The rest of the day seemed to go on forever. Desultorily, Gene read many books from her aunt's library. It was interesting but it wasn't home. But then again it was home so she was a bit nervous about school a little too much.
What if the other kids didn't like her?
How was she supposed to interact with others, Diana was friendly but busy?
Gene didn't want to interrupt what she was doing, you know so she just watches. Was it wrong?
And besides, what if she didn't make any friends?
For supper, Mom cooked her favorite meal, spaghetti with dice baby corn, and Gene, Mom and Dad ate together in the breakfast nook off the kitchen. Her aunts had some visitors so they using the main dining room. It has been a while since they had the opportunity to eat like this just three of them.
For some reason, tonight her spaghetti noodles were hard to swallow, until Mom frowned and asked, "Are you feeling all right, baby?"
She wasn't sure. All her feelings were tangled up, and she didn't know how to untangle them, or how to answer her. So, she shrugged and said, "Sure."
She looked at her for a long, thoughtful moment. "I've never seen you without an appetite."
After thinking about it for a moment, she shrugged again. "Me neither."
Both Mom and Dad laughed, and then it was Dad's turn. Dad's keen, gold gaze seemed to see everything, and Gene squirmed in her seat. This time she didn't do anything bad. But all Dad said was, "Maybe you'll be hungry later, Right Butter."
The pet name butter came from when she was younger. She ate everything with butter even fish finger just like her Dad. It was sort of their thing.
"Sure, maybe," she mumbled, fiddling with her napkin.
"Why don't you go upstairs and take your bath and go to bed?" Mom suggested.
Gene looked outside. It was still plenty light outside, but mom and dad, well they had to go home soon. Dad was in London England opening a small pub. Mom was on the other side of the country in the big apple. Both were struggling after they separated.
"Do I have to?" she asked. "It's so early, and I'm not tired."
"Yes, you have to." She smiled at her.
She heaved an aggrieved sigh. "Okay, fine."
As she slid out of her seat and stood, Dad swept a large arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. Gene leaned against him. Dad was so big and strong and well smart that when Gene leaned on him, it was hard to be afraid.
The problem was, she couldn't lean on Dad forever. He had to go to school by herself.