"Morgan reads REALLY good," Riley announces. "Way better than you."
Morgan's trying not to smile. "She's very kind. I'm sure your dad's reading is perfectly fine."
"He makes the princess sound like a pirate," Riley repeats. "It's a problem."
"It was ONE TIME—"
"No. No. Three times," Riley corrects. "I counted."
Morgan's shoulders are shaking with suppressed laughter, and I give up.
"Okay, fine. I'm a terrible princess. Can we all move on?"
Riley considers this. "Okay. But Morgan should read to me from now on."
"Morgan is a guest, not a permanent story reader."
"She could be permanent," Riley says, with the subtle manipulation skills of a hostage negotiator. "If she wanted."
"Riley—"
"I'm just SAYING."
I look at Morgan helplessly, and she crouches down to Riley's level.
"I'd love to read to you while I'm here," she says gently. "But your dad's right. I'm only staying for a little while."
Riley's face falls. "Why?"
"Because I'm traveling, remember? Seeing new places. I've got a lot of road left to cover once my car's fixed."
"But you could stay HERE. And see THIS place. It's a really good place."
"It is," Morgan agrees. "But sometimes the journey is the important part."
Riley thinks about this. "Can I come with you?"
"No," I say immediately.
"Why not?"
"Because you have school and friends and a turtle named Mr. Shellby who would miss you."
"Mr. Shellby isn't MY turtle—"
"And because I said so. Bed. Now."
She sighs dramatically but gives Morgan a hug that nearly knocks her over before trudging toward the stairs.
"Night, Daddy. Night, Morgan."
"Goodnight, sweetheart," Morgan calls after her.
I wait until I hear Riley's bedroom door close before turning to Morgan.
"I'm sorry. She's... a lot right now."
"She's perfect," Morgan says simply.
