Fireworks in Paradise by Kathi Daley

Author:Kathi Daley [Daley, Kathi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: murder mystery, amateur sleuth, mystery series, holiday books, Henery Press, women sleuths, cozy mystery, book club picks, cozy mystery series, beach reads, Kathi Daley
Publisher: Henery Press
Published: 2017-10-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Sunday, July 2

The following morning, I sat Ashley and Gracie down to talk to them about what they would face at the hospital. Although Dad was doing better, he still had a long road ahead of him and the girls needed to understand that not only did he look different, he was weak and fragile and they’d need to be careful when interacting with him.

“I need to discuss a few things with you before we go see Papa,” I said at breakfast.

“What kind of things?” Ashley asked as she buttered a piece of toast.

“You know he was injured in an accident. I’m afraid he has a lot of cuts, bruises, and broken bones that need to heal.”

“We need to be careful not to bump him or do anything to hurt him,” Ashley supplied.

“Exactly. I know you’ll want to hug him, but it might be best if you wait for that until he has a chance to heal.”

Neither sister replied.

I passed the raspberry jelly to Ashley before I continued. “I also want you to be prepared for the way he looks.”

“How does he look?” Gracie asked. “Does he look like a monster?”

I hesitated, searching for the words that would prepare them but not scare them. “I wouldn’t exactly say that, but he does look different. Remember when that kid in your class fell off his bike and had a puffy purple eye?”

“Yeah.” Gracie glanced at me with a look of disgust. “It was gross.”

“Well, Papa has a puffy purple eye that looks a little gross too, but we may not want to mention it to him.”

Gracie scrunched up her nose.

“Can we bring him a present?” Ashley asked after finishing off her glass of milk.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea. What do you have in mind?”

“We could make him a card,” Gracie suggested. “Maybe something with bears on it. Papa really likes bears. He told me once that they were his favorite animal.”

I smiled at Gracie. “I’m sure he would love that.”

“I was thinking more like a video game,” Ashley countered. “The handheld kind that he won’t have to hook up to a television. I’m not sure the hospital would let him do that.”

“I don’t think Papa is quite up to holding a video game just yet, but maybe we can bring him some flowers for his room.”

“And pants,” Gracie added. “They never give you pants when you’re in the hospital.”

Gracie had a point. Dad had a cast on one leg, but perhaps I could find an old pair of pajama bottoms and cut off one leg. It wouldn’t hurt to bring them along with his robe, some magazines, and the pillow from his bed.

I glanced at Gracie, who was frowning. She appeared to be deep in thought, as if she was working through a problem. “Something on your mind?”

“I was thinking about Papa and his accident. I’m glad Papa didn’t die when he crashed like Mom did. I would miss him so much.”

“Me too, sweetie.” I hugged Gracie as a tear slid down her cheek.

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