Amber left home early, so during lunch, I b

are coming over after lu

" Dad said. "I'm curious

Mom said

t I avoid bringing the gi

th Amber. Discuss the rul

g, but after lunch, I quickly tidied up the g

o'clock, the

if I'm at the right place, b

here. Come in," my mom

, faded jeans. Looks like she owns two pairs. At least this o

self and shook han

," my dad gestu

used to this kind of setting. My m

. It's a bit crumbly, bu

sn't crumbly-it should have been eaten with a spoon. At le

t needs a different ratio of ba

est. As a psychologist, she was

ur mother?

We recently moved here. She takes care of

re of our dog, Theodor

is intern someday, but he gave up his practice due to illness a few years ago. I had th

m, so my mom is close but we don't disturb each othe

so close. Why do you co

" Jane noted quietly, just

in and immediately blurted out the question. "So

a bit superficial to me. I

raightened herself, and shook hands with Amber.

ouldn't even know my name," she continued. "Honestly, I st

r laughter, while I was filled with helpless fru

you didn't act rudel

do call me 'little girl,' don't you?"

the doorbell saved her.

all don't mind, let's

we headed upstairs. I heard whisperin

about?" Paul asked, since neit

ontinued. "We could cover everythi

starts too late, and it's

d agree with her,

ested. "Eggs,

arby where we could observe the ani

, squirrels, everything. We had been debating for almost an hour and

observe, you just need a good camera, and if

t I didn't want to s

," Paul sa

I agreed,

now," Paul said. "If you don't mind, I need to go soon. I have to get home before the

etly, looking at me as if she could read my mind. "

, she won't be so alone," Paul said. "You promised it

e," Jane smiled at Paul befor

-aleck was comin

nute?" Amber stepped out of her room. If I d

help?" Jane was

ss. Could you put it

her. I escorted Paul downstairs, we quickly sa

d asked. "Did you f

ot like this girl says I am," I started defendi

er, son. We love

is-my dad's riddles so

ost an hour. Shannon would be here in less th

arted pouri

you later," Amber sa

Mrs. Simmons." She immediately put on her shoes

drive you home-it

no more than ten minutes," Jane started babbling, suddenl

ase drive her home. My car is in the garage

me on, li

's car, so of course, I'd take anyone h

llowed me to the garage.

I drove out. It was re

blurted out in the silence. "Whatever I think, it's n

nned. I had managed

, we almost rea

If it rains like this, the bus will be slow,"

ind, yes. Thank

em. I'll come for

ght,

d rushed into the

ldn't leave Shannon alone. I quickly got home and parked b

a model," I heard Amber's

ntroduced yours

old me how much they've hear

ew-they said t

ould be cuter in pink," Shannon said about on

, thank you," my

del, I'd be happy to help design. Ma

ing," my mom interjected before Ambe

m watching my figu

I deserved it-I had a big mouth. After Jane, this girl couldn't come out w

ingfully to many topics, or she said something silly-just as they suspected.

was relieved. We said g