46

Such a pretty morning, Kenric mused. The remaining clouds had cleared, and the sun was up high in the sky. A refreshing breeze blew gently from the north. He noticed that the world had slowly changed from mountains to tall foothills to smaller foothills. Won’t be many more days before we’re out of hill country. I’ve been paying more attention to the weather and sights around me than I used to and enjoying what nature offers.

“Good morning. We’re already on the road?”

Kenric turned his head and glanced back into the vardo. A sleepy looking Diadra was standing near the bathroom door.

“Good morning sunshine,” Kenric greeted the girl. She smiled. Her smile really lights up her face and I’m glad to see it. “Yes, I thought it would be best to get on the road. If Yadkinville needs a healer, I’ll be able to start healing after lunch.”

“That’s good,” Diadra replied. She looked a little uncomfortable. “Could we stop for a few minutes?”

She glanced at the bathroom door. Oops! I hadn’t thought about that. Though the wagon rides smooth enough we could use the bathroom without making a mess, I’ll still stop for her.

“Uh yeah, we can stop” Kenric exclaimed. We’ve been on the road for an hour at least and I’m getting hungry. “I apologize. I should have started pulling over when I saw you were awake. Take your time.”

Kenric pulled over so most of the wagon was off the road but the mules were off enough so Jack and Jill could graze on grass. Diadra disappeared into the bathroom while he set the brake and cast a lesser ward around them.

I’d rather use my mana than risk something or someone attacking us, Kenric thought. He got up and walked into the vardo. He started scrambling some eggs.

“I’ll cook!” Diadra hollered from the bathroom.

“I can cook eggs,” Kenric replied, a couple minutes later.

“Doesn’t smell like it,” Diadra stated. “You’re overcooking them!”

“You might be right,” Kenric muttered. He glanced at his eggs. They were slightly burnt. He sighed as he heard the bathroom door open.

“Would you like me to help?”

“Why don’t you show me how it’s done instead?” Kenric asked, grinning at her. “I’ll toss these and clean the pan.”

“Sure. You didn’t drink all the milk last night after you put me to sleep, did you?” Diadra replied. She was smiling again.

“No. Want a cup to drink?” Kenric asked. Her smile warms my heart for some reason. Diadra is very pretty and will be a true beauty when she matures. While I acknowledge and appreciate her looks, I don’t feel a sexual attraction to her at all. I’m too old for her and Diadra is too young for me. And I just want to protect and care for her. That has to be my oath affecting my thinking or I’ve really matured myself, and perhaps want a younger sibling or child of my own.

“No,” she replied, shaking her head, pulling him from his thoughts. “I’m going to use some milk to scramble the eggs.”

“Alright,” Kenric said, tossing the eggs out the door.

*

“Your eggs were amazing,” Kenric said as Jack and Jill pulled them down the road to Yadkinville. I think we’ll arrive at the village within in the hour.

“Thank you,” Diadra replied. He glanced over to the passenger seat. She smiled at the praise and then frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“The land is getting flatter,” Diadra answered. “I’ve never been out of the hills before.”

“We’re still in the hills,” Kenric said, gesturing around them.

“Not the hills I’m used to.”

“True, but if we go to the coast like I planned, it would take us a little over two weeks of all day traveling with only stopping at night,” Kenric replied. Would I take Diadra with me instead of leaving her in Winston Salem? Perhaps. I’ll think more about this later. “Imagine seeing the ocean. I’m looking forward to seeing a giant body of water that extends as far as the eye can see.”

“Why?” Diadra asked. She pulled her knees up under her chin. “That sounds scary.”

“Adventure I suppose. I’ve never been as far east as you can go before nor have, I ever seen such a huge body of water,” Kenric answered. “The thought of entering the water scares me. I was warned there are monsters in it.”

“There are monsters here.”

“Yeah, but I was told there are certain ocean monsters that are larger than a castle!” Kenric said enthusiastically. “Can you imagine something so large?”

“I don’t think I want to imagine something like that,” Diadra said with a slight shudder. She fell silent and then asked after a few minutes, “Though how would something like that walk?”

“I’ve been told those kinds of monsters only live in the water.”

“Oh. So, they swim?”

“If what I was told is true,” Kenric answered, nodding his head. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I had started to think that getting into this ocean up to my knees could be fun,” Diadra replied. “Now, I think I was wrong.”

“The deep ocean where such creatures live would be far from the shore,” Kenric said. “I think you would be safe enough in the shallow water along the shore.”

