“Sorry.” She slipped into a proper British accent. “My apologies, good sir. It is only that I find I’m quite unable to breathe in this contraption. I do not know how one is expected to…” She faded out. “Yeah, I got nothing.”
The last part was in her own voice. Jack laughed.
My mean comments needed amending, so what did I do? I added on, “Maybe just keep exclamations of bodily functions to yourself.”
“You mean I shouldn’t show anybody how I can play ‘Old MacDonald’ with my armpit?” She tucked her hand into her armpit like she planned to show a demonstration but quickly snagged it back. “Good gravy, I’m sweating like a sinner in church.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“You kids have fun.” Jack slapped a hand on my back. “Don’t drink and drive, and don’t be out too late.”
“Yes, Dad.” Suzie accepted a kiss to her cheek. Turning to me, she asked, “They have the masks, right?” Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for a small black purse.
I forgot she was all bravado when she was nervous. We were so similar in that regard.
“Yes. They provide them as part of the admission.”
“You had to pay to go?” she asked.
“You have to pay for your seat. That’s the fundraiser.”
“You pay for your chair?”
I shook my head. “No. You purchase the right to attend and then that money goes to charity.”
“Ah. How much?”
“A thousand dollars a chair.”
“Good Lord, they must be made out of gold.”
“No, it’s not the chair you’re buying…” I started but stopped when I saw her face. “You were teasing.”
“I was.” She looped her arm through mine. “Bye, Jacky. Save me some Reese’s.”
“Bye.” He closed the door after us.
I led her carefully through the bushes that lined the entrance to the front yard. A little girl passing pointed and said, “Mommy, look! A real princess.”
Suzie placed a hand to her chest and smiled so big it illuminated the whole street. She was still beaming when I opened her door and lowered her into the car, careful to arrange her skirts to avoid damage. I cleared my throat and hesitated. I wasn’t sure why it felt like it cost me something to say nice things. Or rather, why it felt like sharing would put me at risk for humiliation. But I wanted to make progress with Suzie. I wanted to be better for her.
She was smoothing out the volume of skirts when she looked at me with her bottom lip caught between her teeth.
“If you haven’t figured out already, I’m not great with words.”
She released her lip and smiled. “You don’t say.”
“I think you look very…sufficient.”
“You can do better than that, Ford.” She frowned.
I squeezed my fists and on a whoosh of breath said, “You take my breath away every time I look at you.” I gently shut the door and jogged around to the driver’s side.
I started the car and pulled into the street without a glance in her direction.
After a few minutes, she relaxed back against the seat. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
* * *
