Without Words

10- Atomic Foxes

A/N: Italicized are flashbacks.

"This is ridiculous."

"This is necessary." Katelyn insisted as she handed me a black beret. I stared at her, horrified.

"I am not wearing that."

"Oh, come one. You're an artist and practically British with that accent of yours and you still use slang words I have no idea what means." She explained like it was an obvious thing. "Plus, we're being spies. We need disguises."

"I still don't get why Bob's my uncle." Luca mumbled under his breath, fixing the large black spectacles and fake mustache he was wearing.

"I think a beret would make me stand out."

"It's October. You're wearing it. Now, places everyone."

My dad plays a game with us when we were kids: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Matt and I have stubbornness and temper management issues. Being close in age, we go into petty fights most of the time, especially when we don't get our way. Mom's stress level go higher the minute we start shouting so dad's the one that always calms us down.

"But I wanted to go with them." Six year old Elle pouted, wiping the snot off her nose. It was the weekend and she has been having fever since Thursday. Naturally, she needs to take some rest at home. But they have weekly play dates at the park with Danny and she cannot not go.

"You will next weekend." Charles wiped her face gently with a napkin. "Now, you need to stop being sick."

"But I'm not sick." Elle whined, ran away from his grasp and shouted for her brother. "Maaattt!" But it was already too late. From the window, she could see they were already in the car with Danny's mom. She cried even louder, she didn't like seeing them leaving her. "Danny!!!!" Like usual, Dan looks like he has a radar just for her. He turned around and saw her from the window, a pained expression marred his face and he said something to his mom. Elle ran to the door, wanting to go to them but her dad caught her finally and carried her to her bedroom.

Charles sat on the bed and settled her on his lap. "Let's play a game, baby."

"Noooo."

"The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."

She stopped her sobs for a second and tried to settle down. She loves playing the game because dad would get her any sweets she wants if they finish it.

"You staying here and resting." Charles said soothingly, wrapping her blankie around her. "What's The Good?'

She hiccupped, wiping furiously the tears from her eyes. "I won't be sick anymore and will feel better."

"The bad?"

A whimper came out of her. "I won't get to play with Matt and Danny."

"The ugly?"

"They would forget about me." Now, Elle wailed and collapsed on the bed, grabbing her blankie tightly.

"Now, Elle, do you believe they would forget about you?" Charles smiled and pulled the blankie from her face. "Would someone forget their sister and best friend because she was sick and away?"

Elle pursed her lips, mulling over it. "No, they won't"

"Then there's no ugly isn't there?"

"But there's still bad, I don't get to play." Elle pouted, loud hiccups coming out of her.

"There's a bad so we'll have the good- you feeling better." Charles grabbed a dry towel and wiped her forehead. "Right now, you have a stuffy nose, very hot skin and headache. If you don't stay and rest, we'll only have the bad."