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“I think she might be better off being homeschooled, but Shannon wasn’t

planning on taking time off from work. Sky was a, well, a very nice and

very welcome surprise. She’ll be going back in six months, as soon as Sky

is a year old. I don’t think they can get by on one income.”

“I’m really sorry. I hope they can work it out. If you want, I could do

some research on schools and maybe on transportation? I could make time

this afternoon or tomorrow. I, uh, I know how rough school can be. Well,

no, that’s not entirely true. I guess I know what a hard experience it can be.

Sorry, maybe I’m just going on about nothing here.”

“No, no,” Beth said with a smile. “I could give you her address if you

really wouldn’t mind looking it up? I love Amelia. She’s a great kid.

Doesn’t deserve the half of this. If she could find somewhere that’s a good

fit for her, we’d all be so relieved, not to mention the twelve or so years of

horribleness it’s going to save her.”

Arabella nodded. “I can definitely look.”

Sky reached for Beth’s blouse and tugged hard at the lapels of the bright

pink, flowy shirt. She turned into her, giggled, then let out a belch that

ended up being more of a barf. Beth grunted when she realized that she’d

just been soaked in baby spit up.

“That’s a thing with her,” Beth explained dryly. “Still.”

“I’m sure she’ll grow out of it.” Arabella stood and held out her arms.

“Here. I can take her if you want to go attempt to clean that up.”

“Attempt would be the right word.” Despite the massive amount of

upchuck on her shirt, Beth had a smile for her granddaughter as she handed

her over to Arabella. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Take your time. I’ll be here.”

“I have a diaper bag under the desk just in case. I wouldn’t try giving her

anything to eat, unless you want to wear her lunch as well. Don’t fall for it,

no matter how hard she tries to tell you otherwise.”

“I think I can handle it,” Arabella said. She sat back down in the chair in