forced. I never saw her wear it, but I did find it in the
forced. I never saw her wear it, but I did find it in the
garage a few years later, in the box of rags my dad used
for cleaning his cars.
I wasn't nine years old any longer. I wasn't even a teen in
too-thick eyeliner and a too-short skirt. I'd learned how to
dress and how to speak, but part of me would always be
my mother's daughter, at least in Stela's eyes.
'Oh, Paige, what a thoughtful gift.' Stela lifted out the box of paper and opened it to pul out the pen. She wiggled it
so the tiny tassel danced. 'Very pretty. Thank you.'
I let out a long, silent sigh. 'You're welcome.'
'Where do you find such pretty things?' Stela continued.
She turned to face her audience. 'Paige always finds the
prettiest things.'
That was it. Bels didn't ring, little birdies didn't fly around
on rainbow glitter wings. She'd said thank-you, and I
thought she meant it. That was al.
I stil managed to slip away before the party was over. My
dad caught me at the door. He insisted on hugging me.
'Thanks for coming.' I'm sure he meant it, too.
'Thanks for coming.' I'm sure he meant it, too.
I doubt there's anyone who does not have a complicated
relationship with his or her parents, so I'm not saying I'm
special or anything. Considering the circumstances of my
birth, I'm lucky to have any sort of relationship with my
dad. For the most part, at least, it's an honest relationship.
Except of course when honesty is too painful.
'Of course I'd come,' I told him. 'Why wouldn't I?'
'Of course you would,' my dad said. 'Wel, I'm glad you did. How's the new place?'
'It's great.' With his arm stil around me, I wanted to
squirm away. 'It's a very nice place.'
'And the new job?'
The job I'd had for almost six months didn't feel so new
anymore. 'It's great, too. I like my boss a lot.'
'Good. You're up on Union Deposit Road, right?'
'Progress,' I told him. 'Just off Progress.'
'Oh, right. Wel, hey, maybe I should swing by some day
'Oh, right. Wel, hey, maybe I should swing by some day
and take you to lunch at the Cracker Barrel, what do you
say?'
'Sure, Dad.' I smiled, not expecting him to ever folow
through. 'Just cal me.'
He kissed my cheek and hugged me again, making a show
of making me his daughter. It was nice, in that way we
both knew was shalow but served its purpose.
The moment I got in my car and the door to the house
shut, my every muscle relaxed. I blew out another series of
long, slow breaths and lifted my arms to let my pits air out.
I'd be sore tomorrow in places I hadn't realized I'd
