Piper (Queen's Birds of Prey #4) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,11

I go, I’m going to have people making fun of me. Anyway. There is a college for gifted people. I’m not saying I’m gifted, but I like to read. They want to see some work I can do. I’ve not told Mom and Dad about this school yet. I know it’s really expensive, but I think I’ll like it there better than any other place I’ve been.”

“What’s the name of the college?” He told her. “Okay. Just so you know, your mom and Aunt Mercy have a lot to do with that college. They donate every year to their fundraisers. So that might be an in for you. What else do you have to do for them to be accepted?”

“An outstanding art project. Know two languages. I have to show them I’m able to read on a higher level than twice my age. Then I have to be able to be on some of the teams. I’m not sure what that might be, but I think it’s like debate teams or something.” She told him they had competitions yearly for scholarships. Debates were only a small part of it. “I didn’t know that, but I think I can hold my own so long as I don’t have to be in any sports. I love to watch football and other contact sports, but I’m too little for much more than watching.”

“You’ll grow into it. So, you need me to help you with the outstanding art project. What did you have in mind? And so you know, I’m not going to do it for you.” He said he’d hoped she wouldn’t. “What did you have in mind?”

He told her how he was thinking of making a map of the United States in relief format. “I know you worked with all kinds of media before you came to blowing heat. I was wondering if you’d show me how to make clay work for what I have in mind. I don’t want you to do it for me, but to show me how to work with the clay so I can figure out what I’m doing.”

“I can do that. On one condition.” He nodded and said he had to tell his parents. “That’s right. I won’t mind helping you, kid, but I’m not going behind their backs to do that. We’re very close, and I’d hate for any one of them to be upset with either of us.”

“I understand. The reason I went to you first was to make sure I could get some help with the projects. The others are easy enough for me. I’ve been looking around in the books Grandma Dante left for you guys, and Latin isn’t easy, but I’m learning it. Also, I have a program on my computer that is teaching me Spanish. It’s fun.”

“Most people wouldn’t think learning Latin is fun, buddy. It’s a difficult language for most people.” He grinned at her. “Everything else you have on this list you told me about, you have it down pat too, I’m assuming.”

“Yes. I’ve been reading since I was living with my other parents. I could work with numbers too. That was one of the things that got me into trouble when they had me. Even as a little kid, I was smarter than they were.” He looked around the restaurant and then back at her. “I’m afraid, Aunt Piper. I’m so afraid they’ll know where I am and who’s adopted me and come back for me. I have this feeling they’re not only out there looking for me, but they’ll take me too.”

“Have you heard from them in any way?” He said he’d not, that he was probably being silly. “You’re magical, Abe. I know you’re aware of that. If you think this, feel it, then I’d think you have the right idea about them. Tell me what you know about them.”

He handed her a copy of his birth certificate. She had a feeling he’d gone online and ordered it for himself. She read the two names there and felt the hair at her neck tingle. Putting it away by sending it to her home, she looked at the kid.

“I have two questions for you. You have to be honest with me about it, all right?” He told her he’d never lie to any of them. “Good. The first question. Do you know how you ended up in the home in the first place? What I mean is, did they take you there or was it someone