Chapter Four: Friday, evening
Back in her car, Brennan called Booth.
"Booth," he answered.
"Hey, it's me," Brennan replied.
"Hey, Bones! How did it go?"
"Pretty well. She's very creative… but I can't say I understand the book she's reading. Harry Something-or -other."
"Harry Potter?"
"Yeah, that's it. How did you know?"
"Parker's reading them," Booth explained. "So, what does your 'little sister' call you?"
Tentatively, Brennan responded, "I let her call me 'Auntie Bones.'" Booth was silent for a moment.
"But- but I call you Bones," Booth said in a distressed voice.
"I know," Brennan replied.
"But- but I call you Bones," Booth repeated himself.
"Booth," Brennan said, "I can hear the pout in your voice." More silence. "You aren't… just a little bit…. jealous of Carrie are, are you?"
"NO! Why should I be jealous of a sweet, cute, adorable, ten-year-old girl?"
"Booth, I think you're overreacting just a little," Brennan replied. "Actually," she said, an idea coming to her, "she's a lot like you."
"How so?"
"She's sensitive and sweet, and she can tell when I'm lying…" Brennan said.
"You're right. But that last part doesn't sound like me. That last part sounds like Sweets."
"I wasn't finished. She refers to forensic anthropology as 'staring at dead people for a living.'"
Booth burst out laughing. "Were those her exact words?"
"Yeah," Brennan said. "Do you want to meet her?"
"Okay," Booth said. "When?"
"Monday, after school."
"Okay, I'll be sure to check with my mommy to see if I can go or not," Booth said sarcastically.
"I meant after school for Carrie," Brennan said, exasperated.
"I know what you meant."