Diadra nodded, then frowned again. “Are you making fun of my height? I’ll grow taller!”

“No,” Kenric laughed. “Well, maybe a little.”

And you’ll only grow a little bit taller.

“Does this mean you want me to go to the ocean with you?” Diadra asked in a tiny voice.

“Maybe. Most likely,” Kenric answered. “I’ll have to think about it some more.”

“Thank you!” Diadra exclaimed. She jumped up and hugged him from the side. She gasped and immediately backed away. “I’m sorry! I don’t know why I did that.”

“You’re welcome,” Kenric said. “Don’t worry about the hug. It felt nice.”

This might be further proof that the healing spells are doing something to her mental state. Then again, it could be her. I still need more information.

“Can I borrow another shirt to change into and take a bath?” Diadra uncertainly asked.

“Of course.”

“Thank you. Why are all your shirts white?”

“You’re welcome,” Kenric replied. “I’m a healer and white is a sign of cleanliness.”

“Huh. That makes sense,” Diadra said.

“Yep,” Kenric agreed. I’m glad the tailor had thought of that. Heavens know I wouldn’t have had that idea until much later.

47

“We’re coming up to the Yadkinville gate,” Kenric called into the vardo.

“I’ll be right out,” Diadra yelled back.

I can’t believe she’s been in the bath all this time, Kenric thought. I would have fallen asleep and probably drowned if I had spent that much time in the bathtub.

“Look! My fingers are pruney!” Diadra happily exclaimed after exiting the bathroom. Kenric turned his head and looked. He smiled.

“So, you were really enjoying your bath?”

“Yes!” Diadra answered. “Did you know the bathtub can make bubbles and shoot bursts of water that feels really nice?”

“No, I didn’t know that.”

“It’s neat! There are little gems along the top of the tub under the faucet that controls the bubbles and bursts of water,” Diadra informed him. “You should try the them!”

“I’ll try the bursts of water later. I’m not sure if bubbles are for me though,” Kenric replied. That’s something Nathainel failed to mention, and I hadn’t noticed the jewels though I should have.

“Spell my finger. The bubbles are some kind of soap and smell so good!”

The mules stopped at the gate after Kenric slowed them so a small three wagon caravan could exit the village. He leaned over to sniff her finger.

“You smell like strawberries.”

“Yes!” Diadra happily agreed. “I’m going to brush my hair.”

Kenric nodded and turned his attention back forward as she reentered the bathroom humming to herself. An old guard walked over to the wagon.

“State yer business,” the man said. “I’ve never seen a merchant travel without guards before.”

“I’m no merchant,” Kenric replied. “I’m looking to shop the general store I’ve been told this village has and to offer my services if they’re needed.”

Kenric heard the bathroom door opened and the guard’s eyes focused on the inside of the vardo. I should have told Diadra to shut the door. Diadra was still humming.

“Oh,” Kenric heard her say. He heard the bathroom door open and shut again. Nothing suspicious about a young wet girl suddenly hiding. Nope, not suspicious at all.

“And what service might those be?” the guard asked suspiciously.

“Healing,” Kenric answered.

“You’re a mender?”

“Kenric Mender,” Kenric replied. The old fellow laughed. “And yes, I’m a healer.”

“You’re sure that’s all you are? The guard asked. “Most men with a young girl, elf or otherwise, are up to no good.”

“I’m sure I’m just a healer. Diadra is my ward.”

“Got proof of that?”

“I do.”

“Alright then. I’m Fred Courtney,” the guard said. “You’ll find work here depending on what you charge. It’s been quite some time since a healer passed through Yadkinville.”

“Where can I park my wagon?” Kenric asked. I wonder how many healers have passed through this village without him realizing it.

“Anywhere in the village square,” Fred said, pointing past the gate to an open area. Kenric saw what he assumed was the general shop on the other side of the square.

“Thanks,” Kenric replied. Fred nodded and waved him through.

*

Kenric finished hobbling the mules after unhitching them from the vardo. There wasn’t a stable nearby.

“Hopefully the shop has a water trough I can get for you two,” Kenric told Jack and Jill. He fed and watered the mules. He spotted Diadra watching from inside the wagon. “Want to go with me to the shop to see if they have a dress or something that’ll fit you?”

“Yes, but not just wearing this,” the girl answered while pointing at his shirt.

“Going to trust me to pick you out a dress if the shop has any?”

“Yes,” Diadra answered. She looked like she wanted to say something else but closed her mouth.

