Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Jo whispered to me, “Our nieces?”
“We’re all family now.”
Jo checked the aunts out. “At least they seem cool, but I don’t want to. . .”
“What?”
“Trust it all just yet. Seems like when everything is going great, that’s the exact moment when things go bad.”
“Well, things are different now. Trust that it is all good, even them.”
“I’ll try. It’s just that we’ve been living broke, tragedy after tragedy. Being happy seems like it will be harder to get used to.” Jo lifted her view, gaped at the chandelier and whistled. “Moni, this is insane. It’s like a palace.”
Chloe caught what she said and chuckled. “Yes, Jo. I feel like I should be wearing a ball gown. This place is incredible!”
Aunt Suzi clapped further away. “Oh goodie, Chloe. We bought several ball gowns so you can put one on and wear it for the cookout.”
Chloe gave her a silly smile. “That’s so funny.”
Aunt Suzi blinked. “What did I say that was funny?”
Chloe widened her eyes and looked at me. “Oh. Uh. . .”
I nodded. “She was serious about the ball gowns.”
Aunt Suzi bobbed her head. “I never joke about a good ball gown. Tonight, Chloe, will be one of your many Cinderella moments.”
Jo snickered.
“Oh.” Chloe chuckled. “Okay then. Uh. Maybe.”
“Perfect.” Aunt Suzi went up the stairs with Aunt Min. “We’ll have to find the wardrobe bags with the gowns and get them ready!”
Chloe glanced back at me. “This place is. . .different.”
“That’s an understatement, but. . .we’ll get used to it. . .I hope.”
Rose was about to head inside, but her phone rung. She checked it and backed up. “I’m so sorry. I have to take this.”
“No problem.”
She remained out on the porch.
However, Einstein entered, taking every bit of the space in detail.
As we had walked to the house, he’d asked me nicely not to call him Smarty. It appeared that like Gunner, he had reinvented himself too.
At least, I liked his new nickname. It fit him perfectly. As kids, Einstein kept his nose in a book, almost never playing with us. It didn’t matter if it was hide and seek, tag, or freaking hop scotch. Einstein would either sit on his apartment building’s stoop or on Marcelo’s porch and read all damn day until there was no sunlight.
Jo disrupted my thoughts and nudged me with her elbow. “Girl, you got to teach me how to hoe for a home.”
I scowled at her.
“Come on.” Jo winked. “Just one tip.”
“I’m about to kick your ass, Jo. I did not hoe for this house.”
Jo pretended to be like Dima. She took out this invisible notebook and held an invisible pen. Then, she looked up at me. “But if you did know how to hoe for a home. . .how would you do it?”
“Girl, I’m ignoring you.”
“What’s over here?” Chloe took TT’s hand and they headed toward the living room. Both raised their views to the other huge chandelier above the plush velvet couches and marble coffee table.
Einstein, Jo, and I followed them.
Chloe shook her head. “This can’t be real.”
A swell of pride entered my chest.
Lotus Blossom was so far from anything we’d ever known and their wonder at its elegance made me feel like I had done something right by bringing them here.
As we moved further into the house, Jo kept shaking her head in disbelief, while Chloe seemed to be cataloging every detail, already planning where she would spend most of her time.
When we reached the staircase with the dragon railing, TT’s eyes popped open.
Jo raised her hands in defeat. “I don’t even know what to say to that. Is that a dragon? It’s like the East is really trying to make me love it.”
I nodded. “It’s a dragon.”
TT wore a huge smile. “We have a dragon in our house now.”
I loved hearing her say our house.
"It’s a little creepy though.” Chloe touched the face. “Almost like I should be quiet so it doesn’t wake up.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I thought the same thing. This will be another thing to get used to.”
Chloe let out a nervous laugh.
TT grinned. “We should name the dragon. It will be our pet.”
I nodded. “We could do that.”
Einstein went over to it. “This is beautiful and terrifying.”
“Naw.” Jo stepped forward. “This is seriously next level. Whoever designed this place had a wild imagination.”
I smiled. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m glad you all like it.”
“Like it?” Chloe said, her voice high with excitement. “I love it! I feel like I’m in a movie or something.”
"So. . .” I held out my hands. “You three are cool with moving in tonight? Right?”
Chloe bobbed her head. “Girl, I’m about to put on my ball gown, get some ribs and then relax in our new spot. I’m not ever leaving.”
TT glanced at the door. “Would I be able to bring the puzzle pieces inside?”