CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part six)

“Yeah, Dad told us about the baby and she freaked out,” Nash said. “She’s been crying for hours.”

“Why?” Sandy asked.

“She’s just like that,” Nash said. “I mean, I’m not thrilled at being replaced by a new kid but it’s not like I can do anything about it.”

“Replaced?” Aden and Sandy said in unison.

“You know, everyone loves the new kid,” Nash said. “Noelle and I are the old kids. We’re not cute or fun or precious or anything. Mostly we’re the pain-in-the-ass-hope-you-leave-the-house-soon kids.”

“What?” Sandy said at the same time Aden said, “Now Nash you know that’s not true.”

“I mean face it,” Nash said. “Dad has a new life and we’re not going to be a part of it.”

“Nash, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” Aden said. “You and your sister have always been the single most important thing in my life..”

“Yeah, until the new baby comes,” Nash said. “It happens all the time. We’re the ugly stepchildren.”

“NASH!” Aden started.

“Aden.” Sandy touched his arm.

Aden turned to look at her. He nodded at her smile. Sandy came around to kneel right in front of Nash. Nash stared past her to the video game.

“I know how you feel,” Sandy said. “I felt the exact same way when my mother remarried. I was the ugly stepchild, the mistake, the throw away.”

Nash’s head jerked up to look at Sandy.

“I don’t feel that way about you,” Sandy said.

“You will.”

“I won’t,” Sandy said. “I can’t help how I feel. Step or otherwise, I love you. I don’t know anything about being a mother, but I bet we’ll learn together.”

Nash’s eyes welled with tears. He sniffed then returned to stare at the video game. Sandy hugged him. Nash grabbed her so tightly Sandy grunted with pain.

“Me too!?” Noelle asked from the doorway. “You’ll be my Mom too – even with the new perfect baby?”

Sandy held her arm out for Noelle. The girl ran forward to join Sandy and Nash’s hug.

“You guys will have to be patient with me because I have a lot to learn,” Sandy pulled back to say. “Since you’ve never had a Mom, I guess we’ll have to figure it out together.”

“I’ll help!” Noelle said. Her eyes swollen from crying, her cheek was swollen and purple with bruise, but her smile was bright. “First, you should teach me how to do make-up so I can cover this bruise.”

“NOELLE!” Aden said. “Sandy is hurt. She…”

“Heather’s coming over tonight to teach us how to cover the bruise,” Sandy said. Turning to Nash, she said, “What’s your first?”

“An iPhone?” Nash’s face pleaded with Sandy.

Sandy laughed at him.

“I’m serious.” Nash worked to keep from laughing.

“How about some cookies instead?” Sandy asked.

“Sandy, you really don’t have to,” Aden said. “You need to rest.”

“I’m all right. Maybe Noelle could help me.”

“I’ll help!” Noelle said. “Can we have chocolate chip?”

“Peanut butter,” Nash said.

“Peanut butter chocolate chip?” Sandy looked at Noelle. She nodded. “We’ll leave some plain for Nash.”

Noelle and Nash cheered. When Aden stood to hug her, Sandy felt a growing sense that she was exactly where she belonged. She had chosen a family.

And they chose her back.

Denver Cereal continues on Monday…