Chapter 2- Galen
I went outside and looked around for Cora. I didn't see her anywhere nearby so I headed towards the beach right by our house. We lived on a private stretch of land in California right by a private stretch of beach. Cora was always sneaking off into the water. I saw her walking on the beach, just wandering around, and ran to catch up with her. "Cora!"
Cora turned and looked at me, head tilted curiously. "Hi daddy."
I frowned at her. "Cora, you know you shouldn't be out here by yourself."
Cora pouted. "But I was bored."
"That's no excuse. Come on, breakfast is ready." I took her hand and led her back to the house. Emma was cleaning up and Cole was in his room when we got there.
Emma looked over at Cora. "And where were you?"
I sighed. "By the water, like always." I had Cora sit and start eating and had her go to her room when she finished.
"Isn't she still grounded from last time?"
"Yeah, she is." I helped Emma finish cleaning up.
Emma sighed. "What are we going to do with her? Punishing her doesn't work. Have you explained to her why she can't just run off like that?"
"Many times. Time after time after time. But she just disregards it. She has no sense of self-preservation."
"Well she's only seven."
I shook my head. "That's no excuse for her behavior. In my world fingerlings know not to stray far."
"Well this isn't the sea Galen. Human children are like this."
I sighed. "Whatever Emma." We had been getting into arguments a lot lately. "I'm going for a swim." I went outside and headed to the beach.