|1. A HOME FOR US|

|JUNE|

Putting the paint down on the newspaper, I took off the gloves. "Dude, how far are we?" my friend Wendy, asked.

"Yeah, my arms are tired," Kennedy complained.

"You didn't do shit, you shouldn't be talking," Wendy pointed out.

"Shut up you two. We're almost done, just one more room to go," I said and walked into the master bedroom where there were newspapers everywhere. "Let's get to work, the faster we finish, the sooner I can move in."

"Congrats on finishing college and getting hired right away." Andy patted my shoulder. "How'd you do it, man? It took me about a year to find a decent, high paying job."

I shrugged and shoved him away. "Get working, I want this apartment done soon." Andy just rolled his eyes and picked up a bucket of light blue paint.

By the afternoon we were done repainting all the rooms. Odette's room was pink with white. We all cleaned up and closed the almost empty paint boxes and brought them to Andy's old truck. He loved that thing and wouldn't get rid of her. "Mate, you need to get rid of it soon," Kennedy spoke. Andy just rolled his eyes while Wendy and I laughed.

We drove to my old apartment first to check on a few things. Odette was staying with Wendy's mother since she was nice enough to offer us a helping hand. I had everything packed except Odette's toys and cups. She won't eat from another person's plate or cups and it has to be her toy or she flips out. I don't think Joel or anyone in our family was that picky about anything. I guess it comes from her other dad's side. "So what did you get hired as?" Wendy asked I haven't told them anything yet since I was really busy.

"Well, I was going for the position of the Secretary for the CEO of the Atlas Inc. but they said I would be better on the Computer and the IT section needed more people," I answered. Wendy was about to ask something. "And no, the CEO isn't the one who interviewed me, since he's 'too busy'."

"That's too bad, he's hot as hell, and can make anyone melt." Wendy fanned her face and sighed. I just rolled my eyes and went to the fridge to get something to eat. Which had nothing?

"I guess we're going out to eat," I mumbled and grabbed my wallet.

"Panera or Olive Garden?" Kennedy asked.

"Olive Garden," we all said.

"I call dibs on driving!" Andy yelled as he raced down the stairs. I locked the door after everyone was out. We piled up in the car and took off. I was starving since we woke up early, more like I woke them up and had to drag their asses out of their houses to help me. I am glad that I'm all done and can move into a new house soon.

The old house has memories of my deceased sister,although they were all happy times, right now, they just seem sad. Odette calls me papa, which I don't mind at all. I wanted her to know who her mama was and how much she loved her. She doesn't understand but one day she will.

I hope that day doesn't come soon where I have to explain to her how her mama died or where her real father is.

****************************************************

It's been about three days since we last went to our new apartment. It was done, the paint dried and the smell was gone. I asked my friends and hired some men to move the furniture. Wendy decided to play the designer and set the furniture where it'd be "perfect".I didn't care as long as I found the things I needed and knew where they were.

I packed the last bag with Oddette's pink and purple shirts and pants. "Papa! Papa!" She came running in the room.

"What's wrong babe?" I asked as I turned around.

"Wook what I found." She held up a picture frame. It was small and there were two identical twins, one boy, and one girl, smiling in it. "Who?"

"Hmm? Oh," I picked her up in one hand, "over there is mama and that's me."

"Happy?" She asked I laughed.

"Of course we were happy. It was our thirteenth birthday." I answered and looked at the picture again. The more I looked at it the more helpless I felt. I couldn't do anything to save her. She should be the one here taking care of her, naming her and seeing her walk for the first time.

"Papa no sad!" Odette grabbed my face with her small chubby hands. She looked at me with her puppy dog eyes as if begging me to let her do something she shouldn't. "Sad bad."

I laughed a bit and put one hand over hers. "I am okay baby. Thank you for cheering me up." I kissed her small palm and she giggled. I quickly put the picture in the bag and zipped it up. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes!" She yelled. We walked to the door and I helped her out on her pink little shoes. I opened the door but Odette didn't go through like she usually would. She stood there and waved at no one. "Bye-bye!"

I stared at her. I mean she is a kid and they should have imaginary friends but Odette doesn't, so why would she be waving bye? "Baby, who are you waving goodbye to?" I asked. I didn't want to stay awake thinking that I lived in a haunted house.

"Wou luook alwke . She nice." She replied. (You look alike.)

"What?...." I asked but she didn't say anything and walked out. I looked back to see nothing. Shaking my head I followed Odette to the car. It was probably nothing, just something imaginary. "Are you ready for your new home?" I asked excitedly. She nodded and then frowned.

"A bit sad. Mwiss home," she replied.

