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She clears her throat then continues after a moment, “That being said, he is only one person, and he is doing the best he can. Anyway, what is the video you wanted to show me?”
I nod and quickly take my phone out, hoping the video will make her smile and cheer her up. She takes my phone and watches it, a genuine smile on her face.
“Cute,” she remarks, “She’s growing up so fast. I still remember when she was just a tiny baby.”
Jane hands my phone back.
“Do you have any pictures of her at that age?” I ask, “The ones around the house all seem to be more recent.”
“I don’t,” she grabs her phone, “but I’ll call Logan and ask! Siri, call Logan.”
She puts the call on speaker, and I listen as it rings. At each ring, I just thank God that she called from her phone and not mine.
“What do you want, Jane?” Mr. Bardin answers, his voice tired and impatient.
“Wow, is that the way to greet your only sister?” Jane laughs in silence, knowing she’s poking the bear.
“Jane, I’m a busy person,” he begs for freedom. “Is it important?”
“It is!” Jane says, and now I’m the one giggling.
“Joyce is here with Anna. We want to know if you’re okay with us enrolling Anna in some art classes. She seemed to like what she saw.”
He scoffs, “I told you before, she’s too young to take it seriously!”
“She doesn’t have to take it seriously, Mr. Bardin,” I say in my most humble tone. “She just needs to have fun!”
“Anna!” Jane calls her over. “Come tell your father you want to take art classes!”
Anna comes running over and holds on to the phone to speak, “Daddy, I want to doahtclasses!”
And then a miracle happens: I hear Mr. Bardin startlaughing. Shocked by the sound, I barely hear his next request.
“Let me speak to Joyce,” he says.
“Well, you’re on speaker,” Jane says.
“No, I want to speak toher,not to all of you.”
“Oh. Okay!” Jane takes the call off speaker and hands me the phone.
“Hello, Mr. Bardin,” I say, forcing a smile. Even though he was laughing a moment ago, I’m still worried that I may get scolded.
“Hello, Joyce,” he says, very serious, “What gave you the idea to take Anna out like this?”
“Um,” I stir in place, “did I do something bad?”
I hear him sigh, “A little. You should have told Mary first. You were supposed to be home an hour ago.”
“Oh, my God. I forgot. I’m sorry!” I feel terrible and am almost choking on my own tears.
“It’s okay,” Mr. Bardin says, in his forever impatient tone. “In fact, I think this all ended up being a good thing. Now take her home.”
“I will, Mr. Bardin,” I say.
I keep replaying in my mind how he had said that what I did ended up being a good thing, and I can’t stop smiling as I drive Anna home.
Chapter Four
