Bastian coughed getting up. “I’ll never understand you my friend.” Then he went over to the mantle and picked up his pipe then turned his head towards the door. “I wonder what’s keeping Lilly.”
***
“Hah! Take that!” The little brown haired boy said slamming the long broom handle down on the bed as Lilly rolled out of the way smiling.
“Not fast enough yet squirt.” She jumped using the spring in the mattress and somersaulted over and landing neatly behind him. The end of the duster jabbed gently into the little boy’s back. “Got you.”
“Aw. I’ll never win against you.” He whined.
She dropped the duster and rustled his hair. “Sure you will. When I’m an old woman!” She teased and stepped back as the boy swung the broom handle back at her. She caught it and pulled it from him. “What’s the first lesson?” She asked taking on a motherly tone.
The boy’s expression sagged his lips pursed. “Loose your temper loose the fight.”
Her smile returned. “That’s right. Now scoot I’ve gotta get dressed for supper, Mother and father are expecting me down now that Jaden is here.”
The boy’s face lit up. “Jaden’s here. I didn’t know!” He took of running as fast as he could out of her room leaving her shaking her head. Shadows of the past reminded her of a time when it was her that ran at the mere mention of Jaden’s name. Even though she was happy he was back, she couldn’t help but feel angry with him for staying away for so long.
