Confusing Earth - Chapter 34: Take the Short Way Home

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Chapter 34: Take the Short Way Home

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Nathan, Bella and Jack sat at the table. Liam sat on Bella's lap. He dribbled a little.
'Oh how embarrassing' he thought, wiping it off of his face with his hand.
"We have decided from watching TV that brothers and sisters are competitive with each other" said Jack.

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"Don't use the TV to work out how to act guys" said Nathan, "You are individuals. Not everyone acts exactly like everyone else. You're unique".
There was a pause for a moment as Bella and Jack thought.
"You're right" they both said in unison, "We are unique". They stared at each other in awe.
"Gee being brother and sister means we are so close" said Bella.
"I know" said Jack, "We are so good at it that while we are unique from other people, we are so undifferent from each other that we aren't unique to each other. We even say..."
"The same things" Bella butted in. They laughed.

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Nathan looked up at the clock.
"Max and Maree should be home soon" he commented.
"Are you sure they will be alright walking?" fretted Bella.
"Of course they will" said Nathan, "Their schools are pretty close to my place. It's a short walk"
"But are they old enough?" asked Bella.
"Bella, Max will be with Maree. Max is a teenager, but also don't forget that both of them are really adults in disguise and have about as much knowledge as you do about earth life. They need some freedom. If you want them to become competent living here, you have to let them be independent."
"I know" sighed Bella, "But it's just so hard. It's like they really are my kids. I don't want them to get hurt."

"Seriously Bella, what could happen?" said Jack.
"They could get hit by a car or fall over and hurt themselves or someone or something could come and take them away or hurt them or they might get bitten by something fluffy or furry or they might get into a fight with another person and get hurt or they might trip over and hit their face on the ground and all their teeth come out and blood goes everywhere or one of those spaceship things you call planes might fall out of the sky and squash them or a snake might come past and they will scream and run away from the snake and while they are running they will trip over and then an evil beast will come and bite their faces off. It's too horrible to think about, yet I can't stop thinking about it".

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Nathan and Jack stared at Bella this whole time.
"Bella, you are over-reacting" said Nathan.
"I'm not over-reacting" said Bella, defensively, "I just don't want one of the children hurt".
"But Bella" said Jack "That was a crazy list of things you thought might happen that wouldn't be likely to happen".
Bella was silent for a moment, then she sighed.
"I know" she said "It's just that they do feel like my kids and how do I know no one will take them or hurt them? It's happened before".
Now it was Jack and Nathan's turn to be silent.
"I get it" said Nathan, "I'm sorry about what you had to go through on Banbazoia. Nobody should have to go through that."
Bella nodded.
"But you still have to give these kids some independence" said Nathan, "Both planets have their share of danger and you're right to be concerned, but we can't let being scarred from your past negatively affect the future. The kids will be fine"
Bella looked at Nathan. "I know" she said "and thanks".

Nathan's mobile rang.
"It might be the kids" said Bella, "They may have rung Nathan's mobile instead of one of ours".
Nathan answered the phone.

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