Page 37 of Finding Home
“Daddy,” Lila calls, thankfully pulling Everett’s attention.
“Yeah, Peanut.”
“I don’t know what to do with my hair.”
She’s now standing at the top of the stairs, a brush and hair ties in her hands.
“Up or down?” he asks.
“I don’t know,” she pouts.
“Well, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me how you want it.”
“How about some braids?” I interject, and Lila’s face lights up.
“Yes!” she says and jumps on her toes.
“Why don’t you bring those things down, and I’ll braid your hair for you.”
She hurriedly comes down the stairs, and Everett offers me a soft smile, and I smile back. I lead Lila over to the couch and take a seat and have her sit on the floor between my legs and start running the brush through her hair.
“Do you want one or two braids?”
I watch her tap her finger against her lip a couple of times before she says, “Two.”
I quickly divide her hair and do it up in two french braids, softly running my hand over them to tamper down any flyaways. I pat her shoulder. “Okay, you’re all done.”
Lila jumps up and runs to the bathroom, coming back with a grin from ear to ear. “I love them.” She runs over to Everett. “Daddy, look at my braids. They’re so pretty. Can you learn to do them pretty like Miss M?”
“I can try, Peanut. Right now, we need to get ready for dinner.”
She sits on the floor and slides on her sandals and attempts to do the buckles, her tongue between her lips as she concentrates.
“Peanut, why don’t we wear something a little warmer. It’s chilly outside.”
She shakes her head. “But, Daddy, these shoes go with my dress.”
He crouches in front of her and helps her do the buckles while he shakes his head. When he stands, he heads into the kitchen andreturns with a bottle of scotch and a bouquet of white lilies and pink carnations.
I bite my lip to hold back my smile at the effort he’s going through to meet my parents.
“You ladies ready?”
I nod, and Lila says, “Yeah.”
I take Lila’s hand and lead her out to the car while Everett follows us and locks the house. I help her into the car and get her buckled before rounding the car to the passenger side. As I reach for the door handle, Everett beats me there, opening the door for me and helping me in, before placing the bottle of scotch at my feet and handing me the bouquet.
I give him directions on the short drive to my parents’ place. As he pulls into the driveway, I warn them about Mickey, and Lila cheers, excited to meet the dog. I lead them up to the house. Pushing open the front door, I call, “Hello.”
Mom beams at me as soon as she sees us turn the corner into the kitchen.
“Mom, this is Everett Lawson and his daughter Lila, Everett and Lila, this is my mom, Melanie.”
Everett holds his hand out to Mom. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Maxwell.” He hands her the flowers, and her grin widens.
“These are lovely. Thank you, Everett.”
He nods politely, and his hand finds the top of Lila’s head as she leans against his leg, arms wrapped around it.
