Annie crawled into the bed and snuggled up to her. As they lay curled together in the pre-dawn light, Suzanna retold the stories Gregg had told of the festival. She’d just finished explaining the games of chance and saying how it just might be possible for him to win her a doll or a stuffed toy when Annie cut in.
“You know, Mama, I think Mister Gregg is ready. Can I ask him to be my daddy?”
Suzanna was dumfounded. Years earlier she’d told Annie that the man who was her father wasn’t ready to be a daddy, so he’d run off.
“Don’t worry,” she’d said then. “I’ll love you twice as much as most mamas love their babies to make up for him not being here.”
There’d never been any further discussion about it, until now.
“Why on earth would you ask that?” she said. “Gregg is a really good friend, but you know he’s not your—”
“Yes, I know,” Annie replied. “But he likes me and he does nice things like Lois’s daddy, so I think maybe he wants to be…”
“Forget about it. You can’t just pick somebody to be your daddy. Relationships are complicated and way beyond your understanding. For now, let’s be glad we’ve got such a good friend.” She started to tickle Annie. “And don’t you dare mention a silly thing like this to anyone else, or I’ll tickle you to death.”
That afternoon the four of them walked up and down the festival aisles admiring the multitude of crafts on display, sampling foods, and trying their hand at games of chance. After a half-dozen attempts, Gregg finally sunk three baskets in a row and won the stuffed dog Annie wanted. Before the day was out, she’d been on every ride at the festival, taken three pony rides, petted a mama hog, laughed at the dogs in frilly dresses, and consumed enough hot dogs, pizza, candy apples, ice cream, and soda to last her for a month. When her little legs grew too tired to walk, Gregg lifted her onto his shoulder and carried her back to the car.
At that moment, Suzanna wished she had a camera. The sight of Annie with her arms hooked around Gregg’s neck and her head leaned against the back of his was one she would keep in her mind forever. Years from now, when the festival was nothing but a distant memory, she knew she would be able to call this picture to mind and once again see the weary smile on Annie’s face and the dangling shoelace that had come untied. She’d remember the plaid of Gregg’s shirt and think of how his back was straight and strong as he carried Annie. And there in the background, she’d hear the fading sound of calliope music as they left the festival behind. There would be no forgetting this perfect day.
Later on, after Annie and Ida were both sound asleep, they settled in the living room. It was the time of year when the evenings turned cool and the wind came in gusts, scattering dry leaves across the walkway. Gregg carried an armful of logs in and stacked them in the fireplace. His curls were windblown and his cheeks pink.
“This is a good night for a fire,” he said and lit the kindling.
Instead of turning on the television as she usually did, Suzanna took the bottle of brandy from the cupboard and poured them both a drink.
“A perfect end to a perfect day.”
She touched her glass to his then, without lowering her eyes, took a sip. The amber liquid was warm in her throat and comforting in her chest. It was the shot of courage she needed.
After months of holding back and worrying that this physical attraction was too much too soon, Suzanna was ready to let go. She wanted to move beyond the quick hugs and goodnight kisses on the landing. She wanted to know if this was a friendship or something more, something that could blossom into the kind of love she’d felt for Bobby. She eased back into the cushions of the sofa and lazily tilted her head back. It was an invitation for him to kiss her, not in the casual way he had before, but full on the mouth.
He smiled then leaned over her, his breath warm on her cheek, his forehead grazing hers. She closed her eyes and felt the gentle brush of his lips against her ear.
“I’ve wanted to do this since the day we met,” he whispered then he brought his mouth to hers, and in that singular moment all her doubts fell away. The kiss was long and sweet, a promise of all that was yet to come.
That night the eleventh hour came and went, but Suzanna made no mention of an early morning and neither did Gregg. As he trailed a line of kisses along her neck and spoke of a future together, she knew every last trace of Suzanna was gone. Although she could not say how or when it happened, Darla Jean Parker had let down her guard and fallen in love with this stranger from Pennsylvania.
Earl
Piney Acres Problems
THE DAY AFTER HE’D GOTTEN Bobby Doherty’s address from Pauline, Earl called the bowling alley and said he’d need to take a few days off. A family emergency, he claimed. He figured he’d do as he did with Pauline: stake the place out in Piney Acres, watch who was coming and going, and get the lay of the land before making his move.
If Bobby was working a day job, getting Suzanna alone would be a piece of cake. Earl could wait until the guy was out of the house, then show up on the doorstep with a bouquet of flowers. He might even swing by the drugstore and pick up one of those stuffed toys for Annie. Him having something for the kid was sure to squelch any doubts Suzanna had.
Earl tossed
