Free Skies Like These by Tess Hilmo Page B

the Parkers’ store. They kept her from worrying about Roy’s antics over at the Hammer and Nail or his warped idea to rob a bank.
    â€œWhat are we going to do with that boy?” she asked Copernicus, who was stretched out in a triangle of sunlight by the refrigerator.
    Copernicus rolled over, facing the opposite direction.
    â€œYou don’t think I should encourage his idiotic plan, do you?”
    Copernicus turned his head back and meowed.
    â€œWell,” Jade said, “then you’re just as crazy. Two kids cannot rob a bank and get away with it.”
    Copernicus blinked.
    â€œThey can’t!”
    The cat licked his paws, stood up, and left the kitchen.
    Jade leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. “I’m arguing with a cat,” she said to the empty room. “A cat!”
    â€œIt happens to the best of us.” Aunt Elise came through the back door. Tufts of dog fur dotted her sweater-vest. When she noticed Jade noticing, she said, “Astro likes to wrestle and Genghis Khan needs a cuddle from time to time, even if he won’t admit it.”
    â€œThey’re lucky to have you.”
    She pulled pieces of straw from her sandals. “I was cleaning out one of the kennels. Mia went home today and both Sadie and Lady will go home tomorrow, but the Governor is coming, so that helps.”
    â€œThe Governor?”
    â€œI don’t name them, I just love them. He’s a black lab and full of get-up-and-go. I think you’ll get along.” She sat down at the table. “What were you arguing with Copernicus about?”
    How could Jade even begin to explain? “Nothing, really.”
    â€œHe’s used to ruling the roost, so let me know if he needs a talking-to and I’ll take care of it.”
    That made Jade smile.
    â€œI’d typically microwave a frozen burrito for dinner, but I promised your mom I’d make more of an effort in the meal department. How about you help me put something together?”
    Jade looked in the cupboards. They were filled with things like canned okra, canned tomatoes, canned tuna, canned spinach, canned pearl onions, canned Vienna sausages (which made Jade gag to even think about), canned chili, canned peaches, and canned kidney beans. “You got anything fresh?” she asked.
    â€œAll of those cans are fresh. I got them right before you came.”
    Jade tried the refrigerator. There was a plastic container that held the leftover stew, a few slabs of bacon, milk, cheese, and a dozen eggs. Those eggs gave her an idea.
    â€œHow about an omelet?” she said. “We can make it with bacon, onions, and cheese.”
    â€œExcellent!” Aunt Elise said, picking the dog fur off her sweater-vest and going over to the sink to wash her hands. “You take the lead.”
    Jade took the pearl onions from the cupboard, hoping a salt-and-butter sauté would help with their slimy, canned texture. “Where do you keep your nonstick pans?”
    Aunt Elise pointed to the cast-iron skillet on the stove. “That pan will sauté, fry, boil, and burn anything you want. It’s multitalented.”
    Jade set to work: whisking and chopping and seasoning, making do with what they had. She lined bacon strips onto a plate and popped them in the microwave.
    Aunt Elise grated the cheese. “Where did you learn to cook?”
    â€œMy mom taught me some things, but mostly I figured it out on my own. I’m not very good.”
    â€œI disagree, this smells delicious.”
    Jade kept stirring the onions, trying to keep them from burning in the pan. “It won’t be perfect,” she said.
    â€œWho cares about that? Perfect has no personality.”
    Jade poured in the whisked eggs and sprinkled the cheese and microwaved bacon on top. She flipped the omelet over, pushing the broken middle back together and let it finish cooking.
    â€œNow this is a meal with character,” Aunt Elise said