her mom is. She’s staying with her grandparents. While you’re away, I’ll be staying with mine.”
The situations of the two girls weren’t exactly mirror images. Joanna was on her way to take a course that would help her be a better police officer, Jorge Grijalva was in jail, charged with murdering his former wife. Jenny’s surviving grandparents had just enjoyed a companionable meal with one another. Ceci Grijalva’s maternal grandparents had refused to allow Juanita Grijalva to attend her own daughter-in-law’s funeral. But Joanna didn’t mention any of that to Jenny.
“You’re right,” she said simply. “You have a lot in common.”
“Could we go see her?”
“Who?”
“Ceci. Next weekend when I come up for Thanksgiving?”
Joanna was carrying her purse and keys. Jenny was carrying Juanita Grijalva’s envelope. As far as Joanna could see, it hadn’t been opened. Joanna found herself wondering if Jenny had been hanging around the living room eavesdropping while Joanna had been talking to Juanita.
“Why would you want to do that?” Joanna asked guardedly.
Jenny shrugged. “Almost everyone else in Mrs. Lassiter’s class has two parents. There are two kids whose parents are divorced. I’m the only one whose dad is dead.”
“So?”
“At Daddy’s funeral, everybody said how sorry they were and that they knew how I felt. But they didn’t, not really. They weren’t nine years old when their fathers died. If I tell Ceci I know how she feels, it’ll be for real, ‘cause she’s nine years old and so am I. Maybe if I tell her that, it’ll make her feel better.”
They had reached the truck by then. Joanna wrenched open the door and tossed both her purse and Juanita’s envelope into the car. Now she leaned down and pulled Jenny toward her, grasping her in a tight hug while a sudden gust of wind blew a whisp of Jenny’s long, smooth hair across Joanna’s cheek.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re one special kid?” Joanna asked, holding Jenny at arm’s length so she could look the child in the eye.
“Daddy did sometimes,” Jenny answered wistfully.
“He was right,” Joanna said. “You’re right to be
“Like going to Baskin-Robbins?” Jenny asked.
“Just like,” Joanna said with a fond smile. Joanna had spent days and nights agonizing in advance about this leave-taking. Now the moment came and went with unexpected ease and without a single tear. “I’ll miss you, Mommy,” Jenny said hugging Joanna one last time. “I’ll miss you, but I’ll be good. I promise. Girl Scout’s honor.”
“I’ll be good, too,” Joanna replied.
“Promise?”
“I promise. I’ll see you Wednesday night.”
Jenny stepped away from Joanna’s grasp. “What’s the name of the place we’re stay’ again?”
“The Hohokam Resort Hotel.”
“Does it have a swimming pool?”
“It’s supposed to.”
