Page 79 of Cosplay & Consequences

I leaned back in the chair, realizing that this was like the conversations I had with Nana back in the day. She would have tea, and I would have juice and a snack as I pelted her with questions. My thoughts drifted, and I wondered if Faye would ever be in the same situation.

“Well, she and my grandfather were just married when he got drafted into World War II. It was only her and some cousins that lived close by. In many cases, she was on her own. She worked as a dental hygienist during the day, and at night she needed an outlet so her nerves wouldn’t get to her. She decided to create a world that she could control. It gave her a sense of relief that she could ensure that somehow the good people in her world could win.”

Faye had a big grin on her face as she scribbled in her journal. “This is amazing.”

“You’re taking notes?” I asked in disbelief. “For what?”

Faye blinked in embarrassment. “Um. So, I can remember them later. I want to ask as many questions about her as I can, because I don’t know when I’ll have this chance again.”

I thought back to the story Danny had told me in the garage. He had talked about Faye teething, and how it drew him closer to her. In this moment with Faye, I knew exactly how he had felt.

I reached out and touched her hand. “Faye, I promise you that whatever happens between me and your uncle, you can ask me anything you want about my grandmother and the Tyrant books. It feels good to share these stories with someone outside of my family.”

Faye paused at the touch, and I wondered if I had pushed my luck with her. Instead, she smiled at me. “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” I replied.

“Does that mean we can get back to Fiona and the Wastelands?”

I opened my mouth to agree when Paige and Danny walked in, both of them carrying bags of groceries.

Paige’s eyes zeroed in on the book on the table. “Faye? What did we discuss?” she asked.

“I just had a few questions,” Faye protested.

Paige rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh. Sure. How many is a few?”

Faye’s lips formed a thin line.

“That’s what I thought,” Paige grumbled, and Danny tried not to laugh. “You’re not allowed to scare her off with your book-obsessive tendencies. Okay? Not everyone is a freaky book geek who has to go to the library three times a week.”

“It’s fine!” I laughed. “I’m loving it.”

Paige let out a little groan as she unloaded the grocery bags. “Gross. Why did you have to date a nerd?” she complained to Danny. “You know what’s going to happen right? Faye is going to get even geekier. Jesus. I’ll be going to the library four times a week now.”

“I’m right here, mother,” Faye grumbled.

“Am I wrong?” Paige shot back.

“No, but it’s still rude!”

Danny smiled at me as the two of them continued to bicker. “Are you okay? I’d like to get cleaned up.”

“Take your time,” I said, waving him off. I turned my attention back to the bickering mother and daughter. “Paige, I promise you I’ll keep the nerd level down to a minimum.”

“Right. Fine. She’s all yours, egghead.” Paige said as she pulled out a large chocolate cake from one of the bags. Danny’s eyes almost popped out of his head.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Paige warned him. “This is your punishment for eating a Snickers bar in your dressing room this morning.”

“I did no such thing,” Danny protested.

“You left the wrapper in the wastebasket, dummy. So, you have a choice: you can either watch the three of us eat cake in front of you after dinner or I tell Jorge tomorrow, and he punishes you relentlessly.”

Danny turned to me, a pleading expression on his face.

“Don’t look at me,” I said, holding up my hands. “I’m on Team Jorge.”

Paige laughed, giving me a high-five. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”