Page 15 of Sherry and Sunflowers
She couldn't read the smile on his face as he said, "I think I'd have to disagree with you there. And when I open that door, you'll see exactly what I mean. Dad doesn't mind in the least. And if Zia stays with him, I get the impression that she'll be just as happy to keep playing." He met her gaze. "But I didn't want to put you on the spot. I wanted to give you fair warning before you go in there."
"Of what?" she asked, confused.
"I think the best thing I can do is show you," he said, with a look on his face that was almost a smirk. "If you really want tobring her, we'll have to pull her out of there quick and clean her up as best we can."
"Reaves, what's going on?"
"Nothing bad, I promise. Here, I'll show you." With that, he pushed the door open and motioned for her to go in ahead of him.
The moment she stepped into the room, Alara understood completely. The sight of Zia rolling around on a huge sheet of paper, spreading glitter everywhere, Charles sitting next to her, looking like some kind of bedazzled wizard... she got it. There was no way she'd be able to get Zia cleaned up enough in time to go.
"Mommy, look, we're making the biggest glitter picture ever," Zia declared. "Grandpa Grape might even let me hang it on his wall when we're finished."
Reaves let out a strangled sound beside her, and Alara couldn't keep the smile off her face when Charles said, "I didn't make any promises, young lady. And I believe this will end up being averylarge picture."
"I know," said Zia, patting his hand. "But perhaps we can cut out the good parts and just hang those in your study. Especially your butterfly."
Charles gave Alara a rueful smile. "I apologize, my dear. It appears I was a little reckless this morning. It was thoughtless of me."
She held his gaze, knowing exactly what he'd done. There was nothing reckless about his actions, and rather than thoughtless,he was being incredibly thoughtful. She didn't see any point in playing along with the charade.
"I understand, Charles. And I think we both know that you don't need to apologize. And I need to thank you."
His expression gentled. "I didn't mean to be manipulative."
"I know that. And you weren't. I appreciate it."
Her gaze landed on Zia, who was now literally rolling back and forth on the paper.
"Do you want to play, Mom?"
"I can't, Z. I have that appointment to go to this morning, remember?"
"Oh, yeah, that's right." Zia sat up and pushed her hair off her face before rubbing her fists to her eyes. When she was done, even her face sparkled. "I can get ready now, if we have to go."
"Would you like to stay here with Grandpa Grape?"
Zia tilted her head to the side and blinked a couple of times. Alara knew her daughter. She was assessing the reason for the question. She was already certain of her answer.
"Will you be okay without me?"
"I will. I'll be fine. As long as I know that you're having fun."
Zia grinned at Charles. "We're having the most fun that two people could ever have with a bucket of glitter. Isn't that right, Grandpa Grape?"
Charles chuckled. "I believe so."
"In that case…" Alara glanced back at Reaves, and he nodded encouragingly. "I guess we'll go then."
"We'll be fine," Charles assured her.
She glanced at Zia again, but she was already preoccupied, drawing what looked to be butterfly wings around a patch of glitter on the paper.
"I'll see you later then, Z."
"Bye, Mom." She murmured the words without even looking up.
Alara watched her for a few moments before turning to leave. It was hard sometimes. The more independent her daughter became, the prouder Alara was of her, and the more reassured that she was raising her well. At the same time, walking away from Charles’s study, she felt more alone than she ever had.