“What’s on your mind?” Kenric asked gently.

“If they have more than one color, could you get me a light blue or green dress?”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Yes,” Kenric answered.

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Shut the door so others can’t get to you or the stuff in the wagon.”

“Alright. What about Jack and Jill?” Diadra replied.

“I’m going to cast a ward around them,” Kenric answered. Diadra nodded and shut the vardo’s door. Kenric cast a Lesser Ward around the mules.

48

Kenric’s eyes adjusted to the light in the shop. He spotted a dwarven man and woman around his age behind the counter and walked over.

“Newcomer, huh?” the man asked. “Or just passing through?”

“Passing through while hoping to put my talents to use,” Kenric answered.

“Welcome to Beechwood’s General Goods,” the woman said. “I’m Penny Todd and this is my husband, Philip. We’re the owners. What talents do you have?”

That question can be taken several ways. So can the way she’s staring at me, Kenric thought. And her husband knows it, if his scowl is anything to go by.

“I’m Kenric Mender and I’m a healer,” Kenric answered.

“You’ll find work here as long as you don’t charge too much,” Philip said.

“Staying long?” Penny asked. Kenric looked around the shop and saw some clothing on a table. He couldn’t spot any dresses though.

“Overnight and moving on in the morning,” Kenric replied. Another human man entered the shop.

“Howdy Bill,” Philip greeted the other man.

“Bill is a carpenter and woodcutter,” Penny told Kenric as if it was a secret.

This woman is a busy body gossip too.

“Hey Philip, Penny,” Bill said. He nodded at Kenric. “Do you have those sawblades I ordered last month?”

“Caravan left them yesterday,” Penny answered. She turned and hollered, “Rhett, bring out Bill’s sawblades.”

“Yes ma,” a voice shouted back.

“Bill, this is Healer Mender,” Penny said. “He’s here overnight.”

Yep. A busybody.

“I’m Bill Woodman,” Bill said, offering his left hand to Kenric.

“Kenric Mender,” Kenric replied, shaking the man’s hand. He noticed the carpenter was favoring his right hand. “I’ll be open for examinations and healings after I buy something to make a temporary sign with.”

“If you’ll look at my hand and heal it, I’ll make you a sign with whatever you want on it,” Bill said. “That way you won’t have to keep buying materials and making temporary signs. If you want, I can make it large enough to hang on the side of that wagon in the square, which I assume is yours.”

“A sign I can stick in the ground and take with me will be good enough for what I need,” Kenric said. “The wagon is warded.”

“That’s a rare thing,” Philip remarked.

“Not so rare as you might think,” Kenric countered. “I’ve known many merchants that have warded and enchanted wagons.”

“Rich ones maybe,” Penny said. Kenric shrugged. “Healer Mender, I noticed you were looking at our clothing offerings. Do you require a new shirt?”

“No. I need a dress, preferably in light blue or green,” Kenric replied. The other three looked at him oddly. “The dress is for my 13-year-old ward.”

“Oh,” Penny said. “We don’t have anything in blue or green, but we do have a white shirt and brown skirt that should fit depending on how tall the girl is.”

“Show me please,” Kenric said as a boy brought out some sawblades. He told the shopkeeper Diadra’s height and weight. Penny led him over to the clothes and showed him the skirt and shirt she had told him about. She showed him a belt that went with the skirt and shirt as well. This isn’t well made at all. “How much?”

“40 silvers.”

“That’s… high,” Kenric replied, holding back what he truly wanted to say. “These aren’t well made clothes and I can see several loose threads.”

“Supply and demand,” Penny countered.

“Mr Mender, I’ll stop by your wagon shortly and we can talk about the sign,” Bill said. Kenric waved and the carpenter exited the shop with his blades.

“I’ll examine yourself, your husband, and your son in exchange for the clothing,” Kenric said.

“And if we need a healing?” Penny asked.

“Negotiable,” Kenric answered.

“Deal,” Philip said.

“Write me a bill of sale and I’ll get started on Mrs. Todd,” Kenric said. Her husband agreed. I’m getting ripped off but needs must.

*

“It’s not the best clothing or even good clothing, but it’s what they had,” Kenric said, laying the folded skirt, shirt, and belt on the table. “It’s also not in the colors you wanted I’m afraid.”

“You still bought it for me,” Diadra said. Kenric pretended not to notice the tears in her eyes. “This is just as well made as what I’m used to. Thank you!”

“That…” Kenric started, only to fall silent as Diadra hugged him. He gently put his arms around her and returned the hug. “You’re welcome. We’ll get you something better in Winston Salem as I promised before.”

She pulled away and he let her go. “I’m going to put it on.”

“Hang on. Let me cast Cleanse on it,” Kenric said.

“Alright,” Diadra replied. He cast the spell. “Can I learn to do that?”

“Perhaps one day,” Kenric answered. “I’m afraid the shop didn’t have any small clothes your size though.”

“That’s alright. I only started wearing bloomers the last few months because Aunt Jocosa had insisted.”

“What?”

“Aunt Jocosa had said I was old enough to wear them and that good, moral women wear them, so she made me some,” Diadra replied. “She also said it would keep the boys away…”

“We’ll get you some in Winston Salem,” Kenric quickly said.

She picked up the clothes and walked to the bathroom. She returned wearing the skirt, shirt, and belt, looking happier than she had just minutes before. The shirt was slightly baggy, and the skirt only came down to her calf, meaning it was short on her. Still, it was better than nothing, Kenric supposed.

“The skirt is a little too short and the shirt a little too big, but what do you think?” Diadra asked. She twirled around.

“Cute,” Kenric answered. She blushed. “I forgot this. It’ll make you cuter.”

He handed her a white ribbon. “For my hair?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you!” Diadra exclaimed. She hugged him again. Diadra broke the hug. “There’s a crowd outside the wagon. I’ll make sandwiches for lunch and something good for supper.”

“You don’t have to,” Kenric said.

“I know. I want to though,” Diadra replied.

“Alright. I’ll go tell the crowd I’ll start after we eat,” Kenric said.

“Can I help?”

“Maybe. Can you read and write?”

“No,” Diadra answered, shaking her head.

“We’ll have to correct that. I’ll go get some paper and a pen or quill and ink from the shop if they have it,” Kenric said. “If they do, I’ll start teaching you tonight.”

“Truly?” Diadra asked in disbelief. Kenric smiled and nodded. She hugged him again.

49

Kenric cast his diagnostic spell on the babe again and dismissed the notice. The croup can be scary for a new mother, but it’s really nothing to fear.

He made a face at the baby boy. The child laughed and Kenric handed him back to his mother. She smiled nervously at Kenric. Blue hell! She doesn’t look much holder than Diadra.

“Is he healed?” the young woman asked, taking her baby and cuddling him. The woman’s husband looked on stoically.

Or at least he’s trying to be stoic. He’s not much older than his wife.

“Your baby is fine. He just had the croup,” Kenric answered. “If he or any of you get a cough, make a syrup using ivy leaf, thyme, aniseed, or elderberry. Those herbs can at least shorten the time you have the cough, if not heal it naturally.”

“Thank you,” the young father said. “We don’t have much to pay you with.”

“You’re welcome,” Kenric replied. He glanced around to make sure the young family were his last customers again. I could tell him to keep his silver and use it on his family, but that would hurt his pride. I know it would have hurt mine at that age. “Raising your son well so the next time I come through, I don’t have to heal him is all the thanks I need.”

Besides, the other villagers have paid me 500 silvers or more, Kenric thought. I’ll have to count it later since Diadra doesn’t know how to count that high and I hadn’t paid as much attention as I should have. Thankfully, she does how to count to 20 like most uneducated people do.

“We must pay you something, lord healer,” the young mother said. Diadra exited the vardo and sat on a log people had used as seats throughout the afternoon.

“I’m no lord,” Kenric gently rebuked. That chance was taken from me a long time ago and I’m still a touch bitter about it. “I’m just a healer.”

“We should still pay you something,” the young father said. Kenric shrugged. The man tapped one of the hunting knives strapped to his belt and legs. He grinned and removed one of the knives and its sheath from his belt. “I’ve used this knife for three years, but it is still razor sharp. Would that work as payment?

Kenric took the knife and examined it. The blade is razor sharp and I could shave with it. He nodded. “I accept your payment.”

“Thank you!” the couple said.

“You’re welcome,” Kenric replied. “Have a good night.”

“We will,” the husband said. They walked away.

“You’ve been very quiet this afternoon,” Kenric said. “Was it the crowd of people?

“I didn’t want to disturb you and wanted to learn what I could,” Diadra replied. She glanced at the knife. “What are you going to do with that?”

“Leave it in the wagon most likely,” Kenric said, popping his neck. “Leaving it in my inventory or wearing it might tempt me to use it eventually.”

“Yuck!” Diadra exclaimed.

“What?”

