PODs by Michelle Pickett

“Okay,” she said slowly, “I’ll paint a butterfly.” She dipped the tip of the paintbrush in orange paint and took her time, mimicking the butterflies Katie had painted. “And I want to write something.”
    “Whatever you want,” David told her.
    She squatted down, wobbling from one side to another as she tried to keep her balance, but gave up after a few seconds and plopped onto the floor. “I’ll probably never be able to get up again,” she laughed.
    She chewed on her fingernail, thinking of the perfect message to write to her child, taking her time, getting it just right…
    One day you’ll run and jump and swing in a field much like this one. I can’t wait to watch you and hear your giggles. I can’t imagine loving a person more than I do you .
    Love Always, Mommy
    By the time the day was over and all the finishing touches done, a lot of the walls had been covered in paintings and pastel drawings. George drew fruits and vegetables along the walls in the kitchen and I doodled in places it would be hard for people to see if I messed up. There was still a lot of white space to cover up, but we decided to save that for another day.
    Month Two
    After our day of redecorating, we spent more time doing things together. We played cards and board games. Aidan found the television in the back corner of the linen closet, and we decided we needed a movie night to celebrate.
    “What are we celebrating?” Aidan asked.
    “Who cares?” Katie said with a giggle. “Hurry up, Aidan.” She handed him the cables to hook up the DVD player.
    “I thought your best subject was computer science and networking, Aidan. Seems like you’d be able to hook up a DVD player,” Josh said with a belch.
    Aidan opened his mouth to say something. Instead he let out a frustrated sigh and muttered something under his breath that made Katie break out in a fit of giggles.
    Once the television and DVD player were hooked up and working, we gathered in the living area, jostling for the best spots in front of the television. Aidan had found a horror movie and everyone was excited to watch it—except me.
    I sat on the floor with a scratchy blanket pulled up to my eyes. Josh plopped down next to me and yanked part of the blanket over himself. He rested his hand on my knee. I scooted over as far as I could, pulling the blanket with me.
    “What? Untouchable?”
    “No, the blanket’s too small for two people,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.
    “Too good for me?” he said with a smirk.
    Yes. I don’t like selfish jerks . “No,” I said, trying to give him a sincere smile. It was hard.
    “If you don’t wanna share, go get another one.”
    “Get your own.” I jerked the blanket away, sitting on the edges so he couldn’t get under it.
    When the movie started I held my blanket with both hands, covering my face—one side slightly lower than the other so I could peek over the top. I knew it was coming. The stupid lady was going into the dark basement alone. It was quiet. She walked further into the creepy room. I held my breath. I waited, my heart beating faster. My hands hurt from clutching the blanket. The lady stood in the darkest corner…of course the killer was going to jump out at her. I braced myself. The blanket ready to cover my eyes…
    “AHH!” Aidan yelled, tickling my side. I screamed and jumped up. He thought it was hilarious—the others did, too.
    “Aidan, you’re a jerk,” I said, scowling.
    I’d had enough scary movies for the night. Going into the bedroom, I climbed on my bunk. The hinges squeaked as I pulled open the cupboard in the headboard and grabbed a book. I’d just opened the novel when a shadow fell over the page. Expecting Katie or Tiffany, I was surprised to see David.
    “Hey,” I said, trying to remember how to breathe like a normal person. But every time I took a breath I smelled him and he smelled beyond amazing and that was a problem—at least for me.
    “Not much of a horror fan?”