Monster Twelve - Glasses

Monster Twelve - Glasses

Monster Twelve - Glasses

I hummed happily as I read.

I was supposed to be reading a textbook on anatomy, but there were pictures in it that made me squeamish. My little friends were cute, not all gory and yucky. Still, the books had given me some ideas.

I definitely had to experiment with claws and tentacles moreto make my little friends that much better at grabbing and cuddling.

None of that mattered at the moment. I was taking a small break from all the reading to read something else, a story about a strange bunny-girl and her friends going on merry adventures across a strange land. It was distracting, but lots of fun.

Valeria, I heard Mom call.

I brought a hand up in a one moment gesture. I couldnt just leave off in the middle of the page, that would be terrible. Then, when I reached the end I fumbled a bookmark into the crevice between the pages. Yes, Mom? I asked.

Mom was standing nearby, hands tucked together over her tummy, back straight and nose turned up. Child, Ive noticed that you squint as you read.

Looking back to my book, I stared at the letters. They were a little blurry unless I squeezed my cheeks up and pinch my brows. I guess so, I say. Most things are fuzzy when theyre not close.

Yes. That might explain your posture.

My posture? I asked.

Hunched over and bent nearly double. Its terrible for your back and unbecoming. You will grow stooped and crooked at this rate.

I scratched at my chin, then shrugged. Thats what I need to do to read, I said.

Being a little bent wasnt a big price to pay to read as much as I wanted. There is a solution to that. Follow me.

I closed my book and set it to the side as I got off my seat then arranged my skirts. Mom didnt wait for me. She was already halfway across the library, so I had to jog to catch up to her. Where are we going? I asked.

Downstairs, Mom said. I have something for you.

A present? I asked. I skipped ahead of her and started to walk backwards. What is it?

Its hardly a present. Just a tool you need. And that I expect you to take care of, she said.

That sounds a lot like a gift to me, I said.

You didnt steal them, right? I asked.

Im certain the original makers were all very well remunerated, she replied as she handed me another pair. Now, lets find a set that both fits and functions.

Hmm, alright, I said as I grabbed the glasses.

It took a dozen more tries before I found a pair that helped. They were thick, like the bottom of an old glass bottle, and round, with metal stalks that reached back and grabbed at my ears. Heavy too, and it felt like they were pinching my nose.

But they worked.

Whoa, I said as I looked around. Things were so much clearer!

Wonderful, Luciana said. Do you want to test them outside? Im aware youre liable to use them only to read, but you should see if they function beyond that as well.

Yeah, sure! I said as I jumped to my feet. I had to adjust the glasses since the bounce made them loosen on my head. Maybe I could make a little friend that would hold them in place? That seemed easy enough to do.

Mom and I stepped out onto the balcony, and when a chilly wind came in from the north, Mom glared it away.

I dont think Mom actually needed me to test my new glasses on the coast. Even with clearer vision, there wasnt all that much to see. Waves lapping at the knife-edged rocks poking out of the shallower waters on the edge, the cliffs of black stone atop which big old grumpy dragons and wyverns were napping, maybe the occasional tentacle from one of Moms krakens. Normal stuff.

I think she just wanted time alone with me. Thanks, Mom, I said. I shuffled to the side and tucked my head in under her arm.

Mom always went very stiff when I did that kind of thing. She wasnt used to hugs and cuddles, but...

Her hand carefully, gently, came down on my head. A pat, which was like a hug, if you squinted, then she lowered her hand and pulled me into her side a little.

I grinned, cheeks warming even as I hugged her tighter. Youre the best, you know, I declared.

I merely gave you a tool you needed. Nothing more, she replied.

I love you too, I said. I looked up to her, and saw her glance down before looking away.

Yes, well... you have been a good... diversion. And... I think... I suspect you would make a, ah, a good daughter... perhaps.

I laughed and turned so I could squeeze her all the harder. There was no way something like that could be said without at least a hug in return!

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