The Nubian Barnstormer, Volume 2: Crossroads ~ Book Excerpt

She walks over to Aton. “The doctor thinks it was only one episode, but he wants her to stay in bed for a week.”

The alarm on his face makes her a little less angry. “I didn’t mean to upset her.”

“Yes, you did,” she replies. “And you succeeded! You’re staying here until the doctor determines she’s well…”

“But…”

“You’re not stepping foot in that house!”

Anger replaces his sheepishness. “Who are you to tell me what to do?! She’s my mother too!” he shouts.

“You’re not behaving like it!”

Aton pokes Ava’s shoulder with his finger. “Why don’t you mind your own business?!”

Andy runs down the stairs in his footy pajamas. He pounds Aton’s legs. “Don’t you hit my mommy!” he screams.

A shocked Aton steps back, while Ava lifts the boy into her arms. Carl runs into the foyer at the same time. “Andy! Andy, calm down. Uncle Aton wasn’t hitting me,” she says.

“He was too!” Andy continues to try to smack Aton. “Don’t you hit my mommy!”

Carl takes him from Ava. “Andy? Andy,” he says. His tone draws the boy’s attention.

“But Daddy…Uncle Aton was yelling at Mommy and hitting,” he says with the earnestness of an outraged five year-old.

“Sweetheart, Uncle Aton was doing this,” she says, poking his shoulder gently. “Sometimes grown-ups do that when they’re trying to say something important to each other.” Andy’s not convinced.

“Everything’s fine, Son,” Carl starts, staring straight at Aton. “Uncle Aton will never raise his voice or hand to Mommy again.” Aton takes another step back, message received.