The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon Read Online Free PDF Page B

off like it’s nothing. For which I’m finding weirdly strange. Not to mention the fact that he referred to me as an animal caught in a snare.
    If they only knew.
    “Craig, you be nice. Try not to offend our tenant before the first month.” Mellissa says looking admonishingly at her husband, as she takes a seat beside me placing her near him as well. “Or you’ll be the one to fly away on an afternoon breeze mister.”
    “Oh now Lissa, you know I never offend. It’s against my nature. I simply pick. It’s a gift.” He retorts while leaning up to start digging into the platter of meat I’m now suspecting just might be chicken by its light color.
    Ashley snort out a laugh, drawing my eyes to her.
    “I wouldn’t call prying a gift dad.” She says with a mock glare lifting her plate for him to dish her some meat.
    “That’s because you’re so sensitive, pumpkin. Like your mom.”
    Watching the two of them, I get a sense of familiarity. It’s nothing I’ve ever felt before. Just being in this room with these people that are more close to one another, than I am to my own family, it makes my eyes burn. The urge to cry comes from nowhere, and I have to quickly squash it.
    Who tears up at the sight of a dad picking on his daughter?
    A girl that never had that. That’s who.
    Mellissa leans up over the table and begins dishing out various foods, like potatoes and a multitude of vegetables and bread. I simply sit quietly and try to draw as little attention to myself as possible. This would be a whole lot easier if I weren’t dinning with the Walton’s, they are clearly talkers. And new people strike their interest.
    Meaning me.
    “Let’s see that plate kiddo, I’ll get you to fatten up with this hearty beast my wife cooked up.”
    Still gazing around the table at all of them, I completely miss the fact that Craig is talking to me. For which I practically jump in my seat when they all turn to me waiting. Blushing even darker (as the blush I walked in here with hasn’t left) I quickly lift my plate to him. I watch with hungry eyes as he places quite the large amount of meat on it.
    Is it just me, or am I imagining the resemblance to Hazel and Gretel again, with all the fattening up business? Looks like I’ve left the lion’s den, only to dinning with lion’s still. More domesticated lion’s obviously. But still, very strange.
    With a full plate in hand, I gently place it back on the table. I’d love nothing more to dig in because it looks just that yummy, but I’m struck with the similarities between Craig and his son Chance. Both have the same mop of wavy dark hair, granted Craig’s does have a little gray mixed in. They are both surprisingly tall, and you can’t miss it even when the man sits down again. His eyes aren’t the same blue though. His or more like Ashley’s, a chocolate brown. It’s amazing that this family all hold a resemblance to one another, and it makes me wonder about my own.
    It’s not something I ever really thought about, or wanted to really.
    Until now.
    Feeling odd, I pick up my fork and prepare to dig into this divine smelling food but Mellissa’s voice stops me cold.
    “Who wants to say grace tonight? Ashley?”
    The girl looks up from her plate with a frown and says, “Mom really, we’re going to do this again? Chance isn’t even here, so what is the point?”
    “It’s gracious that’s why.” Craig says before Mellissa can, and then glances at me with a wink “And it sets a good example for you young heathens.”
    “Heathens? You’re such an old fogie dad.” Ashley retorts back with a sly grin plastered across her face.
    Mellissa is shaking her head at them like she is used to this display, but I’m still caught up with the whole grace thing. I’ve never been one to follow religion. Hello, demon here. I can only wonder what the ramifications this will have on me. I mean, as far as I know religion and demons don’t mix. So will grace, that is a prayer, hurt me?