And... I'm late again. But still going
Skye was seven when she fell down the stairs. Jane was in the kitchen.
"Skye?"
Skye made a noise of pain. Jane came out, wiping her fingers on her shirt. "Skye?" Her little voice was tight. She shrieked when she saw her sister lying at the bottom of the stairs.
"Are you okay?" She knelt next to Skye.
"You need a doctor." She said breathlessly. "Or perhaps just someone to take care of you. Would you like me to take care of you Skye?"
As soon as Jane and I got back from Quigley woods, I retreated into the bathroom to Jeffrey.
"Jeffrey. I have a problem."
"I am aware of that."
I turned to face the mirror, then away again. "It's about Jane."
"How is our girl doing?"
"She had a rough day." I said. Frowning.
"And you?" His voice sounded stretched.
"I'm okay. I have a theory though. And you can help me."
"I can?"
I smiled. "Yes."
"Right. The sacrifices I make Skye…"
"It's not a sacrifice, I promise."
I looked out the window; Ben and Batty were chasing Hound around. The ground had a dusting of snow today. The creek would be frozen soon.
I could hear him sigh. "What do you want me to do?"
"Come visit." I said, and then, before he could say anything: "At the time of our Christmas dance."
"And go to your Christmas dance." He said. He didn't understand.
"Yes."
"With?"
"Not me." I said, realizing what he was thinking. I laughed. "With Jane. As a friend. So she doesn't have to deal with people at our school."
"Oh." He said. There was a small pause. "I'm in. What's the date?"