Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"You silly girl," Mia said with a smile. "Your parents dote on you so you'll be happy, not so you'll have to put up with anything. You really think Leo could stand to see you suffer?"

Henry, who'd already snuck a few sips of soda, piped up, "My big brother would never let me get hurt-"

Mia ruffled his hair. "Exactly! Just look at Henry-hey, Henry! Are you begging for trouble? You swiped drinks from both glasses!"

Henry, proud of himself and full of stolen soda, could tell his mom was about to explode. Before she could reach him, he made a split-second decision-splash! He dove into the pool, grinning mischievously. Clad in her summer dress, Mia could only stand on the edge shaking her finger at him, shouting, "Henry, get out of that pool, right now!"

The happier Henry was, splashing around all afternoon, the louder he wailed that evening.

When his dad got home, he found Henry standing in the corner, doing his best impression of an angel. "What's he done this time?" Andre asked.

Mia let out a sigh. "This afternoon, Anya and I had drinks with ice. I turned my back for a second, and Henry-fresh out of the pool-drank both of them. Not just a sip, but finished both glasses. Just wait, his stomach's going to hurt tonight, and you'll see how pitiful he can be."

Sure enough, Mia's prediction hit the mark.

In the middle of the night, Henry woke up clutching his belly, whimpering for Mom and Dad.

some medicine, and Henry curled up in Mia's arms, looking so miserable that she

at their house-Henry

cradled his son, rubbing his little tummy and soothing him with soft words until Henry finally drifted off to

day, Henry's meals were back to plain and

your tummy hurts." The two of them, one old and one young,

veggie noodles before taking

to visit the Cedillo family, Andre went straight to the point: "No ice cream in front of Henry, please. He drank cold

face

by

they arrived than Wayne and Henry teamed

sisters, disappeared together as

bags down before

was swamped with work on Saturday, as usual. Anya, on her day off and with her boyfriend out of town, got bored at home. So she braved the summer heat and walked all the way to Milka's office building, waiting for

though her voice. was full of affection Why

stopped at the nearby market