Beautiful Life: The Carpino Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

molting as the feathers are falling out of his headdress. 
    “I see, Kemosabe,” I say while bowing my head and grinning at him.
    “My name isn’t Kemosabe.  That’s stupid.  My name is Running with Knives.  That’s a tough Indian name,” he returns with four year old little boy attitude.
    “You shouldn’t run with knives, it’s dangerous,” I add just because I’m an adult and feel it’s my duty.  However this doesn’t answer my question, so I forge ahead as nonchalantly as possible at the kid table, “Okay then, I have another question.  Why are Tony and I sitting at the kid table?”
    “Tony always sits at the kid table,” eight year old Madelyn informs me.
    “You have pretty hair!” Chloe yells, even though I’m sitting right next to her.
    “Thanks, you have pretty hair, too.”  I then turn to Tony asking, “You always sit at the kid table?”
    He nods, wipes his mouth and while picking up his wine he says, “Well, it’s more fun than the adult table, don’t you think?  And I am their favorite uncle,” he adds while shrugging his shoulders, rather arrogantly I must say. 
    “Okay… why am I here?” I ask the table as a whole, hoping to finally get an answer.
    “Uncle Tony paid us five dollars each to put you here,” six year old Noah says, finally giving up the information I’m looking for.
    “Can I try on your shoes?” Chloe yells from beside me as she pushes her chair back to look under the table at my feet.
    Not having the headspace to deal with Chloe at this moment, my shocked face turns back to Tony and look straight into his almost black eyes to hiss, “Why would you do that?”
    “Gem,” he starts quietly as he takes his arm out that’s pressed in between us and curls it around my shoulders.  He pulls me in tight against him at the same time I feel Chloe pulling off my shoes, “I would pay triple what I paid if it meant I got to sit here and see you relax while talking to a bunch of kids about nothing.  It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen you in years.  I got to see you smile, repeatedly.  You even laughed three times.  I counted.  That’s what I get to be thankful for today, even if I had to pay for it.”
    “I knew he would have paid more,” Emily mutters.  “Five dollars is lame.  You can’t buy anything with five dollars.”
    I cannot believe him. 
    Now what do I do?  I turn to face the table and feel Tony’s thumb brushing against my far bicep since he still has his arm around me while Chloe is under the table pulling off my shoes.  All of a sudden, I see my wine glass in front of my face and Tony says gently, “Happy Thanksgiving.”
    I turn to him, give him a glare and grab my glass.  I’m taking a big gulp as I hear my name yelled from the adult table.
    “Leigh?”  I wedge myself around in my little space as well as I can with my cast, not to mention being pressed up next to Tony, and see Gabby’s Aunt Lizzie turned in hers.  “I’ll be here tomorrow at two to take you to your doctor appointment.  Will that give us enough time?”
    Tomorrow is the day I get my cast off and I can’t wait.  It’s been a long six weeks.  I feel like this is the first step toward getting me back to me.  I even have some interviews set up next week at the hospital.  It’s been three years since I’ve worked.  I loved nursing and being able to concentrate fully on other people.  Hopefully it will allow me to get my mind off of everything. 
    But Gabby and Jude are flying to Colorado tomorrow to spend some time with his family.  Jude has a cabin in the mountains where they will celebrate Thanksgiving again with his side.  I’ll be here by myself for the first time since I moved in.  I’m not worried, but all the Carpinos are making a big deal about it.  Gabby’s Aunt Emma even wanted me to stay with them for the weekend but I insisted it’s time I stay by myself. 
    “I hate to burden you, Lizzie.  I really can go by myself,” I answer,