"I'm not James Bond."

"Just as secretive though," Betsy mumbled, then more audibly. "I'll go get some muffins."

"I'm surprised you find time to bake."

"You can always find time for the important things," Betsy said, never failing to miss an opportunity to remind Alexis of her failures as a sister and MacAdams family member.

Betsy returned to the kitchen and Owen sat on the couch, his dark brown eyes fixated on Alexis. She smiled as he continued to stare at her without blinking.

"How do you know when you're dead?" he asked.

Alexis's job often required her to think on her feet, especially when dealing with clients, but she found herself completely unprepared for this four-year-old.

"Well, uh, I think that depends on your religious or philosophical viewpoint."

"What's yours?"

Alexis shifted from foot to foot. "Um, I think you don't know when you're dead.

You die and your brain switches off and you're gone."

"Like a computer."

"Something like that."

"My mommy says you go to a place called haven."

"I think you mean Heaven."

"Why don't you think you go to Heaven?"

"I certainly like the idea," Alexis said quietly. "I hope your mom is right."

Owen leaped onto the floor and picked up a plastic T-Rex. "Do you wanna play dinosaurs? They're extinct, you know. That means they all died and there are none left.

Not one single one!"

Betsy returned with muffins in a basket and paper plates. "Owen, Aunt Alexis doesn't want to play dinosaurs. She wants to have her muffin and then I'm sure she has important work to check on."

Alexis shook her head as she bit into her muffin. "You've gotten even better," she said, still chewing. "This is delicious."

"Mommy, she's talking with her mouth full."

"Don't worry about it, Owen."

"But it's against the rules."

"Aunt Alexis has her own rules." Betsy handed Owen his own, smaller muffin.

"I want my own rules too," he demanded.

"When you're older, you get to be in charge. Make your own decisions. That's one of the advantages of being a grown-up," said Alexis.

"Yes, that and all the responsibility that flows from those decisions," her sister added meaningfully. Alexis ignored the jibe; she figured she deserved it.

"Will you come to my play?" Owen abruptly asked.

Alexis looked to Betsy, her child translator, again.

"His preschool is run by the church and they're putting on a Christmas play.

Owen has a speaking part."

"I'm a Wise Man," Owen said proudly.

"I'll bet you are," Alexis said.

"Don't feel obligated..." Betsy began.

"I would love to come," Alexis said truthfully. She was charmed by her nephew and wanted to show her support, no matter how uncomfortable she felt.




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