Page 117 of Time To Learn

Me: Can’t come in today.

Alex: WTF, man? You’ve got a solid afternoon booked with clients.

Me: My girls need me today, Alex.

Alex: GIRLS?!

I grit my teeth, annoyed at what he implies.

Me: Laura and Ailith, her daughter. Look, I don’t have time to explain, but just trust me, okay? I can’t leave them alone today.

Roughly, I grab Ailith’s bag and open the door. Tension coils in my stomach as I slam it closed harder than necessary, but I try to shake it off as I walk to the house. I don’t have to wait long for Alex’s reply.

Alex: Fine. I’ll cancel your appointments, but you better come in tomorrow and explain.

Me: Thanks. I owe youone.

Alex: Fuck yes, you do. Bigtime.

I take a deep breath as I open the back door. I turn towards the kitchen but back away when I don’t see them there, and then I stop at the foot of the stairs, wondering what the hell I donow.

“Laura?” I call softly.

“We’re in Ailith’s room,” she callsdown.

I take the stairs two steps at a time, passing Laura’s room and walking to the end of the hall where I think Ailith’s bedroom is. As I stop in the doorway, I breathe a small sigh of relief when I find them lying on the bed, Laura’s front to Ailith’s back, their hands interlaced, and I quirk an eyebrow at Ailith when her eyes flicker in my direction. I don’t hesitate, but walk closer to the bed and then crouch down, keeping my movements slow. The wariness in her eyes is so foreign to me—it’s not something I thought I’d ever see in a child so young—and it cracks my heart.

“Hey, girlie,” I whisper.

“Hey.”

“I heard you had a rough night.” Slowly, I raise my hand and wipe some strands of hair away from her face. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she sniffles, only making me shake myhead.

“No, it’s not. But…” I chance a glance at Laura. Her eyes are wide open, following my every move. Resolved to take care of them, I look back at Ailith and smile slowly ather.

“What do you say about us having a Disney marathon?”

Her brows knit together.

“Like, watch movies allday?”

Inod.

“Exactly.” I point to the TV and DVD hanging on the wall opposite her bed. “You must have some of them, yeah?”

And if she doesn’t, I vow silently, I’ll go to the nearest town and buy every singleone.

She bites her lips as she mulls over my suggestion.

“Well, yes. I have Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Narnia, Hercules, The Little Mermaid, and…”

“Okay,” Laura interrupts her gently. “Which one do you want to watch first, sweetie?”

Ailith leans up on her elbow and looks back ather.

“Definitely Beauty & The Beast.”