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Chelsea shrank back. Why did Unkie Donny want to touch her? Was he going to do something to her?

“Honey,” Daddy said, “go say good-bye to your uncle.”

Unkie Donny smiled. Chelsea blinked a few times. It was Unkie Donny—why would she be afraid of him? He loved her. Chelsea let go of her daddy’s hand and ran up to the car door. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Unkie Donny on the cheek.

“Bye-bye, Unkie Donny.”

“You be a good girl, okay?”

Chelsea nodded. He seemed . . . different. So did Daddy. So did Cousin Betty. The only one who didn’t seem different was Mommy. Why was that? Maybe Chelsea didn’t need to fear Unkie Donny at all—maybe she needed to fear Mommy. Mommy might get the spanky-spoon.

Chelsea leaned in and whispered in Unkie Donny’s ear. “When we come see you, can you take me to get my ears pierced?”

Unkie Donny laughed, then touched her cheek. “I’m afraid that’s up to your dad.”

Chelsea loved the way Unkie Donny smiled at her. Just like Daddy did.

Unkie Donny was a lot like Daddy. Chelsea wished he would come by more often. He knew a lot about the Deeeee-troit basket-ballll.

Unkie Donny’s face wrinkled up. He gently pushed Chelsea away, then coughed so hard his head almost hit the steering wheel. He coughed again, then leaned back and laughed a little. He waved his hand at his face, like he was trying to cool off.

“I’m going to get you for giving this to us,” Unkie Donny said to Daddy.

“I hope we get home before it really kicks in; I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a humdinger.” “If you get sick, just be safe and get a hotel,” Mommy said. “Don’t be a stubborn b.a.s.t.a.r.d like your brother.”

“Candice, come on,” Daddy said.

Chelsea knew that Daddy was pointing at her, even though she couldn’t see him do it. He did that when Mommy used the bad language.

“Aw, c.r.a.p, sorry,” Mommy said. “Okay, guys, you get going—and drive safe! ”

Unkie Donny rolled up the window and backed out of the drive. As he drove away, Chelsea poked at the little b.u.mps on her hands.

Mommy knelt down in front of her. “Honey, are you okay?”

What did Mommy mean by that? Maybe she meant . . . nothing. Chelsea did feel really hot. Mommy was just trying to take care of her. Chelsea shook her head.

“Okay, baby,” Mommy said. “Let’s get you out of this cold air and back to bed.”

“Me too,” Daddy said. “I feel wrecked. Let’s. .h.i.t the sack.”

The Jewell family walked inside the house.

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