Chapter 79

“Stop,” I said, trying to squelch a laugh and tend to my project. “No bear has a pink nose!”

I’d blackened Patrick’s with ash, the same ash with which I’d drawn on my whiskers.

“Haven’t we established you’re the puppet master?” he asked. “Pulling the strings that rule my every move.”

“I’m starting to wonder.”

He let me move his head to one side, so I could kiss behind his ear.

Suddenly, Patrick was moving like a robot, a robot bear. “Bloop. Bloop. Beep. You now wish me to kiss you back,” he said, in a voice part C-3PO, part R2-D2. “Coming for your lips. I am under your command.”

After we kissed, he looked at me and snickered.

“Your nose is black and pink now. It looks like Good & Plenty candy.”

“What is that, Patrick?” Jefferson asked.

“I don’t think it’s been made yet.”

Strange looks from Jefferson and Calvin were becoming commonplace.