White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick

behavior odd and trying. So much so, in fact, that when Quinn mentioned her reserve, she was ready to say what was on her mind.
    "Are you all right?" Quinn asked late in the visit--the Rowans would be leaving in an hour and the girls were having a quiet moment in Arcineh's room.
    "Yes:' Arcineh said, not intending to elaborate.
    "You've been acting a little funny all weekend."
    Arcineh weighed her options and plunged in. "I'm trying not to get you upset."
    "Why would I be upset?" Quinn frowned.
    54
    "That's what I've asked myself the last few times we've been together, and since I don't have an answer, I don't know how to avoid it." "What is that supposed to mean?"
    Arcineh sighed and didn't try to answer. Quinn demanded an answer, but Arcineh was already in trouble and opted for silence. Quinn left the room in tears, and Arcineh didn't bother to follow.
    What Arcineh didn't bank on was her aunt's presence just moments later. She was already red in the face, and Arcineh had no idea what she'd done.
    "What did you say to Quinn?" Tiffany demanded.
    Arcineh stared at her, wishing she'd kept her mouth shut. "Answer me, Arcineh!"
    "What's going on?" Jeremy said, coming on them suddenly. Unbeknownst to Arcineh, her eyes pleaded with those of her uncle.
    "I'm trying to find out why Quinn is crying," Tiffany snapped. "I know Arcineh said something."
    "Tiffany," Jeremy began, and his wife turned on him.
    "Don't you take that tone with me!"
    Arcineh watched in amazement as the two began to fight. From the side of her bed, Arcineh stared at their flushed faces and listened to their angry words. She caught movement at the door but couldn't take her eyes from the arguing couple. Not until her grandfather walked into the room did Arcineh shift her gaze.
    "Jeremy, Tiffany:' he said quietly. "Stop."
    These words had a unique effect on each person. Jeremy stopped altogether and exited the room, but Tiffany only shifted her attack to her father.
    "He always takes Arcie's side!"
    "Arcie's side against whom?" her father asked.
    "Arcie said something to upset Quinn, and all Jeremy can do is defend her."
    This was the last thing Sam wanted right now, but he made himself turn to Arcineh.
    55
    "What did you say to Quinn?"
    "Only that I don't know what I do that upsets her," the child whispered, "and that's why I've been a little quiet:'
    The face that accompanied this announcement was so pale that not even Tiffany could ignore it. The little girl had curled into a protective ball near the footboard of her bed.
    All Tiffany's anger drained away then, and she left without speaking. Sam continued to look at Arcineh, not sure what to say. The silence seemed to stretch between them for a long time when only seconds had passed.
    "They're leaving soon," Sam eventually said.
    Arcineh only nodded.
    "Quinn is sensitive he added as an afterthought, and then because he felt a need to rescue the little girl who lived with him, he said, "You don't have to come down if you don't want to:'
    Again Arcineh only nodded and stayed on her bed when he left. She hoped it would be a long time before they visited again.
    The start of school was welcome. Arcineh had had regular physical therapy over the summer and some visits from friends, but as a whole, it had been long and a bit lonely. Violet's nearness was a great comfort, and when her grandfather wasn't working, they enjoyed one another's company, but for the first time ever, Arcineh was happy to have the school year begin.
    She became even happier when a boy, just a year older than her, moved into her class. His name was Landon Rybeck III; he was from New York state; and his father had moved to Chicago for business. He was, in Arcineh's and Daisy's opinions, the cutest boy in the school, and he seemed to have eyes for Arcineh.
    "What if he sits by you at lunch?" Daisy asked at the end of the week.
    56
    "He won't:'
    "Why not?"
    "He just won't:'
    "Arcie, he's from New York:' Daisy said knowingly. "East Coast boys are