“No, she’s pretty quiet and keeps to herself except, of course, when she’s talking to your grandmother. Then it’s like they’re getting paid ...y the word.”“Hush, David,” Gramma said, laughing.“I’m proud of how you and Gramma have jumped in to do such a good thing,” Jake said. “I think it will be a great example for your parish.”“The thanks belong chiefly to your grandmother.”“You guys can go ahead and deposit the child support check from Finch. He won’t cause problems. The check more than covers. "She tried to not look upset but Gabrielle told her, "Mommy said youare different than other girls. Aunt Kylie is like you and she is agood auntie to us. Aunt Reyna is mommy's favorite friend, mommy saidshe is smarter than anyone. Mommy knows a lot, she's always rightabout people."Gabrielle hugging Denise caused her to feel better, with Gabriellesmiling at knowing what to do to be a good girl for her future aunt.The two quietly played together until Denise was sent for, with Bethand Jessie. He couldn’t keep going like this. He needed her too bad. And sneaking around to make out on his picnic blanket, fun as it was, wasn’t the kind of relationship he wanted. He wanted a relationship with her. The revelation kicked him in the gut, even as a smile stretched across his face. His father and sister had been nagging him mercilessly about ‘finding someone’. It may just be that they were right about that, too. He straightened, breathed deep, and resumed his run back towards the farm.. " Whenever? You served detention often?" Often enough." I don't think I ever served detention." You must've been a good boy, Gavin," she replied. "I on the other hand, was full of attitude. My mother told me if I had one more detention she'd ground me. I had accumulated enough demerits so I was headed for DT as we called it. I went to the office looking for ways to earn merits." A merit canceled a demerit I presume." That's correct. They kept a list of merit opportunities. I saw that.