“You didn’t even realize, did you?” Natalie choked out, still laughing.

“Probably not,” Alex said with a chuckle. “From what Zeke told me, Valeria started teaching Sasha ‘proper etiquette’ as soon as she started walking.”

“Wow, I thought you said she wasn’t that strict…”

Come on people… You do remember that I’m right here, right? Didn’t we just finish a similar conversation?

Something does feel off though. I know Valeria had her quirks, yet I don’t remember her being like that. She didn’t have any children, so that could be part of it, but I also don’t think pageants were quite that bad either. This feels more like fantasy “Royal” etiquette than anything else.

Naaa… I’m thinking crazy things…… There is NO way something like that could happen…

Right???

“I said she wasn’t as strict as her mom, yes.”

“I can understand how Sasha wouldn’t realize though. I went to pageants for eighteen years and practiced constantly, making it habitual for me as well. Growing up with it would explain how natural and elegant she seems. I can’t move like that.”

Natural? Elegant? Oh crap. Something is definitely off here…

“I bet some of that is from her training. You should watch sometime.”

“So she excels at academics and she is active in sports?” Mrs. Coldwell asked.

“No, I don’t like sports.”

“No, Sasha doesn’t play sports.” Alex and I said at the same time.

“I’m not good at school either,” I continued as I hung my head. I don’t want them to get the wrong idea if I don’t get good grades. I’m not confident I can keep that up.

“I know the online exam was easy, yet you finished it faster than I would expect. The exams you did at home were excellent as well and I was impressed when I graded them,” Alyssa shot that down quickly, now what?

“If you don’t like sports, why train?” Mrs. Coldwell asked me.

“Alex is teaching me martial arts and I really like them. I also like running and doing yoga; they help me think and relax.”

“Aren’t most martial arts seen as sports now? That’s what Brandon does, right?” Natalie asked.

“There are sports based around some schools like Karate and Judo, though they limit some of the forms for safety. Most martial arts are taught for self-defense. That’s what I teach Sasha.”

“And you think that has something to do with how Sasha moves so well?” Alyssa looked skeptical.

“Between that, yoga, and Valeria’s lessons, though I don’t know what they were.”

“Maybe. It still seems a little far-fetched to me.”

“Well, have you ever heard the saying; ‘catlike grace of a fighter’?”

“Yes, but that’s mainly in fairy tales, isn’t it?”

“Not really, it has to do with your coordination and not wasting any movement. The same thing can happen with professional dancers or athletes. Sasha somehow takes that to the next level though.”

“What does that mean?”

“Hmm, how to explain. Think of it as every motion is fluid and graceful with no wasted energy.”

“Ah, maybe…"

“Wow Sasha, that sounds like it was harsh,” Natalie said, patting my head.

“Mm… Mom made the lessons fun, but they were really hard,” don’t look at me like that. They were fun… Dang, it! How do I know that?!

“Well, anyway. I think we may have gotten off topic. Sorry about that Maryam.”

“Don’t worry about it, Alex. This is one of the best home visits I think I’ve had. It’s my job to get to know the people involved and see how they interact. As I said earlier, I can tell you and Sasha know and trust each other and I see why everyone said you were a second father to her. I still have a few reservations, but I believe with the people you have around you, there won’t be any problems.”

“They’ll be fine. Alex and Sasha know they can call me any time.”

“Yep, and Sasha’s my cute little sister now, So I’ll take really good care of her!”

Quit bouncing like that Natalie! And that grin is just scary… I think you gave us a negative mark with how Mrs. Coldwell is rolling her eyes… oh, Rebecca is too…

Before anyone else could speak, we heard a vehicle coming down the gravel drive. Standing up, Alex started for the shop. “Must be our furniture, be right back.”

“Hey Sasha, why did he go that way?”

“He’s going to open one of the garage doors so they can offload the furniture in the shop.”

“Kennith and I figured he wouldn’t ask the delivery guys to help. Typical Alex.”

“Ya, that’s why mom and I are here. We told you we came to help.”

“Umm, I don’t know… Some of it is really heavy.”

“Exactly. That’s why we’re here,” Kennith said; Brandon, Eric, and three guys from my old crew walking behind him.

“Hello brother, it’s been a while.”

“Huh?! Oh! Aah… Maryam, how are you doing?”

