Chapter 9 - LILA’S SECOND OFFER
Lila turned eight.
Claire held a birthday party in a small community center.
No security spectacle.
No luxury ballroom.
Pizza.
Cupcakes.
Children screaming.
Terrifying.
I attended.
Marcus stood outside because he claimed he preferred guarding the door to being hit with balloons.
Coward.
Lila opened presents.
Books.
Art supplies.
A microscope kit from Daniel.
Then she walked toward me.
“Mr. Reed.”
“Jonathan.”
Claire corrected from across the room.
Lila grinned.
“Jonathan.”
She handed me an envelope.
I immediately became suspicious.
“What is this?”
“A deal.”
Claire groaned.
“Lila.”
I opened it.
A drawing.
Me.
Daniel.
Claire.
Lila.
Marcus.
All standing outside the pawn shop.
Above us:
NO ONE HAS TO PAY TO BE HELPED
My throat tightened.
Underneath, in smaller letters:
But thank you anyway.
I looked at her.
“What do I give you?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Nothing.”
“Terrible negotiation.”
She laughed.
Then hugged me.
I froze.
Adults feared me.
Children apparently ignored reputation.
I hugged her back carefully.
Claire watched.
Something softened in her face.
Not romance.
Trust.
Different.
May you like
More valuable.
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