have to run my shop today. We will do the tour on Monday as we originally planned.”
Abeo feigned a pout. “If you say so.”
“Yes, I do.” Chi-Chi picked up the walkie-talkie and reached out to Lucy, another page from the local college. The crackling sound was followed by a woman’s voice. “Lucy here.”
“Hi, Lucy. This is Chi-Chi. Could you watch the shop for about a half hour? My brother surprised me, and I want to get him a sandwich and show him the park.”
“No problem. How soon?” Lucy answered.
Abeo bobbed his head in anticipation.
“Can you come now?”
“Sure. On my way.”
“That is very impressive,” Abeo noted.
