Turn Over

“I’m writing an article for the Lachlan website and we’ll also distribute it to some media outlets. I was hoping I could interview you again, if you don’t mind.” I realized how much of her time I had taken with the first two pieces I had written.

She tossed the kitchen towel on the corner and sat to join our doll dressing challenge. The clothes always stuck on the legs. Lindy’s face was balled up in concentration. Her tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth as she struggled to fasten the snaps.

“I guess that would be fine. He is doing me a favor. He said he’d pay for the move and have everything taken care of.”

“Really?” I laid the Barbie on the table so I could take a few notes.

“He’s even putting in a swimming platform for Lindy, but you probably know all that.”

I shook my head. “No, go on. What else did he say?”

It was as if I was peeling away layers of him. Discovering secrets about how he thought. How he conducted business. Only this time it wasn’t a calculated business deal, he was building something that mattered. The little girl sitting across the table from me would have a different life because of him. It made me smile.

“Oh, he’s going to add grills and a swing set and slide. I started thinking about it, and even though I’ll miss hearing the ocean when I wake up, this new site is going to be better for her. There’s even a family of cats. I know Lindy’s hoping they’ll stay, but I’m not so sure about that.”

We laughed. Shawna told me about her favorite memories from the Cove. We discussed the advantages of the new yard she would have. Somehow an hour passed by while we talked. I had successfully completed an entire Barbie fashion show, drank imaginary tea sprinkled with glitter, and worn a purple tiara.

Lindy and Shawna stood at the door to watch me leave. “You’ll have to come see us in the new neighborhood,” Shawna suggested.

“I definitely will. Two weeks, right?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks again for the interview.”

“Sure thing.”

I stood there in the sun, the heat pressing against my skin, and I didn’t want to walk away. Shawna wasn’t Hailey. And Lindy wasn’t Gracie, but when I was near them my family didn’t feel lost. I didn’t picture Hailey changing her hair color and using a fake name. I pictured this. A mother loving her daughter. Playing dolls, dishing out snacks, scolding her for dropping crackers on the floor.

I turned. “Hey, Shawna do you need any help packing before then?”

“Actually I could use a little help. I’m not about to let them hook up the trailer and pull it down the street without wrapping up my glasses and plates.”

“I could help with that,” I offered.

“That would be nice, but you don’t have to. I’m used to doing things on my own. I’ve learned the hard way not to count on people.” She waved her hands in the air. “I didn’t mean that about you.”

“I know.” Although, I didn’t know who had let her down other than Lindy’s father. I shook my head. “I want to. Or I could at least keep Lindy entertained while you do the packing.”

She sighed. “That would be huge. She is a full-time job.”

“Ok, how about next week? I can bring boxes and a bottle of wine. And maybe play-doh.”

“It’s a date.” Maybe it wasn’t fair, but it hurt less when I was near them. I could pretend somewhere someone was helping Hailey. For a day or only a moment maybe my sister didn’t feel so alone.

It felt good. Not being a reporter freed me from ethical shackles I always had to worry about.

“Bye.” I waved to the pair on the front stoop.

I tried to read his expression. His eyes were focused. His jaw clenched. I didn’t know if that was good or bad.

“So, what do you think?” I finally broke the silence with the question.

Mason turned to me. He held the pages in front of him, they hovered in between us. If he didn’t tell me what he thought of the article I was going to jump out of my skin.

“Just tell me. Is it what you wanted?”

The sun was starting to sink outside. I wanted to grab a bottle of wine from his fridge and sit on the balcony and talk about our first day working together. I wanted to tell him about my conversation with Mark and his HR department. I wanted to tell him how my car was making a funny noise when I drove back from the Cove. But most of all I wanted to thank him for giving me the job. But first, I had to know if he liked the damn article.