"I'll miss this home too. This is where you first came when you were born. And this is where your mama and I lived when we were younger. I don't think you'll understand what I am saying." I laughed a bit when she looked at me confused. "That's okay, it's time to start a new life, I hope this will be a happier one."

"Yay!" She yelled as I buckled her seatbelts and put the bag in the seat next to her. I smiled and closed the car door. Walked over to the driver's side and got in. This is going to be better, hopefully.

****************************************************

When we arrived at the house, Odette seemed more excited. I grabbed the bag and then unbuckled her. I picked her up and then took the bag. Closing and locking the door we walked towards the entrance.

I walked up to our apartment. "My rwoom pwink?" She asked.

I smiled as I put the bag down and reached for the key. I unlocked the door and walked inside, of course taking her bag with me. "Of course I did. You love pink so much that you would've cried if I didn't." I grinned at her.

"Twanks." She kisses my cheek and singles for me to let her down. When I did she ran over to where her room was. I guess she has good memory skills. "Hewlp!"

"Coming babe," I called and took off my shoes and walked over to her room. I saw her trying to get on her new bed. I picked her up and placed her on the bed. "You like it?" She nodded.

"Aunwt Wenny is goowd." She smiled and crawled under the covers. "Wawm."

"Hmm, it's lunchtime. After you eat, you can have your nap." I picked her up and she giggled. We walked to the kitchen. "We are having a party, Andy, Kenny, and Wendy are coming. So you need to save your energy for that. Can you be a good girl for papa?"

"Ywes!" She yelled.

I made her some Mac and cheese and handed it to her. "Wait for me, babe," I warned her. She would always eat her food before I can even sit down. Trying to teach a child to eat with you is hard. I quickly grabbed my salad that was in the fridge and sat down next to her. "Okay, now dig in, be careful, it's hot." I blew on her Mac and cheese.

"Twanks," she smiled and continued doing it herself. Even though, mostly spit came out instead of air.

Once we finished, I put the dishes in the sink and bathed Odette. Once she was all washed up and ready for her nap, I quickly put her to bed. Odette has this habit, when she is sleepy and you put her to bed, she'll sleep. But when you don't she'll make a fuss and won't get the sleep she needs. I think I used to be that way.

I kissed her forehead and her soft chubby cheeks. "I love you," I whispered. Her eyes slowly began to close.

"Wove you," she mumbled and fell asleep. I waited for about a minute or two to see if she will wake up, when she didn't, I moved away slowly.

I quietly walked out closing the door a bit, since she can't reach the handle yet. I washed the dishes and began working on what to eat for dinner. Wendy is bringing the desserts. My job is the main dishes. Which I don't mind,since I love cooking. I searched for a new recipe that seemed good.

I quickly grabbed some ingredients that I needed and whipped up the dish. It seemed okay, I just hope it tastes just as good. I made four main dishes and the rest the others can handle. I put the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on.

Walking over to the living room I sat down and looked at the bright yellow folder. It had few documents that I needed to fill out for the daycare that Odette will be going to when I am at work. I opened it and began filling it out. Why leave it when you can get it done. Some of the spaces I left blank since I needed to check but it was mostly done.

When I looked at the time it was about two thirty. I was tired as hell so I decided to take a nap. This might be the only nap I'll get before I start work the upcoming Monday. I took the file with to my bedroom and put it on the nightstand next to my bed. I changed out of my clothes and got in the bed. It was nice to finally crawl into bed and close my eyes for a while. The next thing I knew I was sleeping.

Something was on my chest. It was a bit heavy. I slowly opened my eyes to see a little girl sitting on top of me. I smiled and she smiled back. "Wake?" She asked as I nodded rubbing my eyes. I was still tired but I am glad I was able to get some sleep. I looked at the time to see it was four-thirty.

"How long have you been up?" I asked even though I didn't expect her to answer since she doesn't know how to count in order yet.

"Swix!" She yelled thinking she was right. I nodded and got up, putting her on my lap.

"Let me freshen up. Go play baby." I put her down on the floor and she ran to her room to play with her toys. I think she loves them more than me.

Getting up quickly, I splashed my face with cold water to wake me up. When I was done with my business, I went to heat the food up and set the table. The doorbell rang, and Odette came out running. I shook my head and went to open the door. I smiled when Wendy and Andy came in. Kennedy was the last one, like always. "There's my pumpkin!" Wendy yelled and picked up Odette. "How have you been?" She asked and walked over to the couch.

"You guys are setting the table. Wendy and I cooked." I spoke and walked over to Wendy and Odette. Andy and Kennedy groaned but did as they were told.

That night we ate and just had fun. It was great not thinking about my sister and her death for once.