Page 137 of Sharkbait
“Hey, Rissy!” Louise beams when we reach her for our turn. “I’m so happy to have you in my workshop! How was ‘What’s the Purpose of a Porpoise?’”
When did she start calling Iris by her nickname?
I love it.
“It was awesome!”
I lean to whisper in her ear, “I was peaceful and patient in line, Miss Anderson. Will you stroke my Mr. Spike?”
“This an educational setting for children,” she whispers back. “Get your mind out of the gutter, sir.”
Louise insisted on moving her things back to Mabel’s for the two weeks that Iris was here. She thinks it would be confusing for her to see her dad essentially living with a woman he’s not seriously dating.
I appreciate her care and consideration for my daughter more than she knows, but if Louise thinks I’m not serious about her, then she’s not paying attention.
Iris giggles as she explores the sea urchin.
Louise
“And what is the purpose of a porpoise?”
“That title was actually a bit misleading,” Iris says like a tiny, introspective adult. “The instructor never really answered that question. But anyway, isn’t everyone’s purpose just to be happy?”
This kid floors me with the things that come out of her mouth.
If that is her current six-year-old life philosophy, then maybe Eva and I are doing something right after all.
“That’s, um… That’s a nice way to look at things, sweetie.” I may be imagining it, but Louise seems to get choked up at the interaction and tries to hide it.
“Hey, Louise! Did you know that my daddy is Santa Claus?”
Louise’s eyes go wide as she looks around at the other children. “Isn’t she a bit young to know that?” she whispers to me.
“Don’t worry,” I whisper back. “She’s still a believer.”
Iris prattles on. “I don’t mean he’s the real Santa Claus. Duh, how could he be the real Santa Claus? I mean he’s going to dress like Santa Claus next Saturday.”
“The aquarium asked me to fill in as Scuba Santa next weekend,” I explain. “She’s excited. I know Saturday is your day off, but I was hoping maybe you’d be game to watch her while I’m in the tank? Should only be two hours tops.”
She pauses before answering, and for a moment, I’m afraid I’ve overstepped.
“I’d be honored,” she says with a smile.
“Great,” I say, relieved. “Thank you.”
Louise gently lifts the sea urchin away from Iris. “Alright, girlfriend, you know I’d talk to you for hours, but I gotta make sure everyone in line gets a turn. Before you go, though. Psst.” She gestures for Iris to come closer. “My boss said I can do a half day today so I can join you and your daddy for your Philth-adelphia date. Does that sound good?”
“Yesssss,” Iris hisses. “That sounds great! Daddy and I have all the plans planned.”
“You do?” Louise looks at me.
“Wedo,” I say. “We have all the plans.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Louise
James and Iris weren’t kidding. They made all the plans.
