Page 31 of Noble Neighbor
“Uncle Aleck once said Daddy deserved to rot in prison. Sam’s daddy is in prison, so …”
“Kenzie.” Sunny placed her hands on either side of Kenzie’s face. “You are not, under any circumstances, responsible for your father’s behavior. His actions … they don’t make you a bad person. Ever.”
“But the nice kids won’t want to be friends with me if they know about Daddy. Michaela’s daddy is a soldier. He’s ahero. If she finds out …”
“That part of our life is over, Kenzie.Nobodywill ever know.”
“But if they do?”
“Well, people who know you, really know you, and know what a sweet girl you are? It won’t matter to them, honey. And Michaela likes you. Just for you — Kenzie Jones.”
“That’s not even my name,” Kenzie accused.
Sunny tightened her grip.Oh, Kenzie. My poor baby. I’d really hoped you’d forgottenthatpart.“Why would you think that?”
“I remember another name. I think … maybe … Kat?”
Forcing a chuckle and a light-hearted tone, Sunny replied, “Oh, Kenzie, that’s because your Grandpa called you his Kitty-cat. Like he called me Sunny-girl.”
“Oh.” Kenzie cocked her head. “Did he have … like, lots of tickly hair around his mouth? And a big voice?”
A chuckle broke from Sunny. “Why, yes. Yes, he did. Do you remember him?” She smoothed a hand over Kenzie’s head.
“I think so. Is he dead, too, Mommy?”
For us, yes.“Yes, hon. ’Fraid so.”
Sunny dropped her chin to Kenzie’s head and shut her eyes for a moment. Hopefully, this was the end of this crisis.But how many more are ahead of us?
She suppressed a sigh and pulled her girl close.
A peaceful minute passed before Kenzie pushed away and asked, “I don’t have to be friends with Sam?”
“No, honey, you don’t.” Sunny smoothed out the frown on Kenzie's forehead.
“Good. Because I really don’t like Sam.”
Sunny closed her eyes for a moment in relief. “But I reckon you owe Clem an apology.”
Kenzie’s shoulders fell. “Guess so.”
“How about I ask them over for dinner tonight?”
A relieved smile broke across Kenzie’s solemn features. “Thank you, Mommy.”
“You’re welcome, honey.”
“And I’m sorry for slamming doors.”
“I know you are. I love you, Kenzie.”
“Love you, too, Mommy.”
*
Raucous laughter drifted through the house and out onto the front porch where Sunny sat beside Oliver on her new Adirondack swing. They were both quietly sipping from the excellent merlot he’d brought, and she savored every single drop passing her lips. The night was cool, but the hoodie she’d thrown on before venturing outside kept the chill at bay.
“It would be helpful if you didn’t drink your wine with such … rapture,” he said in a gruff voice.
