Alexis sat on the edge of Owen's bed reading him a bedtime story, Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile. When she got to the end where the crocodile was burnt up by the sun, Owen laughed hysterically.
"That's a silly story."
"He got what he deserved for trying to eat up those children," Alexis told him.
"Do baddies always get what they deserve?"
"No," Alexis said thoughtfully. "And sometimes goodies don't get what they deserve either."
"Why not?"
"Because the universe doesn't recognize fair from unfair. It doesn't work like that."
Owen gave her a pensive look. "I like how you talk to me."
"I have managed to lose most of my Mangrove accent. Thank you, England."
"No, I mean you answer my questions and sometimes you even use big words.
Daddy tells me to go play ball. I don't like to play ball."
"Well, I think grown-ups don't like to think about some of the things you like to think about."
"Why not?"
"Because it's difficult and most people prefer easy."
"Do you think the crocodile in the story knows he's dead?"
Back to his usual thought pattern. Alexis shook her head ruefully. "I really don't know, Owen."
"But why don't you know? Mommy says you think you know everything."
Alexis smirked and ruffled Owen's hair. "You might want to steer clear of a career in the CIA." She gave him a sidelong glance. "Why do you think so much about death, anyway?"
"Don't know. I guess everything and everyone dies, right? Why not be interested in something that happens to everything and everyone? If I can understand death, then maybe I will understand everything in the whole universe."
He threw his arms open wide and accidentally smacked Alexis in the face. They both giggled. Impulsively, Alexis reached over and hugged him.
"Owen, don't ever stop questioning things, no matter how annoying your family thinks you are. Be true to yourself and you will be the happiest person you know."
She kissed him on the forehead and stood to leave.
"If I had known you all this time," he said, "I would have missed you since you've been gone."
Alexis was touched. "Me too."
"Do you think you'll stay now? I like the guy with the guitar."
"So do I."
"You should stay."
She smiled down at her nephew. "Goodnight, Owen."
Alexis turned off the light and Owen snuggled under the covers, settling happily into the darkness.
Downstairs, Betsy shook off her jacket, having just arrived home from a long day at the salon. "Hey, how'd it go?"
"No trouble at all."
"I'm sure Owen was the last one to sleep. You need to pry the book out of his hand even after he's asleep."