Okay… So I didn’t know Kennith had a sister. That also explains Maryam and Rebecca’s relationship. I still can’t figure out if they like each other or not though.

Don’t pretend no one sees that smirk, Rebecca.

“I take it all those times you promised me you would call your sister, it didn’t happen?”

“Well……” Cough, cough. “You know how it goes… A-anyway, we should go help Alex…”

“Aaannd he’s gone… Having an unreliable older brother is such a pain.”

Dang. It sounds like Kennith has it hard. Rebecca can be really scary sometimes and I bet Mrs. Coldwell can be too. I would feel sorry for him… but after learning he was the one always stealing my food… “I feel like he deserves everything he gets,” Crap, did I say that out loud?

Rebecca and Mrs. Coldwell looked at each other, then started laughing hard enough to bring tears to their eyes.

“Yes, yes he does!”

“I swear, that man is worse than our kids ever were.”

Ya, no mercy. Can’t say I don’t feel the same way right now…

“Sorry, Maryam. The furniture showed up earlier than expected.”

“That’s fine Alex. I think we’ve covered everything that was needed.”

“Thanks. Please stay as long as you want. There’s more coffee and I think we have some pastries if you want.”

“I’ll heat some more water and grab them.”

“Let me help, then you can finally give me that tour!”

“That sounds like a good idea. Would you mind showing us around first Sasha?”

“Umm… Sure. Would you like to come as well Mrs. Coldwell, Alyssa?”

“If that’s alright. This looks like an interesting house. I do have one request though, please just call me Maryam.”

“Oh, okay. I think I can do that.”

“Haha. Go easy on her Maryam, I think it’s hard for her not to be like that.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“I think you’re right.”

“Humph!” I puffed out my cheeks. I’m right here you know…… Ah, crap… not again!

“Wow, I didn’t know someone could be so cute!” Please don’t make it worse Alyssa….

“Right?! My little Sasha is just the Cutest!” Bad Natalie! No hugs for you!

Oh, man…. I want to find a hole and crawl into it. This is so not good. Can I please salvage at least a little of my dignity?

No?

……

Moving on then… “E-hem… Do you want to start upstairs, or take a look around here first?”

“I want to see your room!”

“You know there isn’t anything in there, right Natalie?”

“I know!”

“Oh, give me a minute, I want to get some tea started,” Hurrying into the kitchen I pulled a large glass jar out of the cupboard, filled it, and added a few teabags. I had to ask Natalie for help getting it out of the sink and setting it on the porch. I can’t believe I’m not strong enough to lift a couple of gallons of water now….

Now the short tour can begin. It’s not like there is much to see since the living area is so open. Everyone liked the kitchen though, and I had a feeling Kennith would be remodeling soon…

Sorry, Kennith… not sorry.

For some reason, they especially like the breakfast nook. Four large windows were facing east and two facing south beside the double doors leading to the pergola covered patio. I will admit, the view of the Black Hills was beautiful.

When we started upstairs, Alex came in and asked how I wanted my room set up, so we went there first. I wanted to put the bed under the north window, (each window filled most of the wall,) with enough room for the nightstand between it and the east wall, the desk under the east window, and the wardrobe on the west wall between the bathroom and closet doors.

I liked the idea of putting the trunk on the south wall, with the t.v. above it, putting it close enough to the computer that I could use it to stream movies and other videos. That left a lot of open area in the room, so we decided to move the bed more to the west and put my beanbag in that corner, making a comfy reading nook.

Frank and Eric, two of the troublemakers from my old crew brought my headboard in so we moved to the bathroom. Seeing the reaction from the ladies, I think Kennith is going to have more work on his hands. Good thing they had a very large plot of land. I bet an addition is in store for their house.

“Wow, is that the tub? It’s huge!” Alyssa asked, looking like she was going to drool.

“It certainly is,” Maryam agreed.

“When Alex was working in Guam a few years ago, he spent some time in Japan and liked how some places had a large tub for soaking. He came up with using stock tanks, insulating them, and surrounding them with stained wood. He also built in a water heater. The controls for the tub and the floor are on the wall.”

“Wait! The floor is heated as well?!” Natalie asked.

“Yes, the flooring is natural stone tile so it would be cold.”

“The tubs are more of a Jacuzzi than?” Maryam asked.

