“Where did you go?” he asked with wide eyes.
“Just up here.” She smiled and stepped out. “Are you heading up for bed now?”
“Papa said it was late.”
“Yes, I noticed that. But I thought you would want time with your father.” She smoothed his hair. “You get into your pajamas and, if you want, I’ll come tuck you in.”
“You always tuck me in,” he declared. “That’s what you do.”
“Yes, of course. But I didn’t know if your father would want to do that. You know, since he just got here.”
He shook his head. “Papa never tucks me in.”
“Well, that’s probably because your nanny always does it.” She could tell he was trying not to yawn. “You better get ready for bed, Mishka, before you fall asleep on your feet. Don’t forget to brush your teeth. I’ll be right in.”
As he plodded off to his room, she decided to check on Kat. After just a couple of light taps on her door, Kat said, “Come in.” She was sitting on her bed, looking at something on her phone.
“I just wanted to say goodnight,” Meredith told her from the doorway.
“You can come in if you want.”
Surprised at this unexpected hospitality, she walked inside, closing the door behind her. “Did you have a good visit with your father?”
“I guess.”
“Something interesting on your phone?”
“Kalina sent me some photos she took on the boat today.”
“That was nice of her.”
“Yeah, I suppose she’s not so bad after all.”
“It was nice of you to give her a second chance.” Meredith sat in the chair by the window. “I was so impressed that you did. To be honest, I was ready to dropkick the girl myself.” She grinned. “But I guess that just goes to show that you never know what someone’s like until you really get to know them.”
“Kalina has two older sisters that pick on her.” Kat set her phone aside.
“Ah-ha, that explains a lot. Kids who’ve been bullied tend to become bullies.”
“But she’s really not a bully underneath it all. She said she always regrets it after doing something mean.” Kat had an almost thoughtful expression. “I get that.”
“Like when you’re mean to Mishka?”
“Yeah, it never feels good afterward.”
“I kind of thought so. It’s a sign of growing up to admit that.”
“I’m sure I’ll still be mean sometimes.” Kat’s eyes twinkled with mischievousness. “When he gets on my last nerve.”
Meredith laughed at the honesty. “That’s just normal sibling behavior.”
“I guess.”
“Well, speaking of Mishka, I should go tuck him in.” Meredith stood.
“Thanks for today.”
“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too. Thanks.”
