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More Paper (1/1)

"You gotta hold your arm very still," Angie instructed as Grace applied a Felix tattoo to Kendra's left arm.

"I'm sorry about this," Catherine said with an apologetic smile. "You're probably exhausted from your flight."

"It's not a problem," Kendra assured her. "I'm the one who suggested we stop by and say hi. It was great being home for a couple of months but I really missed you guys. All the pictures and videos helped a lot but honestly, I just couldn't wait to see you in person."

Grace had picked Kendra up from the airport just an hour earlier. They'd stopped off at the beach house on their way to Danny's where the girls would be staying for a couple of weeks until it was time to move into the dorm.

"Everybody in our family got a Felix tattoo, right DJ?" Angie asked as she stood up on her chair to get a better look.

DJ nodded then giggled. "Uncle Adam even had to cover his up for some important meetings. He didn't know it would last for two weeks."

"I will wear mine proudly," Kendra promised as the paper was pulled back revealing another successful portrait of Angie's goat. "I have a meeting with the dean of my department tomorrow and I can't wait to show him."

Grace snorted. "Dr. Ramstead is cool. I'm sure he'll laugh when he sees it. He might even want one of his own."

"He can have one," Angie said matter of factly. "We're getting more paper and ink because we was running out."

Catherine chuckled. "To the surprise of absolutely no one."

"I'm goin' to big kids school this year," Angie said excitedly with a typical toddler change of topic. "The same school DJ goes to."

"I know!" Kendra beamed. "You're such a big girl. I'll bet you can't wait for the first day."

Angie scowled slightly. "Mommy and Daddy said it's too many sleeps to start counting yet until the first day of school. How come you first day is already here?"

"It's not the real first day of classes yet," Kendra explained. "The dean of the music department asked me if I would be willing to come back early, along with a few other members of the orchestra, to help get things organized for the fall concert schedule."

"That's a big honor," Catherine told the children. "It means her teachers know they can count on Kendra to help them out."

"Ms. Lane always said I'm a good helper," DJ said proudly. "I'm gonna do the same thing for my new teacher."

"I know you will," Catherine told him.

"I'm gonna help my new teacher too," Angie vowed. "I'll be a very, very good listener and do everything she says for me to do."

"That's my girl," Steve said as he came into the kitchen. "I checked that squeak, Gracie. It was just a loose belt. I tightened it up and you're good to go."

"Thanks, Uncle Steve. I appreciate it," she said. "But you didn't have to do that. I could have taken it to the garage."

"No problem at all," Steve said. "As soon as I heard the sound it was making when you pulled in the driveway I knew your fan belt was slipping. Easy fix."

"I helped daddy change the oil in his truck and in mommy's car," DJ reported. "You have to be real careful to make sure everything is tightened up right because if the oil leaks out that's super bad, right Daddy?"

"That's right." Steve went to the sink to wash his hands. "You were very careful about that. You did a great job and were a big help."

DJ beamed with pride.

"I know you're gonna be busy between now and when classes start," Catherine said, "but just remember, nothing has changed. Feel free to come over and spend time on the beach whenever you want."

"Maybe your mommy and daddy will plan a date night to give me a reason to come over and babysit you guys," Kendra said, eliciting cheers from both Angie and DJ.

"I'm sure that can be arranged," Steve said as he dried his hands.

"Excellent." Kendra admired her new tattoo. "All of my work with the dean will be done during the day so I'm free almost every night until classes start. The only other thing I have to do is go shopping for some clothes and supplies. It's easier for me to buy everything here than to get it at home and ship it over."

"Me and DJ went shopping with mommy and grandma to get new clothes for school," Angie said. "It was very, very fun. We also got pencils and crayons and all the things for my backpack."

"All of my folders have baseball on them." DJ smiled. "One even has the Cubs logo."

"That's awesome," Kendra bubbled. "Luckily Grace will be with me when we go shopping to keep me focused. If she wasn't I'd end up wandering all over the mall for hours then leaving without the things I need the most."

"Grandma can help you," Angie offered. "She's a really good shopper.

"She is." DJ agreed. "Daddy and grandpa say she goes to the mall so much she should have her own parking spot."

Steve barked a laugh. "It's true."

"And when you're done shopping, grandma always says let's go for ice cream!" Angie's eyes sparkled.

"Yum," Kendra said. "I like the sound of that. My parents still talk about how much they love the pineapple ice cream they had last time they were here. You can't get that kind of thing back home."

"Well they'll be able to get some more soon." Catherine smiled. "I got an email from your mom last week and she mentioned that your whole family is coming over for a visit this fall."

"They are. I'm so excited." Kendra clapped her hands together. "Last time they were here I didn't know my way around any better than they did but this time I'll be able to show them all the great places you guys have introduced me to. It's gonna be super fun."

"Are you brothers and sister coming too?" Angie asked hopefully.

Kendra nodded. "They sure are."

"YAY!" Angie stood up on her chair and cheered. "They can all get Felix tattoos when they get here. Your mommy and daddy too."

"We'll have to wait and ask them if they want to get one," Catherine told her daughter.

Angie looked perplexed as though she couldn't fathom the thought of someone not wanting a Felix tattoo.

"Don't worry," Kendra told Angie in a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm sure they'll all want one."

"And we can go to the zoo and they can meet Felix in person and show him their tattoos," Angie said. "He loves seeing them."

"That sounds like a plan." Kendra booped Angie's nose. "I can't wait."

THE END

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