Chapter 570: A Clue
"Look, Gabe! This is when I lost my first tooth," Arabelle said, pointing to a picture of herself grinning with a gap-toothed smile. "And this is my first birthday! Look at all the balloons!"
Gabe smiled warmly, as he squished her cheeks between his palms. "You were so tiny, Arabelle. Like a little balloon yourself. And I see that you have your gaze on the prize.. So, did you eat all of the cake that you are eyeing?"
Arabelle pouted like a little duck and rolled her eyes," I don’t remember. But I was a growing kid and Mum said that children who are growing should not worry about eating well."
"I agree with your mum so don’t get all pouty on me, Missy." Gabe rolled his eyes, even as he glanced at Autumn, who was sifting through another box in the corner of the room.
Her movements were tense, her face a mask of concentration and frustration. Papers, trinkets, and old letters are spread out around her in a chaotic mess. Gabe’s eyes flicked over the mess before going back to her, noticing the deepening furrow in her brow. He could see the frustration mounting in her every movement.
Feeling frustrated would not be good for her. It would only increase her worry and chances of missing someting important. Deciding to intervene, he gently nudged Arabelle and whispered to her conspirationally, "Miss Arabelle, why don’t we look at another album? Maybe we can find some funny pictures of your sister when she was little."
Arabelle giggled, the sound light and joyful, breaking through the room, even causing Autumn to glance at her with a fond smile, "Okay, Gabe! Let’s me show you Autumn’s baby pictures!" She clapped her hands together, her eyes bright with mischief. "There is one where she is..."
Before Arabelle could grab the album and show it to him, Autumn had rushed to snatch the album away as she threatened," Arabelle! Just you wait. How can you expose your sister like that..."
"Aww! Autumn! How can you say that. It is such a cute picture."
"Uh huh. Why don’t I take you for a picture like that..."
Gabe smiled as he looked at Autumn’s distracted face and joined in on the fun," Come on, Autumn. Who doesn’t have a few embarrassing pictures from childhood. Let us see..."