THE TRUTH OF US : Truth Known. (5)

Books With Pictures.

I pushed Lissa onto the couch, my book on too......Smiled at Nate, climbed up, sat on the couch.

".....Read?..."

He looked at me, smiled.....And held his hand out for the book.

I had tried to read the book to myself......But often found myself just looking at the pictures, some of the words were a little hard......And the pictures were so interesting, it was just easier!       Sometimes, I'd just make up a story to go with the pictures.......But, at this moment, I wanted the actual story of the book.

Lissa had promised she'd be quiet too.....And try to hung on to her legs, she'd been losing them a lot lately.     She was a good doll, a firm friend.....But, she was getting old.

Nate looked at the book......Pounted to the spot beside him, I moved a little closer......Nate opened the book and started to read. Nate was good at reading, he'd started school a month before me......And already he could read quite well, could count to a hundred, and was very capable of most tasks in his class.

The only thing that concerned the teachers......Nate didn't talk much. Because of most of the things he could do.....The teachers let it go, but they did watch (And take notes)

Every so often, Nate would stop....And point to the pictures.......I'd smiled, and tell him my story that went with the picture.    Nate would smile, and say...."really, are you sure?.."

"Yes, I am.....I wouldn't tell you, if I wasn't!.."        I'd frown, and look away.

Nate would look sad....."your right......do you wanna finish the book?.."            He'd give me a small encouraging smile.

"Do you believe me?          Because, I can play with Lissa..."

Nate nodded.....Nate looked over at Lissa.      She gave him a glassy-eye stare back.

".....Okay.    Keep going..."             I looked back at him.

Nate was pleased, and continued.

When he stopped at another picture......I'd tell my version, look at Nate......He would be looking at me, not saying a word, just nodding.

I felt bad then........"That's not what the true story is.......Is it?.."

Nate looked down....."no.."

I touched his arm....."Read the book, what it's really about.."

Nate continued till the end.

When finished, he handed the book back....."more stories?.."

"No......Lissa and I have things to do.."

I put the book on Lissa's lap, climbed off the couch, and pulled the book and doll from the couch.      Lissa's legs came off.

"Not again!         What am I going to do with you!.."

Lissa had nothing to say......She just lay on the floor and looked up at me.

Nate jumped off the couch, looked down......"She's broken..."

"Yes!       She is...."            I knelt down, and gently picked her up......And carried her as best I could to the spare room, placed her on a chair. I tried to put her legs back on, then I stood back from her.... She looked okay, that would have to do.      She was now "out-of-action".....On sick leave.

What was I gonna do now?      Who could I play with?              Lissa just stared back at me.

Nate had followed me to the room, he was standing in the hallway.......And was now peeping around the corner of the door frame at me.