“That sounded like it hurt.”

“It felt good though,” Kenric said. “So, did you learn anything today?”

“Yes,” Diadra answered, standing up from the log she had been sitting on. “You recommend common herbs a lot.”

“I do,” Kenric agreed. “Have you figured out why?”

“Because most people can mash them up into a… paste and salve, or they can make a tea from the easily found plants,” Diadra said uncertainly.

“And?”

“And… that will help them with common ailments?”

“Good answer,” Kenric said, praising the girl. “That’s exactly right. I need to check Jack and Jill’s water again.”

His stomach grumbled. Diadra giggled and followed him to the small water trough they had been given as payment for a healing. It was mostly full.

“Think that is enough water for tonight?” Kenric asked.

“Yep.”

“Alright,” Kenric said. He fed the mules some more hay and oats. Then, he cast a Lesser Ward over them.

“The cure for what ails your tummy is waiting on the stove,” Diadra informed Kenric. “I made a beef stew and baked a loaf of fresh bread.”

“You can bake?” Kenric asked. Diadra smiled shyly and nodded. “We didn’t have any yeast or anything to make bread with. I don’t even have a bread pan.”

“A Mrs. Davie gave us a bread pan and everything needed to make bread with earlier today,” Diadra explained. “She was really grateful that you healed the pain in her bad knee and wanted to show her appreciation with more than just silver.”

“Ah. I remember her,” Kenric said. His stomach rumbled, making Diadra giggle again. “If you cannot tell, I am really looking forward to trying your stew and bread.”

“I noticed,” Diadra said. “Let’s go eat! I’m hungry too.”

“In that case, after you, my lady,” Kenric said. He performed a sweeping bow. That earned another giggle.

“Thank you, my lord,” Diadra replied. She tried to curtsy but didn’t bow correctly.

“That is the wrong way. Ladies curtsy like this,” Kenric said, curtsying. That earned a full belly laugh from the girl.

“You look silly!”

“I know,” Kenric replied, laughing. I like making her happy. Making her happy has started making me happy. Diadra curtsied correctly. “That’s the way.”

“Are you a lord like they said?” Diadra asked.

“No.”

“Others called you a lord too. Why?”

“Difference in our statuses and showing respect, I suppose,” Kenric answered. Diadra climbed onto the wagon’s porch.

“I can see that, but I think it has something to do with the way you talk too,” Diadra said.

“What do you mean?”

“You try to talk like normal people, but sometimes you talk all… proper,” Diadra explained.

“Yeah, I guess I do,” Kenric agreed.

“Were you taught to talk that way?”

“Yes. I grew up the son of a viscount.”

“You are a lord!” Diadra said, wide eyed.

“No. My father was. I haven’t been in that social sphere since I was 18 or so,” Kenric replied. “I’m just a healer.”

“What happened?” Diadra asked as he climbed onto the porch.

“I’ll tell you about my past the day you tell me about yours,” Kenric replied.

“That’s not fair!”

“Sure, it is,” Kenric countered, shutting the wagon’s door. “It’s trading a story for a story.”

“Will you tell me your story first?”

“Yes, I’ll tell my story first once you decide to tell me yours,” Kenric answered. He pointed at the bed and table. “What are those?”

“A quilt and throw blanket that a Mrs. Eaton gave us instead of paying with silver. She had said I was so skinny and small I would have trouble staying warm without something to help me,” Diadra answered. “They’re pretty and very warm.”

The quilt was thick and made up of several patterns, mostly flowers. The blanket was thinner but looked sturdy and was sky blue in color.

“They are pretty,” Kenric agreed. “Looks well made too. She probably could have gotten 100 silver or more for them in a large town.”

“Really?” Diadra asked. Kenric nodded.

“You can have them,” Kenric said, seeing the way she kept looking at both.

“Thank you!” Diadra exclaimed. She hugged him again. “Let’s eat!”

“Gladly,” he replied. “Afterwards, we can start working on your letters or numbers.”

“I can count to 20!”

“Good. But you’ll need to be able to count higher than that,” Kenric countered. “If for no other reason than silver comes in a lot higher amounts than 20.”

50

“The shop doesn’t have any fountain pens or education books,” Kenric said. “They did have paper, ink, and quills though. I bought paper and ink.”

“Alright,” Diadra said.

She looks confused. I guess I am sort of babbling though.

“So, what this means is I’m going to write out the alphabet and help you learn to write them. It also means I’m going to let you use my fountain pen to practice writing with,” Kenric explained. She nodded. “I’ve never taught letters to anyone before, so bear with me.”

