Page 138 of Jackass
“I believe you are overestimating what you will need, but as long as I am not out of pocket, you can do as you wish,” he said, waving his hand in circles.
“Ryder.” I waited for him to look at me. “You are underestimating what this place will be like on the day. You cannot have the girls here. I won’t be bringing Charlie. I am sure Jack will stop in during the event with her, but she won’t be staying.”
“Avery can—”
“No, Ryder, Avery cannot bring the girls in that day. Neither can your parents or Blade and Beck,” I interrupted.
“I am quite capable of taking care of the girls,” Avery snipped, angrily. “How dare you sug—” She stopped, her eyes on Rayne. “Oh, my God. Are you her?”
I looked at Ryder, raising an eyebrow silently saying,see what I mean?
Rayne didn’t miss a beat. She walked forward, holding out her hand.
“Hello.”
Avery just stood there, frozen. Her eyes were wide as saucers.The girls each pulled on her hands, but nothing got her attention. Which meant Rayne just stood there with her hand out. Eventually, she dropped it by her side, realizing Avery was too starstruck.
“AVERY!” Ryder yelled.
Finally, she snapped out of her trance.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry. I just love your books,” Avery gushed.
At the sound of his yell, Charlie came running.
“Chrissy, Tabby, I’s here!” She rushed over to the girls, and she and Chrissy embraced. Tabby stood quietly, holding Avery’s hand and staring at Rayne.
“Hello, beautiful,” Rayne said, crouching down to get to Tabby’s level.
Tabby released Avery’s hand and walked over to Rayne, putting her arms around her neck. Rayne stood with Tabby in her arms, and the little girl laid her head on Rayne’s shoulder.
She stood there holding her like she’d known Tabby her whole life.
I smiled to myself.
Wait until Beck heard about this.
“I’m sorry. She doesn’t usually do that,” Ryder said, moving to take Tabby from Rayne.
The little girl hugged her tighter when she felt her father’s hands and wrapped her legs around Rayne’s waist as best she could. It was at that moment, Beck walked in.
“Hello, what’s going on?” Beck whispered. “Who is that holding Tabbycat?”
“Rayne Perry,” I said smugly.
Beck just smiled and turned in Ryder’s direction.
“Well, well, well. Isn’t this interesting?” Beck said with a grin.
“Don’t you start,” Ryder said pointedly. “Come on, Tabby, Charlie is here to read with you and Chrissy. Let Miss Perry go so she can finish her work.”
He tried to pry his daughter off Rayne, but Tabby just held on tighter.
“I don’t mind, really. I love kids. If it’s ok with you, I could sitand read with her for a bit,” Rayne offered. “And please, call me Rayne.”
Ryder hesitated. I had never seen Tabby act like this with a stranger.
“I am sure Tabby would love if you sat with her and read,” Beck piped up. “Charlie, Chrissy, why don’t you each grab a book, and grab Tabby’s favorite too, and you can all sit on the couch with Rayne?”