“See?” Ophelia said, playfully pushing at Cy’s shoulder. “That wasn’t so bad.”
“Easy for you to say!” Cy replied. “You weren’t the one being looked at all judgmental-like.”
“Details, details. Point is, you’ll be able to handle doing this by yourself someday, if you so choose.”
Cy smiled a little and replied, “Yeah, I would. My parents would kill me, though.”
“So, do it when they’re not around. What they don’t know won’t hurt you, you know?”
Cy laughed in response, but froze in fear when Ophelia and Charise’s grandmother entered the living room.
“Ophelia, your mom asked me to watch Nathaniel, and--” she began. She paused when she spotted Cy.
Oh, God, Cy thought. She’s going to start the rant of the century.
“Oh, you must be Cyrus. Charise and Ophelia both mentioned you a lot; they said you were a really cute redhead. I’m Charlotte Clarisse, but you can call me Cici, like everyone else does.”
Cy stared in astonishment at the casual response from the woman-- as if she were used to dealing with crossdressing adolescents on a daily basis-- and slowly smiled. “It’s nice to meet you,” Cy finally said. “And please, call me Cy.”
“Well, Cy and Ophelia, like I was saying just now, I’m watching Nathaniel, and I was about to make some cookies. Would you like me to let you know when they’re ready?” Cici asked.
“Sure,” Ophelia responded, grinning.
“Okay, then,” Cici said cheerily. “You two have fun hanging out.”
“We will,” Ophelia replied. “C’mon, Cy,” she added, nodding toward the stairs.
“I’ll meet you up there. Give me a minute.”
“Sure,” Ophelia nodded, dashing up the stairs.
Cy followed Cici into the kitchen. “Hey,” Cy said softly.
“Yes, dear?” the old woman replied.
“Um… thanks.”
“For what?”
Cy shrugged and said slowly, “Treating me like a normal person, I guess. I thought you were going to freak out, like my... like most people would.”
Cici patted Cy’s shoulder and replied, “Sweetie, I’ve been on this earth long enough to know that you can’t judge people by how they look. I don’t care what you look like or whether you think of yourself as male, female, or alien. What matters to me is the kind of person you are. You seem like a good kid, Cy. Treat Ophelia with the kindness and respect she deserves, and you and I will get along fine.”
“Thanks, Cici,” Cy said, giving her hand a quick squeeze before heading up the stairs.
“What was that about?” Ophelia asked, as soon as she saw the redhead at the top of the stairs.
“Nothing. Just thanking her for being kinder to me than my own family has been.”
“Maybe you should get adopted into the family,” Ophelia teased. “I’ve always wanted a brother or sister, and with you, I’d kind of have both.”
“Oh, real funny,” Cy replied, poking her arm.
“Seriously, though, it’s sad that your family is so closed-minded, while a stranger welcomes you with open arms,” Ophelia sighed. “Just remember, if anything ever happens, where you need a place to stay, just come here or go to Charise’s house, and we should be able to find a place for you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. We’re family… kind of. Gramma Cici always says that family isn’t about whose blood you have in you, or who was born to who. Family’s the people who you care about and who care about you, people who take care of each other in times of need and want what’s best for each other. And, by those guidelines, you and I are family.”
“Yeah,” Cy replied, smiling. “I like that idea.” By those standards, Lia, you’re more “family” than my blood relatives are, Cy mentally added.Click Next: Chapter 25, Part 6 to continue...
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