“No, that’s not what I meant,” Minerva said. “I only meant that it’s more common to have a complicated life when you don’t have a lot of money, right? That’s what mom said to me one time. I was mad at her because she didn’t buy me a toy and then she gave money to a dirty lady who was living in the park. I complained about the toy and about the lady being dirty. And she said that life could be more complicated when you were poor, and it wasn’t always easy to do normal things, like stay clean.”
Sun gods, this girl.
“Your mom was right,” April said, feeling tears burn in her eyes, but willing herself not to shed them. “My life was complicated, and I did what I had to do in order to get by. I’m really lucky I never had to live outside. But now that I’m here, I can make different choices.”
“You’re happy with us?” Minerva guessed.
“You and your sister make me so happy,” April said.
“And you like my dad, too, right?” Minerva asked.
April nodded, not wanting to say it out loud for fear of follow-up questions.
“He likes you, too. I can tell,” Minerva confided. “He hasn’t been on dates or anything since Mom. But he looks at you like he’s trying to figure something out.”
April opened her mouth and closed it again.
They’d had one night of passion that he clearly thought was a mistake. And since then, things had only gotten worse and worse.
“I’m not sure that’s what he’s thinking about,” she said carefully after a moment.
“We need you. My dad needs you too, even if he doesn’t know it yet,” Minerva said, a tinge of sadness in her sweet voice. “Don’t give up on us, April.”
“Rings of Nyfantus,” April declared. “You are wise beyond your years. But I should be saying that to you. I don’t want you to give up on your yourself, Min. I want you to find your happiness. Even if you have to wait until you grow up, I know you’ll find a way to fly.”
Minerva wrapped an arm around April’s shoulders and squeezed hard, just as Bo pounded back toward them.
“What are you doing?” Bo demanded. “He’s only got three starfruit ices left.”
“Okay, okay,” April laughed, tousling Bo’s dark hair. “We’re coming.”