VIKTORIA FLOYD ANSWERED THE DOOR with an award-winning smile.
"Hello! Please, come in. Come in,"
A quick, "Thank you, hi," was uttered from a sweater-clad lady with short-twists in her hair and a clipboard hugged tight to her chest, followed by another "Thank you, good evening," by the same male police officer from yesterday, with the dark hair and the small eyes. Nico didn't remember his name.
The two came inside, and Nico forced himself to put on a smile as best he could.
"Welcome to our home," trailed Viktoria, "So sorry it has to be under such... odd circumstances," she laughed.
"Aw, don't worry. It's all just routine," the cop assured her, and Nico's mouth scrunched as she laughed again.
"Yes, that is what my son was telling me. I believe he spoke yesterday, with you all?" she glanced back at Nico, and he nodded, stepping forward.
"Hi. Hello. Yes, uh— Nico Floyd," he said, extending a hand to both the social worker and then the cop, "Nice to meet you— again,"
"Pleasure," nodded the officer, "Ah, strong handshake! Firm."
"Thank you," Nico said again, though something about the man's demeanor had him resisting the urge to wipe his hand on his shirt, "And uh, thank you again for, bring my sister home safe."
"Oh yes. Thank you so, so much for looking out for my baby," gushed Viktoria, hand over her heart, "Truly, I cannot say it enough. Kathleena?" she glanced over her shoulder at the girl, "You thanked the nice officer for bringing you home, yes?"
Leena glanced from her mother to the police officer again and nodded, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Kathleen."
"It's Kathleen-uh," she corrected him sharply, earning a surprised look from Viktoria, "or just, Leena. For short."
"Gotcha," he chuckled.
"My name's Audrielle!" Ellie announced as she hung onto the stairs, "That's A...U...D...R...," she trailed off, her rocking slowed to a stop and she looked unsurely to Nico.
"I...," he began.
"I...,"
"E...,"
"E..."
"L...,"
"L...,"
"—L, E," Viktoria finished, speaking over Nico as she smiled at her youngest and clapped a bit, "Great job, baby. Very good." Ellie beamed, she pushed up on the railing and her toes lifted off the ground. Their mother turned to address their guests again, "We've been working on her spelling," she told them proudly.
"Yeah!" Ellie said as she bounced, "But, um, usually, I just go by Ellie, and that's E-L-L-I-E!"
"Ooh, nice. That's a very pretty name," the social worker smiled at her. "Oh— I'm Rasheeda," the woman extended a hand to Viktoria.
"Rasheeda, nice to meet you. You can just call me Vicky. And...," she raised her eyebrows at the police officer.
"Ah," he was quick to extend a hand, "I'm Officer Stilts, but— just Joseph is fine. No need for the formalities,"
"Right," she chuckled, "Nice to meet you, Joseph. And again— thank you."
He shook his head, "Pleasure's all mine,"
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Before You Go | A Prequel
General FictionNineteen-year old Nico Floyd has the world on his shoulders. After his freshman year of college is brought to a devastating halt by the death of his father, Nico is left picking up the pieces of what remains in his childhood home of Heavensport Isla...
