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And then I discarded them.
Women were like a pair of shoes to me. If I liked them after trying them on, I’d keep them around for a while but not much longer.
As I entered the kitchen, I saw the girls setting plates at the table and talking with each other. When they saw me they stopped and immediately came over to eat with me.
“Uncle Ash,” Maggie’s arm went around my waist immediately.
Luna, who was older and more reserved simply smiled and jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “We didn’t know if you were doing dinner. She’s making something.”
“Well, it smells delicious, whatever it is.”
My gaze moved to Halo who had a pair of white earbuds in her ear. She had a glass of wine sitting nearby and was stirring the pot while scrolling on her phone. As I approached, I scanned her phone and saw she was looking at a recipe.
She noticed me and pulled an earbud out, her body tensing for just a moment. Her eyes met my own and I found myself noting she had a little blue fleck in her hazel eyes. There was a deep need to pull her into my arms and kiss her deeply.
I made sure to refrain.
“Are you joining us tonight?” She asked finally looking away.
“Is that alright if I do?”
She shrugged. “It’s your house.”
“Our house,” I said gently as if to reassure her.
Halo turned and gave me a quick false smile. “Whatever you say.”
Quickly, I grabbed her arm not liking her reactions. She stopped in her motions and looked down at my hand.
“Halo...”
Her eyes slowly drifted upward, her eyelashes like black fans. Her lips were so full and pouty and I wanted to kiss her. “What?”
I realized that the room had grown quiet and my nieces were looking at the two of us. It probably looked strange because Halo and I didn’t touch.
“Nothing,” I murmured before removing myself and sitting at the table.
We went about the meal quietly until Maggie had simply had enough. She couldn’t sit still for more than five seconds. Secretly, I was happy.
“Uncle Ashton, are we going to the festival?” She started looking between Halo and me as she shoved food into her mouth.
I winced as food started going everywhere. My sister had been a saint because listening to other people chew drove me nuts. In fact, I preferred to eat alone.
“What festival?” I caught Halo’s eye and she shrugged.
Luna finally interjected. “The school has this carnival every year. The Japanese American Sisterhood helps to put it on. It’s part of why mom had us at that school and why we moved to Atlanta. She wanted us to be in touch with our culture.”
“Oh,” I mumbled feeling slightly dumb that a fourteen-year-old knew more than me.
I still hadn’t figured out much of Abby’s life. The tuition for the girls had been fully paid for but I had no idea how. Abby had been a nurse with a base salary. She didn’t have large pits of money and our parents had cut her off.
“Where is the carnival?” Halo asked.
“Downtown Atlanta,” Luna shrugged.
“So?” Maggie asked, her face wide and food sticking to it.
Halo grinned and leaned over with a napkin. “You’re a messy eater. But if your uncle thinks it's fine. I’d love to go.”
