Page 81 of C is for Comfort

“Soon,” I promise. “Once Corey and Lexi get here.”

“Who?”

“Corey is Uncle Spence’s boyfriend,” Tabitha says in a bored tone. “Don’t you pay attention to anything?”

“Tabitha,” I say in a warning tone. “Have a little patience.”

She folds her arms. It must be hard for her having a brother who’s almost half her age. I know Emily got fed up with me when we were kids—before Dad died anyway—and there’s only a two year age gap between us.

“Here they are now,” I say, pointing down the busy street.

I smile and wave at Corey. He grins and, holding Lexi’s hand tightly, hurries towards us. I want to greet him with a hug and a kiss, but I’m not sure what he’s told Lexi. She stares at me, her eyes narrowed. I guess that probably does mean she knows Corey and I are together.

“Hi, Lexi,” I say, crouching down. “Do you remember me?”

“Yes. You’re Doctor Price, and you’re dating my daddy.”

“That’s right. I’d prefer it if you called me Spence. Doctor Price is rather formal.” I motion towards her arm. “You got your cast off?”

“Yesterday.”

“How does your wrist feel?”

Lexi flexes her hand and rotates her wrist. “Fine.”

“No soreness?”

“Maybe a little.”

“Did they give you some exercises?”

She nods.

“Will you do them?”

“She will,” Corey says when Lexi stays quiet.

“This is Robbie,” I say, pausing for my nephew to wave. “And this is Tabitha. They’re my sister’s kids.”

“Daddy said,” Lexi says.

I glance at Corey, who gives me an apologetic look.

I stand. “Who’s ready to have fun at the zoo?”

“Me!” Robbie says, jumping up and down.

Laughing, I ruffle his hair. “Let’s go in.”

I’ve already booked tickets, so we join the priority queue and get in quickly.

“The gorillas are first,” Tabitha says, taking charge of the map.

“I want to see the lions,” Robbie says.

“I want to see the penguins,” Lexi adds.

“The penguins are over there,” Tabitha says, pointing. “Pastthe gorillas.”