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“She’s not in the hospital. No one had a heart attack.”
“Then who is in the hospital? Someone is in the hospital. You said ‘which hospital.’”
“I—” Ella glanced at Michael and he shrugged. She knew he thought she should tell the truth, but Ella didn’t want to. How would she begin to explain her relationship with her mother to her daughter? She couldn’t even explain it to herself. “Someone we know—”
“What’s her name?”
“Gayle.” Ella swallowed. “Her name is Gayle.”
Michael gave a slow shake of his head and walked toward the fridge.
The answer wasn’t enough for Tab. “Is she your friend?”
“She—I—she’s someone—we know—”
The fridge door closed with a thump.
Ella didn’t look at Michael.
Tab wrinkled her nose, apparently enjoying this game of “detective.” “Is she Daddy’s friend, then?”
“No—he—” She wasn’t going there, she absolutely wasn’t. “Tab, I need to pack a bag.”
“Shall I make her a card? People who are sick like cards. I want to come. I want to see Aunty Sam.”
“You can’t, baby. Not this time. We’ll see her soon, I promise.”
“Christmas.”
“Definitely Christmas.”
“Twenty-four more sleeps. Santa and Aunty Sam.” Tab danced across the room, and Michael strolled back to Ella.
“I don’t want to stop you going if that’s what you want, honey, but I’m not going to pretend I’m happy about it.”
Tab reappeared. “I want to go with Mommy and meet her friend.”
First her husband and now her daughter. How had her life ever gotten this complicated?
Michael kissed Ella and then dropped to his haunches so he was eye to eye with his daughter. “If you go with Mommy, who will watch movies and eat popcorn with me?”
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Tab wavered. “Popcorn?”
“We could make it together. If you were here.”
“Which movie?”
Michael laughed and flashed Ella a smile. “Do you hear that? My little negotiator. Maybe she’s going to be a lawyer like her dad.”
“Don’t put that pressure on her! Maybe she’ll decide to work in an animal shelter, or join a ballet company, or even teach kindergarten.” She saw Michael’s eyebrows lift. “Sorry. Ignore me. Sensitive subject.”
“Of course Tab should do any job that makes her happy and fulfilled.” He gave Tab’s shoulder a squeeze and rose to his feet. “You and I are going to have a fun evening, Tabitha Melody Gray.”
“Can we play princesses before the movie?”
Michael’s expression didn’t falter. “Sure.” He thrust his hands in his pockets and looked at Tab. “I confess I don’t know how to play princesses. Am I the prince in this scenario? Do I rescue you from peril?”