“Yep, you shower first, then soak for as long as you want. We have an ice machine in the shop so you can take an ice bath as well. Since we don’t treat the water you have to change it and clean the tubs regularly, but I can’t wait to use them.”

“Why an ice bath? That just sounds awful,” Natalie grimaced.

“I’m assuming for sore or strained muscles. Heat can cause more inflammation and pain,” Right on the money Alyssa.

“Typical Alex. That guy is smart and kind, yet is a muscle head at the strangest times,” Ouch Rebecca, I wasn’t that bad, was I?

“This shower is huge as well, though I bet Alex designed it for him. I like the waterfall head in the ceiling as well.” I think Maryam’s husband is going to be busy as well…

“It was easier to come up with the design for one bathroom and mirror it. That’s what Alex said.”

“Makes sense. I think I might have Kennith come up with something similar. I like the idea of having a Jacuzzi.”

Yep, nailed it. Have fun Kennith!

They glanced at the study and other rooms, then we went downstairs to look at the shop. I had Natalie grab the tea as I found some cups and went to the shop, setting everything on the bar.

“Anyone want some tea? It’s fresh and still warm, but there’s ice in the machine by the door.”

“Thanks, Sasha, tea sounds good. We almost have the rooms done and are starting on the living room next.”

“Thank you so much gentleman, I appreciate it,” Aah, my speech is going off on its own again…

“Dang, she’s even cuter than last time. I should… Oww! What was that for Alex?”

“Shut it Frank, and don’t even think about finishing that thought.”

“Already so over-protective. I think… Oww quit hitting the back of my head!”

“I told you not to finish that thought. It’s not gonna happen.”

“Frank.”

“Oh crap, yes Rebecca?”

“While your son Caleb is a nice boy, he’s too old. There are a few other problems as well, but I won’t get into those here.”

“He’s only thirteen,” mumbled Frank.

“Frank.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Oh no, I’d forgotten Frank had a son and it looks like he wants to try and hook us up. Not a chance! That kid is weird. Oh, he’s nice enough, though I can’t handle being around him since his personality is way out in left field.

There is the fact I’m not ready to even think about that stuff yet as well. Right now the thought of being with a boy is starting to put me off, yet I don’t really have any feelings about girls……..

Let’s not think about that yet…

“I won’t let that brat anywhere near my cute little Sasha!”

“Whoa, Natalie. He’s not that bad.”

“Yes, he is! He still pulls my hair and tries to play stupid pranks like spilling water on me. Even though he’s thirteen he still acts like a five-year-old!”

“He’s…Hmm. Is he really like that?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds like a problem. I’m going to have to talk to my wife about this. We need to start paying more attention if that’s the case. I had no idea he acted like that.”

“Sasha, if he does stuff like that to you, you have my permission to dislocate an arm or two.”

“WAIT!!! NO Alex! I promise he won’t, I’ll make sure of it!”

“Alex, is that really necessary? That seems a little violent. For that matter, why would you teach something like that to Sasha? She could permanently injure someone. That would especially be bad if it’s over something childish.” Maryam did not look amused at Alex’s declaration.

“I taught Sasha how to do something basic like dislocating joints in a way that wouldn’t cause injury, just immobilize. That’s what self-defense is.”

“But why would you teach her something like that?!”

“Like I said, self-defense.”

“Dad, knock it off. I think Frank is going to pass out if you keep going. Sorry, Maryam… he’s only joking.”

“Tch.”

Okay, that’s it… I don’t think I can ignore the signs anymore. I know I never tisked like that. My… or Alex’s I guess… sense of humor was always a little, okay, a lot dark, yet it wasn’t that bad… Well… maybe it was at certain times. Frank was one of those people that could set me off. I usually got along with him, but he could get a little too crass for my taste. Sounds like his son didn’t fall far from the tree. I didn’t know he was that bad though.

Thinking about that, I’m positive things have changed. The way people are acting, certain things being subtly, or not so subtly different… I know I can be dense when it comes to people, even with my observational training I’m hopeless when it comes to picking up on non-physical cues.

Emotions are, or were, foreign to me. I spent most of my life trying to suppress them out of fear I would hurt those around me.

I guess fear is an emotion too, but I digress…

All this is to say; I’m sure people were more subdued before. Take the waitress’ at Murries. I’m sure that wouldn’t have happened before. Maybe someone would have acted that way, there are billions of people on this planet, though I’m sure stuff like that wouldn’t happen as often as it has been.

