Closer 2

151.

Elise quieted down after baba talked to her. She sat nicely at the table, ate her food, was nice about getting her teeth brushed, and went quietly to bed. Not one word the whole evening after apologizing to baba for acting up.

"I thought you said she acted up in the evenings?" Belle asked Eddy while Brett was in Benjamin's room trying to get him to sleep too. Eddy shrugged.

"I guess having you here is good influence on her," he commented, reaching out to grab one of the chocolate chip cookies they had bought to have for the evening. They normally didn't have much snacks in the house as Brett still refused to eat anything that seemed remotely unhealthy, though he did make an exception for the occasional bubble tea.

"I don't know, Eddy, I don't know many kids, but the way she quieted down felt almost eerie," Belle pointed out, crossing her legs. "It didn't seem like she was happy to come back tothe table, you know?"

"I guess, but as long as she's quiet, right? If she isn't crying, things can't be that bad, can they?" Eddy half asked, biting into the cookie. Thankfully it didn't crumble too much. Belle shook he head slightly.

"I don't know, honestly. I don't have much experience with kids, but she was a cheerful, happy angel while we were playing and as soon as we went to join you guys it's as if something clicked for her," Belle said, grabbing a cookie for herself.

"So you're saying she doesn't like us?"

Belle looked up at her brother, who honestly looked like she had insulted his parenting. She supposed she kind of had, but he was her little brother. He had heard worse from her.
"I'm just saying what I am seeing. If you interpret that as her not liking you, then maybe there's some truth to it," she said, a bit sterner in the same way she would be stern with him when their mom left her in charge back when they were kids. Eddy turned away like he used to, too.

"It's not easy to like the people who set rules for you, I suppose," Eddy huffed, putting the rest of the cookie in his mouth and crossing his arms.

"When was the last time you had a nice time alone with her, then?"

"Hey guys, sorry that took so long," Brett interrupted before Eddy had time to even think of an answer to Belle's question. He sat down next to Eddy in the couch. He looked at the tray of cookies but didn't take one. "Appearently Benjamin doesn't like the new pyjamas Ray got him."

Brett looked over at Eddy first, finding him with his arms crossed and a crease between his eyebrows. Then he turned to Belle who gave him a polite smile.

"Such a shame, they looked cute on him," she said, pushing some of her lose bangs to the side. "Mind driving me over to mom's house, Brett? I think I might have hit a nerve with Eddy just now."

"Oh, uh, sure. I guess we'll see you again tomorrow anyway," Brett said, glancing over at Eddy again. He didn't seem any happier, but didn't protest them leaving either. He turned back to Belle with a small smile. "Let's go then, I guess."