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I hesitate, not sure if I should bring up the trouble we’ve been having. Mostly because Luce will say ‘I told you so’ in that smug, older-sister way that drives me nuts.
Thankfully, Mosely slows the car in front of Talia’s school and I get to hand the phone over to my perturbed niece.
“How about you ask her yourself?”
Talia is reluctant to take the phone. No doubt, she’s trying to find the angle. Maybe I’m passing over the punishing stick to her mom? Maybe me and Luce will gang up on her?
When she finally takes the cell, Lucy’s shriek of adoration erupts through the car. My sister might as well be on speaker phone.
“How’s my little bundle of Giovanni Erona Tulle?”
Talia’s lips, that had been pursed, ease into a tiny smile. It does my heart good to see that expression after all the strain we’ve been under.
Since I have nothing better to do and we’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I listen in on Talia’s one-sided conversation.
I wonder what Lucy’s asking her.
Does Uncle Dare feed you on time every day?
Yes.
Have you burned anyone’s underwear since you got there?
No.
Are you enjoying your classes?
Yes.
Do you have any friends?
Yes.
Do you miss me?
No.
Eventually, Talia passes the phone back. “She wants to talk to you.”
“Hey, Luce,” I say into the phone.
“I feel so relieved to hear that Talia is doing well. She really enjoys staying with you.”
“She said that?” I arch an eyebrow in surprise. All I heard was a couple one syllable yes-no responses.
“I was wrong about you, Dare. I didn’t think you’d be able to give her so much of your time, but you’re really stepping up.”
“Yes, well, I told you so.” I lift my chin because I’m not above being a bratty younger brother every now and then.
“About you and Yaya, I hope everything works out.”
“Thanks.”
Luce’s voice drops to a startled whisper. “Oop. Gotta go. The warden’s making her rounds.”
“Bye, Luce.”
“Muah!” She kisses into the phone and then it clicks off.
