Koby Odell Simmons

Koby sat in Birdie’s reading nook. It really wasn’t only hers, per se, but she used it the most. That night, the house was quiet. He had a little tickle in his throat, so he coughed, but other than that, no one was stirring. It was sort of early in the evening for the house to be so calm, 10:30 to be exact, but Koby reveled in the silence. Upstairs, Diesel and Atlas were sound asleep, Koby had read them a new story for bed that night, and now he was able to check in on his other siblings. He text Crosby first, but she was busy being a teenager, of course. She didn’t reply as often as Leah. So, after giving it a couple minutes waiting for Crosby’s Facetime call, Koby text Leah. He had a question anyways and she was better fit to answer it. Out of all of his siblings, Leah was pretty much his female counterpart. 

“Hey 😊“ Koby text her.  Hey! “Are you busy?” Just folding laundry. Becca obviously can’t do it herself.

Rebecca, or Becca, was Leah’s foster mother. She was a mousy lady who put her biological children lightyears ahead of Leah and Callie Ann. She was also a “Karen,” and made Leah do a lot of the chores like Cinderella.  “Love that. Hey, what’s Atlas’s favorite color? Blue?” It was green last week when I Facetimed him. “I would ask him but I don’t want him to ask me why then.” Why do you need his favorite color? “Birthday gift. I’m going to get him a bike!” Koby was so excited for Atlas’s birthday.  Stop! He’s going to love it!  “I know 😎You should come and visit and surprise him!”  Ugh, please don’t tempt me. You know I would in a heartbeat.  Koby smiled, sincerely texting back, “I’ll buy your plane ticket.”  Becca won’t let me. It’s her daughters dance recital soon. She’s having me teach her emotion? I keep telling her my faces while I dance aren’t all emotions, it’s just trauma, but she still wants me to teach her.  “Haha. You’re too good for them.” I know.  “Nora’s going to get you here soon. Waverly’s breaking her down on the daily.” God, I hope so. I don’t know how many more times Callie and I can listen to the Mamma Mia soundtrack before I lose my mind.  “Lol!” 

Leah took a couple minute pause, and Koby assumed it was to finish up what she was doing and get ready for bed. She was still very much in school and raising Callie all on her own, even though the system had promised to place them in a home together that would help, Becca wasn’t that home. Koby wished for them to come to Nora’s, and Crosby too. Crosby had grown so much. He knew by the time he saw her again she was going to be a full-fledged teenager who wanted nothing to do with her older brother. He smirked at the thought of it. 

Question! And no cheating!  Koby looked back down at his phone and text, “Okay, what?” When you think of me what color do you think of?  “Yellow?” You are such a cheater! “What kind of question is that?”  I saw it on Instagram! I don’t know! It’s supposed to determine how you think of me.  “From a color?”  Yeah! Lol. Nvm. I’m tired, Kob. I’ll text you tomorrow, okay? “Okay. Love you. Goodnight.” Love you! Goodnight. God bless you, sweet dreams. “God bless you, sweet dreams, Lee.”