Page 13 of Reckoning

“Here you go. Snickerdoodles and cold apple juice,” she said.

“Thank you, Mama. You make the best cookies,” Tate said, and handed one to Briar.

Briar looked up at Tate’s mother. “Thank you. I like snickerdoodles.”

Lilith smiled and brushed back a loose curl from the corner of Briar’s eye.

“So do I, sugar. Do you need me to help open your juice box?” Lilith asked.

“No, Mama, I will do it for her. I’m keepin’ my eye on you for Daddy. You go rest. I always open Briar’s milk and juice boxes for her,” Tate said, and brushed off a spot on the quilt for Briar to sit.

Briar nodded. “Always,” she said.

Lilith sighed. Yet another thing she didn’t know about the utter trust they had in each other.

Tate sat down beside Briar, and as soon as both juice boxes were open and the straws inserted, Tate gave Briar her box and then lifted his own in the air. “Now we need to make some toast,” he said.

“But we already have a cookie. I don’t need any toast,” Briar said.

Tate frowned. “No, we have to bump our juice boxes together and make a wish. That’s how grown-ups make toast.”

“Oh…okay,” Briar said. “I wish you were always my best friend.”

“I already am. It’s a rule,” Tate said.

The juice boxes thumped.

Lilith didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she walked back to the porch and resumed her seat.

Their idea of making toast and forever friends was a funny, precious thing to have witnessed.

* * *

Abel had just made the last lap around the yard and was putting up his mower when Roger Lowe arrived.

Abel waved at him from the garage and then came out to greet him.

“Come inside where it’s cool,” Abel said. “The kids are out back playing. Lilith is watching them.”

Roger swiped a shaky hand across his face as they entered the house. Without asking, Abel got a cold root beer from the fridge and gave it to Roger.

He took a quick drink and then sat, cradling the cold bottle between his hands.

“Well, it’s over. My wife officially has a rap sheet. She was convicted of assault and sentenced to a year on parole, and the judge issued a restraining order against her on Lilith’s behalf. One false move and she finishes out her sentence in prison,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough for watching Briar for me. You are good people, and I am ashamed of the damage my wife has caused you all.” He dropped his head. “I had no idea it was happening. None.”

Abel nodded. “Neither did I, until it was too late. I think Lilith is going to be okay. The doctor was cautious. She had one last visit. They ran some cognitive tests. I hope that will be that.”

Roger nodded and took another drink. “Again, bless you both for looking after my little girl. If you’ll let her know I’m here, we’ll get out of your hair.”

“They’re out back. Follow me,” Abel said.

They walked through the house and then out onto the porch. Lilith saw them, then put a finger to her lips to indicate quiet and pointed.

Briar had fallen asleep on the quilt and Tate was sitting beside her, calmly waving a giant leaf from Lilith’s elephant-ear plant back and forth over her to keep away the gnats and flies.

“Well, good lord,” Roger whispered.

Lilith nodded. “They’ve been playing hard. She’s such a sweetheart, and welcome here any time.”