Page 90 of The Shell Collector
Hailey tugged on Paul’s arm. “Paul?”
“Yeah, Lightning Bug?”
“I need to tell you something.”
“Okay, sure.” He stooped down to get to her level. “What’s up?”
Her mouth moved from side to side. “I think this is going to make you really sad.”
“Oh no.”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’m ready.”
She wiggled a finger, begging him in closer. “Daddy is in heaven.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.
Paul took in a quick breath.
“We don’t talk about it much, but I know you love him too.He’s not coming back. We miss him a lot.” She placed herhand on his arm. “You’re gonna be really sad for a while like us.”
“I am.” He patted his chest. “It breaks my heart, but thank you for telling me.”
“It’s okay. I’m here for you, and Jesse will make you laugh.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s really good at that.”
“You are very grown-up. Anybody ever tell you that?”
“Mom says it all the time.”
“I bet she does. You’re extra special.”
“You are too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck so tight he had to lift his chin up to get a good breath, but he’d have given up breathing completely for this moment. He sucked back a sob that hung in his throat.
“It’s okay to cry if you need to.”
He pressed his fingers to his nose. “Thank you.”
“Daddy told me to be a good girl when he left. I’m doin’ my best, but it’s not always easy.”
“I bet you are. Guess what! I have a surprise for all of us tonight.”
She let go of his neck. “I love surprises.”
Amanda stepped out onto the stoop. “Come on. Dinner’s ready.”
Jesse led the way, with Denali on his heels. He was the first one in his chair, sitting high in his booster seat. Paul took the spot between Hailey and Amanda.
“Macaroni and cheese.” Paul’s head lolled back. “I’d forgotten until this second how much I used to love your homemade mac ’n’ cheese.”
“It’s my favorite,” Jesse said.
They enjoyed the panfried ham, macaroni and cheese, and fresh tomato-cucumber salad over silly conversations about cartoons, shells on the beach, and bugs they’d collected in the backyard.
“This dinner was great.” Paul rubbed his belly. “Are you full too?” he asked Jesse, who rubbed his belly in response. “We better clean up the dishes and the kitchen so we can get ready for fun!”
“What are you up to, Paul Grant? You’re keeping secrets from me now?” Amanda teased.
“Not really a secret. More like a surprise.”
