A Better Man by Candis Terry

not planning on going anywh ere.”
    â€œNever say never. Some things in life you learn quick. Some things you learn slow. Doesn’t matter how long it takes, just that you’re open to interpretation. As this great loss just taught us all, make sure you always grab hold of life with both hands and hang on ti ght.”
    â€œI’ll try.”
    â€œI know you will.” She patted his cheek. “Now how about some of that spaghetti before it gets all gummy? The rest of the boys went into town for dinner. Seems they weren’t too keen on the idea of chicken going into the spaghetti. Parker especially had a problem. Told me I was breaking the ru les.”
    â€œEveryone knows I don’t follow the rules so chicken spaghetti sounds great to me. If you can spare a bowl I’m game.” Jordan had never pictured his aunt as a domestic goddess. Hell, he didn’t even know the woman could cook. All she’d ever made him when he’d been growing up were peanut butter, jelly, and potato chip sandwi ches.
    â€œYou’re such a sweet boy.”
    â€œI’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t say that in front of my broth ers.”
    â€œWouldn’t dream of it.” His aunt laughed. “Although seeing you boys all wrestling might be more fun than watching the distance that’s grown between you.”
    The truth hit him like a wicked cross-­check. The reminder that he had a lot of work to do to make things up to his family stung. But he acknowledged it and intended to keep the promise he’d made as he followed his aunt toward the kitchen. The heartbreak that had stolen his breath moments ago moved aside for an onslaught of nerves. Spaghetti that clucked was nothing compared to the baby dragon that ro ared.
    The murmurings and giggles stopped as soon as he entered the room, and Nicki’s head snapped up. The smile on her face dissolved into a s cowl.
    G reat.
    Looked like he was in for another fun eve ning.
    Yi ppee.
    â€œWhat are you girls up to?” He headed toward the long farm table where they sat, heads together, concentrating on the task at hand. Well, except for the why-­do-­you-­care? glare Nicki shot his way.
    â€œHi, Uncle Jordy.” Riley’s bright blue eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Nicki’s helping me with my dior ama.”
    At least Riley knew his name. That was a start. He smiled as he leaned over their heads to get a better look.
    The shoebox had been covered in blue paper. On the front of the box a sign read “Ocean Habitat.” Inside, the girls had carefully positioned seashells and colored cutouts of fish and c oral.
    â€œThat’s pretty clever to hang the fish from the top with string,” he said. “It looks like they’re swimm ing.”
    â€œThat was Nicki’s idea,” Riley said, scrunching up her little button nose. “She’s a gen ius.”
    Nicki remained silent as she glued a tiger shark onto the st ring.
    â€œI think she’s pretty smart too.” For that comment he received a scoff that came out sounding more like a snort. “In fact,” he said, “I think she’s brilliant. Did you ever hear her story about Taffy Tick les?”
    Nicki’s head came up so fast he heard her neck crack. Her eyes narrowed as she shot another death glare in his direc tion.
    Oh good. At least now he had her atten tion.
    â€œHow do you know about that?” she a sked.
    â€œI read it.”
    Somehow she spoke through a clenched jaw. “Ms. Diamond isn’t supposed to share students’ work with anyone but a par ent.”
    Losing your parents when you were a thirty-­three-­year-­old adult was hard enough. Losing your parents when you were only seventeen and vulnerable to the world had to be ten times worse. Jordan settled his hand over Nicki’s shoulder. “We don’t have that luxury anymore, sis.”
    â€œDon’t call me