GIFTED EYES (book two)

Chapter 03: A louder melody

Geneviève

Every step Geneviève makes holds a bounce of pride. She holds her umbrella—gifted to her by the Emerson family—delicately. She swings it shoulder to shoulder, spinning and swaying her hips like a theater performer who is about to break out into song. The two children clap as she does. Even Mr. Caron, a elder and a street neighbor, joins in.

"So, what do you guys think?" She beams.

"It's a nice gift, but," Vi' rolls her eyes as she prepares for Hamal's next words. "what about the food? Did you steal any coins or gold to exchange at least?"

Her shoulders fall along with her face.
"Of course I did." Geneviève opens her coat revealing wrapped meat and bread. Both so fresh, Geneviève almost did not want to take them out for they warmed her up nicely.
Hamal reaches to snatch it, but Geneviève pulls away.

"What do you say?"

Hamal let's out a loud groan.

"Thanks," he grumbles. "Sis."

She gives him a proud grin, hitting his shoulder a bit too hard before handing him the food.

"And what about me kid?" asks Mr.Caron. "Don't tell me you forgot about your friend?"

"I would never." Geneviève coos.
Mr. Caron gives her a gapped tooth smile before pinching her round apple cheek.

"What a well behaved child." Mr.Caron whispers to himself. He unwraps the food, their faces hit with steam from their fresh meals. She watches with pride as they both begin to feast.

She turns to Eliseo, his eyes far and his hand within his pockets. "Would you like some, too?" she says softly. "I don't mind sharing."

Eliseo shakes his head. "Don't worry about me, Gene'. I've got a pot of home made soup waiting for me."

"Soup? More like hogwash." Hamal says between chews. Eliseo scowls, clicking his teeth.

"My mom actually made it." He shoots.

Hamal stops his chewing. The two siblings share glances before looking at Eliseo.

"By herself?" Geneviève says, lifting a brow.

"Yeah, she's been doing a lot better ever since we switched doctors." he rubs the back his neck, his eyes between his feet. "With Moses picking up double shifts everything has been going great."

"And your father?" Hamal badgers. "What of him?"
The air grows stiff. Eliseo's gaze growing far again. He lets the silence become uncomfortable before speaking again.
"He's...good. He's actually stopped attending the Devotee churches and instead staying at home to help take care of my mom."

"But he doesn't want to get a job?"
Geneviève gives Hamal a venomous stare. Hamal always seems to say the wrong thing.

"It's probably best your father stays at home anyways." She gives Eliseo a soft grin, her hand in his. It grounds him.

"Yeah, having him in charge of the money wouldn't be so wise." Hamal says absentmindedly. Geneviève smacks the back his head.
"What the hell!" He shrieks. Geneviève ignores him.
Instead, she tightens her hand in Eliseo, pulling his focus to her instead of Hamal's unperturbed words.

"Ignore him. He's just angry cause he woke up to getting pissed on this morning by some drunk."

"What the fuck, 'Gene! I thought you wouldn't say anything!"

Eliseo and her fight back a laugh. He gives her a warm smile, one short of his eyes. Geneviève tilts her head at him as her gaze say a thousand words only he can read.