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“You probably have a pile of homework waiting for you at home,” I said.
“No, I brought it with me. I left my backpack on the front porch.”
I shot Ray a helpless look. I didn’t want to shoo Alicia home like she was a nuisance. As a foster kid, I knew how it felt to be unwanted, and I refused to inflict that pain on any child.
“Why don’t you bring it inside and you can work on it in the parlor room? Your grandfather can help you.”
Alicia scraped back her chair and stood. “I don’t need help, but I’d like the company.”
Ray smiled. “That’s my girl.”
Pausing, she looked at Claude. “Does he do any tricks?”
“He isn’t a circus animal,” Matilda said indignantly.
“No, but he’s certainly a freak,” Addison said under her breath.
Matilda’s gaze sharpened. “I heard that.”
Claude pivoted to face Alicia and extended his fingers.
“He’s offering to shake your hand,” I said.
Alicia reached for him and shook gently. “His skin feels dry. He needs lotion.”
I retrieved the bottle of hand lotion that I kept next to the sink and handed it to Alicia. “Would you like to do the honors?”
Addison’s upper lip lifted. “How much do you hate this kid?”
Alicia glanced at her. “I want to do it. It’ll make him feel better.”
Ray clutched his chest. “I think I’m going to cry.”
She pumped lotion into her hand. “Is it okay if I rub this on you?”
Claude crooked a finger in a ‘go ahead’ gesture.
Smiling, she slathered the lotion on the hand. “I don’t think it will help your spots, but my mom says it’s healthier for your skin if it’s moisturized.”
Matilda shook her head in wonder. “The girl is right. Apologies for not thinking to do such a thing for you, Claude.”
Claude flipped over and let Alicia moisturize his palm. His fingers curled as though responding to a tickle.
Alicia’s smile was wide enough to strain her cheeks. “He’s awesome. Can we keep him?”
“Claude serves me,” Matilda said.
“Can I take a photo of him on my shoulder? If I put in my Insta stories, it’ll disappear after twenty-four hours.”
“No photos,” I said.
She took the refusal in stride, much like everything else thrown her way.
Claude scrambled onto Alicia’s shoulder and tickled her under the arm. Giggling, she asked him to stop. The revenant complied, jumping back to the table.
“I’m glad you’ve made a friend,” Matilda told him, “but we’re here for a more important purpose.”
“What is it?” Alicia asked.
