Her mother’s arm rested on Cecelia’s shoulder. “Something she learned before we moved here. Thanks for walking her over.”
Both adults were looking at one another. I wish Marcus would look at me like that. “Are we going home now, Mom?”
Her mother smiled at her. “Yes. I just need to grab my coat and purse from the office and we’ll be on our way.”
“Can I drop you off? It’s starting to rain again, and I have my car,” Marcus offered.
“Yes, Mom! Let’s do that! I’m tired. Let’s go in Marcus’s car.”
“Professor Dunbar, missy,” her mother corrected her. “Or did he give you permission to call him by his first name?”
Marcus put a hand on her mother’s arm. “It’s okay. Cecelia and I are friends. If she lets me call her by her first name, she can call me Marcus or Marc. Right, kid?” He grinned at her.
She beamed back at him. He is so nice. “Yes. And you can call me Cecelia.” She giggled and looked at her mother pointedly. “So there.”
“All right. I can see the two of you have ganged up on me. Where are you parked?”
“In the faculty lot behind the earth science lab. Shall we meet you there?”
Her mother nodded. “It won’t take me long.”
When her mother arrived at the car a short time later, Cecelia was buckled into the front passenger seat. She pointed to the backseat, next to what looked like camping gear.
“Excuse the mess in the back, but Princess Cecelia has ordered me to drive her chariot home, and all other passengers are required to sit in the back. I hope you don’t mind,” Marcus affected a spritely English accent as he bowed before closing the door.
Her mother smiled at Cecelia before addressing Marcus. “Home, James.”
“Mom, his name is Marcus the Great!Home, Marcus!” She giggled as they headed out of the parking lot toward their house.
Upon arrival, Cecelia raced up to her room.
“Marcus! Come here. I want to show you something.” She bounced back down the stairs.
“Cece, it’s not polite to order people around. And please use your inside voice.”
“Sorry, Mom.” She paused. “Marcus, I want to show you my new book, the one I got from the library. Sea Star. The one you told me about. See?” She held up the book.
“Have you read it yet?”
“Not all of it. I think I’m on page fifty.” She fumbled with the book to find where she had placed the bookmark.
“Well, when you are done with it, I’ll ask you some questions.”
“Okay.” She turned to follow the adults. “I may have it done by the weekend.” She intended to start reading right after dinner. Then maybe Marcus would pay more attention to her.
Amanda looked over at Marcus after Cecelia ran back up to her room. “Thanks for the ride, and for humoring her.”
“It was my pleasure. She’s a smart kid, and very well-mannered. You’re doing a great job with her, you should be proud.”
Warmth flooded through her. “Thanks for the compliment. Some days are easier than others. Would you like to stay for dinner as payment for the ride home?” Say yes, Marcus. Let me cook for you.
“You don’t have to pay me. I was happy to do it.”
“Okay, then, how about staying for dinner because I invited you.”
“On those terms, I accept.”
Cecelia talked between bites of dinner. Amanda was quiet, as Marcus bantered with her daughter, answering her seriously and then asking her questions that made her think before replying, or laugh when he told her a joke. They are getting along so well. I’m glad of that.
Marcus helped her clear the table.
“Your homework, Cece? Is it done?”
“Almost.”
“Finish it up. It’s almost time for bed.”
“But I want to read Sea Star, so Marcus can ask me questions about it.”
“After you finish your homework. Go and get your books and show me what you have to do.”
“Okay.” Cecelia brought her math and social science books into the kitchen and sat down, making a face. “I hate this stuff.”
Marcus looked over her shoulder at her assignments. “Hey, don’t say that. How are you going to be a famous doctor if you don’t know how to do math?”
“I’m not going to be a doctor.” Cecelia grinned at him.
“Then how are you going to be a famous lawyer if you don’t know all about social studies?” He ruffled her blond curls.
“I’m not going to be a lawyer.”
“Well, what are you going to be?” He leaned down next to her chair.
“I think I’ll be a reporter, like you.”