My thoughts are going in circles. Heck, I’m even confusing myself now…

“Hahaha, Sasha definitely knows Alex and she already has him wrapped around her little finger! Did you see his face when she called him dad?!” No, Natalie, you’re making it worse!

Cough, cough cough. “No, I just got bored of teasing Frank.”

And now he’s acting like that?!

Crap.

“Natalie.”

“What?”

“I think we need to work on your situational skills.”

“Come on mom…”

“E-hem. As fun as this has been, I believe it’s time for Alyssa and me to leave. Thanks for showing us around Sasha.”

“Oh, okay Maryam. Thank you for taking the time to come visit. I know it’s a bit of a drive.”

“No problem Sasha. It’s part of the job.”

“Thank you, Sasha, Alex. You have a really nice house. If you have any questions about school, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“That reminds me. Alex, were you able to get Sasha in for a physical yet?”

“It’s Monday after school. That’s the earliest my doctor could make an appointment.”

“That will be fine. One other thing, since Sasha is starting Monday, would you like me to give you a tour of the school tomorrow? I have a few things to wrap up and will be there in the afternoon.”

“We’re having a barbecue tomorrow as a housewarming party and to celebrate Sasha being here and making it into Plumb Valley, though we could probably make it in the evening if that works?”

“Kennith and I are bringing most of our company employees as well. Why don’t you bring your family and I’m sure Alyssa would be welcome.”

“Mm! Alyssa, you should come too!” Come on… Please let me talk normally…

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t know anyone, and I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“It’s fine. You know us, and you’re welcome any time.” Nice one Alex. That even made her blush.

“It would be a good way for you to meet people, you recently moved here after all.” Way to clench it, Maryam.

I hoped Alyssa would come. She gave off that big sister feeling and I liked being around her. Too bad Alex was a ‘construct’ or I would be trying to get them together. Even with the age difference, I think she’s into him. Maybe my change made me notice these things more… It could just be my imagination……

Maybe not, the other ladies have a gleam in their eyes. I think I felt a chill go down my spine. Should I be scared right now?

“If you don’t mind. It sounds like fun and I love a good barbecue.”

“Great. Alex is really good with a grill.”

“I wouldn’t go that far…”

“Quit being so modest. I know for sure your food is good.”

“That reminds me, you don’t get any Kennith.”

“Whaaa?! Why not?”

“That’s what you get for stealing my food all these years.”

“Oh, come on… I came all this way to help you out, and this is the thanks I get?”

“Kennith.”

“Umm… Yes, dear?”

“Quit digging yourself a grave.”

“R-right.”

“Can we let Mr. McGreggor have some barbecue? He helped us out so much today.” This is one time I will ignore my speech patterns… Kennith might have been a pain, but he was a good boss for the most part, and he did help us today. I think we can forgive him this one time.

“Urck…”

“Haha, That look!” Shut it, Natalie, you’re going to ruin it!

“We-well, I guess he can.”

Huh, with that reaction, maybe this is what they mean when they say ‘cute is justice’?

Nope. Not going there!

“Ah, thank you, Sasha!”

“Kennith, stop digging.”

“Yes, dear.”

Ya, this is bad. I have a bad feeling that this is unquestionably an alternate reality or something. How deep the rabbit hole goes is another question, and I don’t know if I want the answer.

Maryam and Alyssa left after that little farce, and it didn’t take very long to get the rest of the furniture in place. While the guys were working on getting the couch, chairs, and t.v. in the living room; Rebecca, Natalie, and I finished my room and bathroom. There wasn’t much for me to put away in the bathroom until Rebecca gave me a bunch of brushes and a new hair dryer.

They keep giving me these things and I don’t know how to take it. They even brought a new set of soft flannel sheets in gray and a dark purple oversized down comforter. To make it worse, there was a giant wolf plushy that was as big as me laying by my pillows.

Why… Why do they keep doing this? It’s too much.

Standing there with tears in my eyes, I couldn’t say anything. I don’t understand. I know Rebecca, Natalie and the rest of their family are really good people, but I don’t understand why they would go so far for us.

Being wrapped in a hug from the two women, I heard three words that made me feel so many emotions; happiness, sadness, the loss of what once was, and the hope that things would get better and that I could live a new and better life.

“Welcome home Sasha.”

I… I guess I am.

“Mm!”