"Adults handle grown-up stuff, and we have our own games," said William, puffing out his cheeks with frustration, "We don't have to worry about adults because there's no way we can tell them what to do."
"Yes," Nina nodded in agreement, "Mira and I didn't want our parents to split up, but they did it anyway. Adults don't listen to kids, and they just expect us to listen to them."
"I hate grown-ups," William grumbled.
Nina sighed, "Weren't adults just like us once? Wishing they could be part of family decisions but failing. Then they grow up and become the same kind of parents, never taking their own kids' opinions seriously. Maybe we'll end up the same way."
"I sure won't," William protested, pursing his lips, "I'll definitely respect my kids, you know?"
Kane clapped him on the shoulder, "Maybe you will, maybe you won't. People change. You might grow up and think your kid's ideas were pretty childish."
Skyler nodded vigorously, like a bobblehead, "Yeah, when I was little, I wished for a big brother to protect me and kept bugging Mom to make it happen. Now I've got one, but he's a total jerk. Also, I used to wish I'd never grow up, just stay little forever. But getting bigger ain't so bad. I'm tall and strong now; nobody dares to pick on me."
William's head drooped. Did everyone think he was just being a brat? Should he not have protested against his mom and Uncle Leopold having a baby sister? No one seemed to understand how he felt.
"You guys go ahead and play. I want to be alone for a bit."
"Okay then," Skyler said, and he and Nina took off to play with their robotic dog.
Kane wrapped an arm around William's shoulder, "Hey, remember, my dad is your dad too. Whether you like it or not, he's your real dad, and that's something you can't change. Don't always be at odds with him, okay?"
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