I'll Protect You

Kristo

“Sorry, but we have to get you back.” Amaya squeezed Jolene’s hand and then got to her feet. “Come on, let’s get you back to the van.”

“Fine, but you’re totally bringing me back here for the food festival,” she replied as we started on the way back to the van. We loaded her chair into the van and started on the way home, except this time, Amaya drove, and I sat in the back and chatted to Jolene. And damn, if she wasn’t about the most charming teenager I’d ever met. Sure, she was still young and had plenty of time to grow into her obnoxiousness, but she was smart and sharp and wasn’t afraid to jibe me, just like her sister.

When we arrived back at the home, we helped her out of the van and took her back up to her room. I gave them some privacy to say goodbye but not before Jolene had insisted we come back again in a week’s time to go for another outing.

“You have great taste in food.” She grinned at me. “More adventurous than her, at least.”

“I’ll bear that in mind,” I replied,