“The universe is like that sometimes. I’ll talk to Mrs. K and see what else she knows.”
“That sounds good. You… you can tell her about me, if you need to. She’s trustworthy, right?” I liked Mrs. K.
“I’d trust her with my life.”
There was a knock on the door. “I’m going to need to check on you in about five minutes,” someone called.
“Shit.” Spencer laughed. “I’m knotted inside you pretty good.”
“You’re just going to need to think unsexy thoughts,” I chuckled, not wanting them to come in while we were still knotted together.
He kissed me again. “That is a very difficult prospect when I’m inside you.”
Spencer and I snuggled together in the bed, fully dressed, watching a documentary. The nurse checked him over and brought some food.
Riley sent me tons of pictures. Whale watching looked fun, but I was glad to spend time with him.
The door stood open, and the nice nurse, whose mate worked for the Center, appeared.
“Hi, Grace. She says she belongs to you?” The nurse pointed to the small child next to her.
“Yes, that’s my little sister. Um, hi Tru. I didn’t know that you were coming. Who brought you, Verity or your dad?” I sat up, glad we were fully dressed.
Tru bounded in and sat on the couch. “Oh, I came by myself. Verity’s phone has an app that brings me places.”
“Oh, like a children’s ride service?” I frowned, a little worried that they’d just drop her off at the hospital. Also, the idea that there was one for children so young made me a little nervous, even though it seemed useful for working families.
Certainly, Tru got points for ingenuity. Grabbing my phone, I texted Verity.
Me
Tru just showed up at the hospital. She used your phone to order herself a ride. I don’t want you to worry.
“Sometimes Verity uses it to pick us up when she’s stuck at the lab. Mumsy and Mom don’t like it, but sometimes they want her to miss class to get us. Can you believe it?” Her look went aghast. Today her curly, light brown hair was in cute little ponytails.
“That is scandalous,” Spencer agreed, turning off the TV.
Verity
I’m actually at the lab, so how… shit. I gave them my old phone to play games on. I must not have taken everything off. Thank you. I’m done anyway, so I’ll finish cleaning up and come get her. I made you something and was going to drop by, anyway. Thanks for keeping an eye on her.
Me
No problem. I didn’t want anyone to worry.
I wasn’t sure whose watch she’d slipped from. From the little I’d learned about the Thornes, Verity did a lot of the raising of the young ones. How she did that while getting a PhD, I wasn’t sure.
I got up off the bed and sat down on the couch with her. “I let Verity know that you’re here, so you have a ride home.”
“Oh, okay, thanks.” She grinned, kicking her feet happily against the couch.
“While you are always welcome, Tru, is there a reason for your visit today?” Spencer asked.
“You're leaving tomorrow. You haven’t even come over and seen my room and met everyone yet.” Tru sniffed.
“I know. I’m sorry. But we have to get back to Rockland. Everyone has work and school. But hopefully I will at some point.” After all, I had two brothers that I hadn’t met yet.
“Oh. Before I forget.” She opened her hot pink plastic purse and got out a crumpled sheet of paper. “This is my application for the summer ‘ship. Chance printed it out for me and helped me with some words, but we couldn’t figure out how to send it to you because we don’t have emails.”