“I’ll do my best,” Diadra replied. Kenric smiled at her and laid several sheets of paper on the table. He pulled his pen from his inventory.

“This is A,” Kenric said. He wrote the letter, so it filled half the sheet of paper.

“Do people always write so big?”

“No. In the early education books I had as a child, the letters were big,” Kenric explained. “I assume it was to help a child learn to recognize individual letters.”

“Oh.”

“Seems silly?”

“A little, yeah,” Diadra answered.

“Unlike the books I had, I’m going to do two letters per sheet of paper,” Kenric said. He wrote the next letter. “This is B.”

Diadra reached out to trace the B with her finger.

“Don’t do that until the ink dries,” Kenric said. “You’ll have messy fingers otherwise. It shouldn’t take the ink too long to dry.”

“How long does that take?”

“Usually about a minute,” Kenric answered. He touched the A and then held his finger up so she could see the pad. “See?”

“Yep.”

“Alright. This is C,” Kenric said.

*

“Like this?” Diadra asked. She wrote the letter A.

“Yes.”

“My writing is messy,” she complained. “When you helped me write it looked neater.”

“That’s because this is the first time you’ve tried to write by yourself,” Kenric replied. And I’m amazed you didn’t do more than flinch when I first held your hand. It’s got to be the healing spells. Diadra can’t have given me her trust this quickly, could she? “Your writing will get better with practice and over time.”

“Are you sure?” Diadra asked.

“Yes. Plus, girls generally have neater handwriting than boys,” Kenric replied.

“Really?”

“Yes. At least in my experience.”

“Neat!” Diadra exclaimed. “I look forward to being able to write better.”

She frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Will I really be able to learn to read and write at the same time?”

“Yes. I can tell that you’re smart,” Kenric answered. “And no, I’m not just saying that.”

“You really think I’m smart?”

“Yes. We’ll start with simple two and three letter words to make it easier too,” Kenric replied. She smiled and then teared up but didn’t cry. Diadra wiped her eyes. “Need a minute?”

Diadra shook her head. “I’m ready.”

I might should have had her keep writing A, but I think going through each letter might help Diadra see that I believe in her. Kenric smiled. “Alright. Show me how to write a B.”

“But I thought you said I had to write each letter a bunch of times.”

“You’ll be doing that tomorrow,” Kenric replied. “Even when we’re on the road to Shacktown you’ll be practicing your letters.”

*

“Diadra, do you have an inventory yet?” Kenric asked after they finished breakfast.

“I do. It’s small though,” she answered. “I can only hold 5 pounds in it. I have some fruit in there.”

“That’s good. Keep my pen in there too please.”

“You’re giving me your pen?”

“I’m loaning you my pen,” Kenric corrected.

“I’ll take good care of it,” Diadra promised.

Kenric nodded. “I’m going to set up and see if anyone else needs my services this morning.”

“Want me to help?”

“No. I want you to write each letter 25 times today,” Kenric answered. Her eyes widened in alarm.

“I can’t count that high!” Diadra protested.

“Sure, you can,” Kenric countered.

“Nuh uh!” she exclaimed, shaking her head.

“I’ll show you that you can. How many fingers do you have?”

“Ten.”

“And toes?”

“Ten.”

“Is that how you count to 20?”

“That or count my fingers twice,” Diadra answered.

“And what happens when you add one more finger?” Kenric asked, holding up his right index finger.

“Um… 21?”

“Yes,” Kenric agreed, giving her a smile. She returned the smile. He held up another finger. “And if we add another finger?”

“Um… 22?”

“You got it, kitten,” Kenric said.

“Kitten?”

“Sorry. It was an attempt at a nickname, and you remind me of a kitty,” Kenric said. “I won’t call you that again.”

“I don’t mind!” Diadra quickly said. She smiled again. “I’ve never had a nickname before so, you can call me kitten or kitty if you want.”

“Thank you,” Kenric said. “I’ll do that from time to time then. Now, back to your letters and counting.”

“Okay.”

“Do you see how to add up to 25?”

“Yes! I just add five of my fingers,” Diadra happily answered.

“You got it… kitten,” Kenric said, booping her nose.

“Hey!” Diadra mock protested. Her bright smile betrayed her fake outrage though.

“Get to work,” Kenric laughed. Yeah, I don’t think I’ll get rid of her, though I will ask her if she wants to stay with me or not once, we arrive at Winston Salem.