CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED and THIRTY-FOUR

(part two)

“Look!” Beau said. “Look! Look! Look!”

“Look-look-look-look-look!” Chase said.

Max saw that tiny little sprouts.

“Smell!” Beau said and jumped around.

Max leaned down. Even as tiny seedlings, the lavender had its characteristic smell.

“Wow,” Max said.

“Isn’t that neat?” Delphie said.

“Is that normal?” Max asked.

“Yes,” Delphie said. “The Italian Basil, as well. It’s over here.”

Delphie turned around and gestured to a row. Max leaned over to smell.

“That’s incredible,” Max said.

“It’s not so unusual,” Delphie said. “Plants display hints to who they are early on. Like people.”

Delphie gestured to Chase and Beau. The boys’ heads were together as they looked at their flowers.

“I wanted to ask you about them,” Max said. He looked at the boys. “Should we set up another time?”

“We can,” Delphie said with a smile. “If you’re worried about them, they are caught up in their own world right now.”

Max sighed.

“Honey said that. . .”

Max mouthed the word “Chase.” Delphie nodded.

“He’s a sensitive boy,” Delphie said. “He cares deeply about people. Thinks about them. With so many people here, he got overloaded. I spent some time working with him on how to shut it off, but he’ll need to practice.”

“You mean, he’s psychic?” Max asked.

“If I were to say,” Delphie thought for a moment before she nodded, “I’d say that he’s intuitive — like his biological mother. He can sense things that are going on without having to know them intellectually. It’s a real skill.”

A little taken back that Delphie knew who was the boys’ biological mother, Max could only nod.

“Beau is such a lovely child,” Delphie said. “Niamh told me that she thought he’d shoot up.”

“He seems taller than when I saw him last,” Max said.

“I think so too,” Delphie said with a smile. “They are well loved. They’ll be just fine.”

“But Chase. . .” Max said.

“Alex had you to protect her and keep the noise down,” Delphie said. “Chase will need the same help.”

Max gave a nod.

“Maybe a smaller classroom, more quiet time, some meditation,” Delphie said. “If anyone knows how to take care of him, it’s you and Wyatt. They’re both going to live boringly happy lives.”

His eyes welling at the assurance, Max nodded.

“N-t-ee Del-fee,” Chase said.

“Yes, Chase,” Delphie said.

“C-n we take d-eez home?” Beau asked.

“They are pretty little right now,” Delphie said. “Why don’t I bring them to you when they are ready to plant?”

“Okay,” Chase said and Beau nodded.

“You are also welcome to come to see your plants or anyone,” Delphie said. “Any time.”

Chase and Beau grinned. They looked at each other and then nodded to Delphie.

“Come on, lads,” Max said. “Let’s go home.”

“Yea!” Beau and Chase cheered.

The boys followed Max and Delphie out of the tight space of the greenhouse. Max picked up the boys when they were outside and started for the cars. He was immediately surrounded by toddlers, led by Maggie, who want to say “good-bye.” Max set the boys down so that they could say their good-byes.

“Do you know where Máire and Joey are?” Max asked. “Alex will be home tomorrow, and I know she’ll want to spend time with them.”

“They are upstairs with Jackie and Eddie,” Delphie said. “In the loft.”

“If you could possibly keep an eye on the boys, I’ll. . .” Max said.

“I wanted to speak to you about something,” Delphie said.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow...