“I don't know. I guess I got caught up in this whole I'm the Coolest Demon Hunter thing. But then when I realized that made me a target, too, I got scared. For me, but mostly for Mindy.”
“I get that.”
“I told myself I was better at this than she was—fighting, I mean. And I am. But that’s just one thing, you know? But I got it all mixed up in my head. I wanted to protect her, but at the same time I thought I wasn't like her. And then…”
She trailed off with a shrug.
And then what?” I pressed.
“And then I heard her sing. I meanreallysing. Not like choir or how we sing to the radio.”
“Her singing?” I could hear the incredulity in my voice. I had no idea where she was going with this.
She looked shocked that I didn’t understand. “Come on, Mom. You were there. Her voice was like—I don't know. Like really something amazing, right?”
“It was,” I said. “Mindy could have a real career in music if she wants, I think.”
“I could never do that.”
“Do you want to?”
“No. Not at all. But that's not the point. It’s what I realized. About me being a bitch, I mean. ”
That time I knew was goading me.
“Watch it,” I said mildly. “And tell me what you realized.”
“That I am special. But so what? She is, too. And that doesn't make either one of us better than the other. It just makes us different.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “You’re right.”
“I'm still going to worry about her because … well, I really am stronger than her, and faster, too. But Mom, I'm getting stronger and faster than you, too.”
“I’ve noticed. Does that scare you?”
“A little. I told Mindy that, too.”
“What did she say? ”
“She said she'd be there for me whenever I needed her.” She brushed a tear off her cheek. “And I told her I was so sorry that I haven't been there for her.” She smiled at me, then. “So I guess we’re okay now.No,” she corrected, “I know we are. Because she forgave me for being a?—”
“Bitch,” we both said at the same time, then laughed.
“Yeah,” Allie said. “Pretty much.”
“You know what I think?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“I think I'm incredibly proud of you both.”
“Really?”
“Really,” I said. “I love you, Al. I love Mindy, too. I’m glad you worked it out.”
Her smile lit up her entire face. “I love you, too, Mom. Should I go see if he's dressed?”
I was about to suggest that she do just that when I heard another, “I love you.” This one was coming from the living room, and as I stood up, Timmy trotted toward us.
