Page 59 of Tango

“Did you ever hear about the dolphin that turned into a flower?” I picked up the banana and showed it to her then made motions with it as if it were a dolphin.

“No, and dolphins are blue, Miss Ivy,” she whispered and continued to color in a puppy in her book.

“Yes, most are blue, but there’s some very special ones that are yellow.” She gave me a quick look, and I knew she was curious. “Yup, and these yellow dolphins can turn into a flower. May I show you?” She nodded and watched me draw two eyes and a happy face on the top of the banana. I used the tip of the stem as the beak. She smiled a little. “Yellow dolphin.” I slowly peeled back the skin and used a paring knife to slice the banana into slivers while keeping the base of the banana whole. “Ready?” She watched as I lifted it and set it straight up. The thin sliced pieces bowed under their own weight and formed into a flower.

“That’s pretty. Can you show me something else?” She had brightened up and was talking, and I could see the relief on June’s face.

“Of course, but you have to eat this, before I can do another.” She reached for it and slowly peeled the petals down and ate them like string cheese.

“Thank you,” June whispered as she fixed a bit of hair that had escaped her elastic. We both looked toward the living room as laughter erupted. I checked it out. The Dark Water team played a card game, and they seemed to enjoy poking fun at each other as they played. I gave a satisfied nod.

“Do you like to color, Reagan?” I turned my attention back to her.

“I like to draw more.”

“Do you think you could draw me a picture of something? Anything you want. I have a whole wall above the table in my office that needs some decorating, and it sure could use a picture.”

“Okay.” She pushed her coloring book aside and started to draw something. I knew drawing was a perfect insight into a kid’s head. I didn’t give direction on what to draw so I could see where her head was in the moment. Savannah came in the front door, and I waved to get her attention.

“I’ll be right back, okay?” Reagan kept drawing. “Once you’re finished with your banana, I’ll show you how apples can become frogs.”

I made my way over to Savannah, who looked over my shoulder at Reagan.

“Did you get her to eat?”

“She just needed food to be fun. Takes her attention away from her thoughts.” I shrugged. “Listen, I was wondering if we could do Zack’s tonight.”

“You had me at Za,” she laughed. “Yeah, for sure. Everything okay?”

“I kinda met Ty’s parents without him. He seems to be apprehensive about spending time with them. Now his sister’s trying to plan something, and I want to get him to go. Maybe if he knew everyone was coming to Zack’s afterward?”

She grinned. “Smart.”

“It’s hard navigating between I want to help but not stepping over a line,” I confessed.

“Say no more. I’ll set it up.” She waved her arms. “This is my jam.”

“Thanks.” I turned to leave then swung back. “You still owe me that secret.” I made a motion toward June.

“That’ll just be the cherry on top of tonight’s events.” She winked.

After I got Reagan to eat half an apple and a peanut butter spoon, I headed outside where I found Ty, Mark, Moore, and Gear cleaning weapons in the shed that Ty and I had christened a while ago.

“Am I interrupting?”

“Nope,” Gear grinned, “just making sure all is right before we head out.”

“Right.” I smiled back, as he was such a friendly guy, but I felt my stomach twist at the idea of them going. “Just wanted to let you guys know you’re going to Zacks’s tonight, but we’re heading there first.”

“A night out,” Mark hooted. “Sounds just about right.”

“Zack’s?” Gear looked confused, and Moore filled him in. “Will there be women?”

“It’s a ski town. There’s all kinds of fine ladies there.” Mark smirked playfully but immediately frowned when he caught my glare. “It’s not like I took home anyone’s number.” He gave me a sly look.

“Mark,” I scowled and shot my gaze over to Ty, who stared at me, “you’re a shit disturber.”

“Just a minute here.” Ty pointed his rag at him. “That’s the second time you’ve brought that up, Lopez.”

---