“You should worry more about yourself than me. And this one isn’t to type. Dash and I are learning ASL today.”
“Huh?”
“American Sign Language. Your new aunt communicates using that, so we’re all going to learn.”
He tips his head to the side. “Which one? I don’t remember one that signs.”
“Fiona’s sister, Daria.”
“Fiona’s…You two are...Really? You and Fiona? No way. She’s fire. Like literally fire. How did you convince her to date you? Wait, you said she has a sister? How old is that sister? Wouldn’t it be cool if we dated sisters?”
Idiot. “I thought you weren’t ever going to date?”
“Well, if they were as hot as Fiona, it might be worth dying for. Plus, you’re letting me create a super sick virus to make sure I don’t die.”
Don’t roll your eyes. Kids don’t like that. “You could be even safer if you told me who the enemy was.”
“Nope. This virus is a much safer idea. It’s not like you’re going to run into them. They almost never come out of their bunker.”
A bunker…Everett was trapped underground in a bunker. That’s a clue. A big one.
Not that there aren’t lots of bunkers hidden around the country and globe. But it’s one more clue to the people we’re looking for.
Shattering
Fiona
Maybe I should just move into my therapist’s office permanently. I tie a towel around my hair and grab a robe before stepping out of the shower to pick up Dash.
“Do you know by instinct when I’m hurting myself, little man?”
He slaps my arm, which stings more than a little bit on my raw skin.
“I’m going to take that as a yes, even though we both know that isn’t possible. Are you ready for something to eat?”
Dash reaches up and makes a fist, which looks an awful lot like the sign for milk.
“You want some milk.” I repeat the sign, and his whole body shakes with excitement.
Has Daria been teaching him?
She doesn’t usually interact much with the kids I foster unless they’re older.
“Let’s get you your breakfast before work.”
Dash keeps dancing in my arms as I walk to the kitchen.
The doorbell rings when we’re almost there.
Who could that be this early? Did Daria and Knight make plans this morning? She’s not usually an early-morning type of person.
“Your breakfast will just have to wait one minute.” I go answer the front door. “MAX. What are you doing here?”
“Dad wanted to walk you to work this morning.” Hope steps forward. “Isn’t he sweet? Dash.” She holds her arms out to take the baby. “Did you have your breakfast yet?”
He does the fist open and close thing again.
“I swear Dash learned the sign for milk.” But it’s impossible.
