Page 64 of Minted
I wonder whether they’ve realized how often they finish each other’s sentences.
“I think those were just coincidences,” I say. “It’s not really how life works. As you get older, plenty of good things will happen, without any bad things happening right after.”
Nikki and Ricki look at each other, and I can tell they don’t believe me.
“When else did bad stuff follow good?”
“Oh, lots of times. But recently, Mom had lost a few jobs,” Nikki said. “But then she got a great one. She was in charge of development for wreaths for this home decor company, and she got to design them all day. It was her favorite thing to do.”
“And a week after she got the job, we found out she was sick,” Ricki says. “One week.”
“Yes, but—”
“We want to go see Bentley,” Nikki says. “But can you maybe tell him not to get us any presents?”
It breaks my heart, seeing how nervous they are for anything wonderful to happen in their lives.
“Speaking of good things, I haven’t told you two this yet, but there’s a gum company that wants to do a remake of an old commercial, and they’d like to use you to do it. Retro stuff is back, and they think it’ll be a big hit.”
Nikki shakes her head. “Can we say no?”
I’m just floored. “Don’t be silly. Listen, this is great news, and it pays well.”
“Do you need the money?” Ricki looks nervous.
“No,” I say. “I’d put all the money into an account for you two, and you can use it when you go to college.”
“If you don’t need the money, can we say no?” Nikki looks absolutely adamant.
Luckily, we’re just pulling into the parking lot. I pick a spot and kill the car. Then I turn all the way around to face them. “Girls.”
They both look pretty scared.
“I know that it’s hard sometimes, and that bad things can leave us scared.” I sigh. “But I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. I know I’m just your emergency home right now, but I’d like to be your permanent home. I’ve been taking extra classes during my lunch break, and I have my basic certifications done. I’d like to be your permanent foster mom, if you’ll have me. And I promise that I’ll make sure nothing terrible happens after good things do, from now on, okay?”
Ricki starts to cry.
Nikki looks about an inch away from it.
“You don’t have to stay with me if you don’t want to, though,” I say. “And they’re still looking for your dad.”
Ricki shakes her head. “We want to stay with you. We hate our dad.”
“Well, you shouldn’t hate him,” I say. “We don’t know what he was dealing with—”
“He’s a jerk,” Nikki says. “Like, we didn’t even like him when he was coming around sometimes.”
“Well, people can change, but I won’t change my mind about this. I’d really love to keep you as long as you want to be with me.”
Nikki lunges forward, her arms thrown out to hug me, but her seatbelt throttles her. She swears under her breath, and then her head pops up. “Sorry. I’m trying not to say them.”
I laugh. “Life’s a process. It’s fine.”
Ricki has unbuckled, and she hugs me, her arms snaking around the chair to squeeze me. “I want to stay with you.”
After Ricki releases me, I look at Nikki. “And how about you?
She’s unbuckled too, and she zooms forward and hugs me as well. “Yes.”
