A Sister's Power. Cydney Rax
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Название: A Sister's Power
Автор: Cydney Rax
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: The Reeves Sisters
isbn: 9781496715470
isbn:
Natalia burst into tears and nursed her arm.
“Look, don’t cry, please. I didn’t mean it.” Coco hated to see the girl cry. And she realized that the stress of the entire ordeal was causing her to act out of character.
“I’m sorry for twisting your arm and for putting my hand over your mouth. I could have handled that better because I am the grownup. You may not believe this, but I got smacked quite a few times when I was young. I would imitate Alita. She was always mouthing off. And I wanted to be like her so bad.”
A nervous smile formed on Natalia’s face.
“Long story short, trying to be like someone else who is doing wrong will get us in trouble. It would be a tragic situation. For both you and me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Auntie Coco.”
Coco stared at the girl. “I know you don’t. And I apologize for even expecting you to understand. You’re a kid. And I need to remember that. I’ll try to do better. That sound alright?”
Natalia nodded.
“Do you still want to swing by yourself?”
She nodded again.
“Oh well. I guess I deserve that,” Coco said. “And I will leave you alone, but first I want a hug.”
Coco got off the swing and held out her arms.
“Can I get some love?”
Natalia stared at the sky. She gazed at it so long that both of them ended up laughing.
And this time when Coco spread out her arms, Natalia bounced off the swing and flew into her aunt’s bosom.
“Love you, niece.”
“Love you back, Auntie. But you better not put your hands on me again. They taste like chicken.”
The two burst into soft giggles, and Coco promised to keep her adult hands to her adult self.
Chapter 2
Racing Toward Freedom
Burgundy picked up her daughters from Coco’s, then decided to make a stop at Super Target. Her destination was the lingerie section.
When they reached the aisle where the intimate apparel was located, Natalia loudly asked, “What size bra are you looking for?”
“Um, what?” Burgundy said.
“I heard you talking to Dru on the phone yesterday. And you said you needed some new bras. I want to help you find some. What size?”
“Um, I wear a thirty-six, B cup.”
“Ok, you want black or white? Or you like pink or blue?”
“Uh, um. Black will do. Other colors are fine too. T-thanks, Nat.”
Natalia spun around to begin her search. She gazed at each rack that was low enough for her to view. She groped through a wide selection: pushup bras, sports, bustiers, and more. She mostly play-guessed at which ones to pick. And she instantly rejected those she thought her mother wouldn’t like.
Burgundy stood frozen in the aisle, startled with disbelief. In that moment, she felt like the kid and Natalia was the mother. “This is unreal,” she said out loud. “Things shouldn’t be this way. How’d they get this way?”
Natalia had always been the type of child who seemed wise beyond her years. At times she’d be silly and infantile, but other times she could grow keenly observant, outspoken, and developed an ability to repeat phrases that she’d often heard from adults. She could even mimic them as children were prone to do. Her behavior had become more noticeable ever since her father passed away.
Right then, as Burgundy debated if she should tell her daughter to knock it off and let her find her own bras, she felt a hard tap on her shoulder. Burgundy slowly turned around.
“Hey Sis,” Alita told her. “Let’s talk.”
She steered Burgundy further down the aisle.
“I heard what Natalia just said. She talks so loud I heard her before I saw her. And I know that child’s voice. And I—”
“Lita, please don’t start.” Burgundy tried to glance behind her but Alita cornered her. When she found Natalia gaping at them, Alita lead Burgundy a few feet down until they were safely tucked away from her daughter’s itching ears yet they were still within sight of Natalia.
“I know what you’re about to say,” Burgundy remarked. “But this Natalia thing that you heard or saw, well, let me tell you something. It’s been happening all week. Like, every single day. She blurts out whatever’s on her mind. A lot. And I’d rather she speak up and shock the hell out of me than to suppress everything she’s feeling.”
“But her talking to you like she’s on your level, it’s so odd.”
Burgundy sighed. “Yeah, it’s different. I don’t know what to make of my daughter sometimes but no matter what she does, I love her to death.”
“I know you love her, but you need to make sure that she doesn’t skip her childhood. And from what I just saw, she’s acting too grown, and I don’t like it.”
“I know, Sis. I think it’s because she’s still grieving. Natalia was her father’s little princess. She wants to have her say, and continue playing the role of the Queen of the Universe.”
Alita wanted to angrily scoff at Burgundy’s declaration, but she thought twice.
“Yeah, I know Nate loved her and spoiled her like she was that Meghan Markle chick or something. But,” Alita said and glanced behind her back, “This is the real world, not a movie. She’s not an adult. Please, B, don’t let Natalia get away with that. And if you can’t find the strength to do it just say the word and I will—”
“No, Lita. She’s my child and I’m the one who decides how to handle Natalia. Case closed.”
Seconds later Natalia fled to her mother’s side. “I heard you talking. You sounded upset. You good?”
“Natalia, how long have you been standing there?”
“I wasn’t snooping, Mommy. I was having fun shopping. But I heard my name. Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine, sweetheart.”
“Am I in trouble?”
“No, Nat! Go and run along, just a few more minutes okay?”
“Okay.” She abruptly raced into Burgundy’s arms. “I love you, Mommy. I just want to see you smile. I want to do a good job.” She held up one of the bras that she’d found.
“Um, no wire bras, sweetie. I hate those. Find push-up if you can.”
“Ok, СКАЧАТЬ