“Rarely. I’m developing an immunity.”
“I guess I’m not that tough. I can stay a little bit later if that’s okay with you?”
I didn’t know how I was going to drive her home if Evanne was in bed, but I’d worry about that later. “No problem. I have a few more things I can do.”
Evanne cheered.
I insisted Lumen leave the dishes for me after supper, but she insisted she and Evanne take care of them. “You got supper and dishes last time. We’ll be even now.”
Maybe she didn’t want to think she owed me anything. Fair enough. There was a time and place for chivalry, and this wasn’t it. My gut told me that whatever had happened to her today had left her with a need to feel like she had control, had choices.
I stayed at the table as they cleaned up around me, and then Lumen helped Evanne with her homework. I was able to focus a little better on work, but every so often, I’d find myself just listening to them talk. It relaxed me. Made me smile. I told myself I was trying to pick up tips on the best way to assist Evanne in the future, but the truth was, I just enjoyed listening to the two of them together.
Storytime came a little faster than I’d anticipated, but it wasn’t surprising. Evanne was eager to be read to, even more than she usually was when I was doing the reading. I made a mental note to ask Lumen for some suggestions for new books. I was just thankful that more and more books were available in audio form.
When I heard Lumen’s footsteps on the stairs, I closed my laptop and headed into the living room. I sat down at the end of the couch and used my remote to turn on the massive stereo system that took up half of one of my walls. I went through a couple different albums until I found my favorite. I had varied taste in music, but classic jazz was what I always went to when I needed something to quiet my head.
“I’m starting to think it’s my voice that’s putting her to sleep.”
I chuckled and sat down on the end of the couch. “I don’t believe that’s it. Once she’s tucked in, it doesn’t matter what you read. She’s out in minutes.”
“That’s a relief. I won’t worry too much about boring my students, then.”
She stood in front of me, and I waited for her to sit or say something. When one track moved to the next, I felt safe assuming that she wasn’t going to initiate anything, even something as simple as sitting down.
“Have a seat,” I said to fill the air.
She hesitated but eventually sat down on the recliner opposite me.
“You looked pretty shaken up earlier,” I ventured.
“It was nothing.”
I regarded her evenly. “Is that right?”
“I feel like I should be the one on the sofa if you’re going to play therapist.” She smirked. “We can switch spots if you want.”
She was deflecting. “You know you can tell me anything.”
“I’ll be the therapist then.” She cleared her throat and schooled her face into a serious expression. “Vhat can you tell me about your muzzer?”
Her German accent was horrible. I snorted. “Come on, quit goofing around.”
“I zee you are avoiding ze kvestion.” She pantomimed writing something in a notebook.
“I’m not the one avoiding questions,” I said with a smile. “All right, lass. But you should know that your German sounds a little French.”
She feigned offense. “Mein gott.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Even though I still wanted to know what had upset her earlier, and I fully intended to make certain it never happened again, I let it go for now. I didn’t want anything to disturb what was happening between us.
She started laughing. “Your laugh is hilarious. You should put it on YouTube.”
Still chuckling, I said, “YouTube?”
She grinned and got off the recliner, coming over to sit next to me. “Go to YouTube.”
“If you insist,fräulein.”
