Jade

Chapter 71 mature content

We finished our cigarettes and went back to the kitchen. Ripley helped Aris with cleanup. Instead of discussing business they participated in some light-hearted banter. I laughed and laughed. It was just what I needed to cheer up.

"Jade, there is just one thing we have to do before our evening starts," Aris told me. I could feel my face fall. "I kind of promised the kids a story," he continued, "I have to honor that promise. Will you join me?" I smiled, "of course I will." "If we go soon, we can make it for naptime," he told me. "Ripley do you need help getting into your snowsuit?" I asked. "I should be fine," he answered, "I will go do it now." He left the room.
Aris finished loading the dishwasher and started it. He sat down at the table. He took my hands in his and brought them to his lips. He kissed them softly. "I am sorry that I have been neglecting you," he told me, "it is just that, Theo knew everything. Ripley is having to learn. I had hoped that Theo would stay on and help Ripley, like a good sport, but you know how that went. Ripley is doing great, though. Things will start to go smoother now." "It's okay," I told him, "I want Ripley to do well. If I can help things along in any way, just let me know." "Oh, you have been great," he informed me, "Just keep being you."

Ripley entered the room all suited up, "I am ready when you are." We got up from the table and followed him to the back door. Aris and I changed to our snowsuits and we exited through the door. Aris hopped down and uncovered the snowmobiles. Ripley climbed down onto one with no trouble this time. He really is feeling better. Aris climbed up onto the other one and took my hand to help me down. I sat down behind him and wrapped my arms around him tight. He took off smoothly of course, but I still didn't let go, remembering our little wreck. We rode beside Ripley for about fifteen minutes then edged a little ahead. Ripley backed off so that we could dock first. Max and Lia were outside. Max offered me his hand. I took it and thanked him. He went and offered his hand to Ripley. "I am fine now Max, but thanks," Ripley accepted the help. Max hopped down to cover the snowmobiles. "If you hurry, you can still make it for nap time," Lia told us. I turned to Ripley. "Go," he told me, "I will catch you before you leave."

Aris and I hurried inside and down the stairs, to the children's room. They were just laying down and one of the older girls was getting ready to read a story. She stood up when we entered. The kids all looked our way and started cheering. She handed Aris the book. It was The Three Little Pigs. "They love this one every since you read it, Jade," she told me. "Yaris is going to read tonight," I told them, "next time I will read." The boys all cheered.

Aris let go of my hand and I found a seat at the back of the room with some other adults. I sat next to Antony. "Do you read to them too?" I asked him. "I do not read. I just tell them stories," he answered. "I bet they love that," I commented. "They do," he replied, "about as much as you liked it when you were little." "You used to tell me stories?" I smiled. "We all did. Mine was just your favorite," he smiled, "you called it Anty and the Dragon." "You are going to have to tell me that story sometime," I told him, "We will see how much I remember." "I would be happy to," he replied. Just then the room went quiet.

Aris turned out to be quite the story teller. He would change his voice for each of the characters. None of the kids fell asleep. They just laid quietly on their cots and listened. He had their full attention, along with mine. I especially liked his portrayal of the big bad wolf. At the end of the story everyone applauded. He made the kids promise that they would all take a nap, then we took our leave. Antony stayed behind to watch over them so that the older girls could take a nap too.

"You were wonderful," I told Aris when we got out in the hallway. "Thank you," he gave me a quick kiss, then we got out of there before anyone could stop us. "Rip is waiting for us at the back door," Aris told me as we went up the stairs. We went out the back door. Ripley was waiting along with a few others. Ripley lit me a cigarette, then one for himself and handed the pack to Aris.