The Sign Painter by Davis Bunn

Author:Davis Bunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Books

CHAPTER 18

Amy found exquisite delight in the simple act of driving home. She parked in the lot’s far corner and rose from the Malibu, hoping her daughter felt better. There was no in-between with Kimmie. She recovered with a child’s amazing speed, though, and once well, she didn’t want to admit she had ever felt bad.

Kimmie squealed when she saw Amy through the open screen door and danced across the living room to announce, “Juanita is making my dolly a sparkly dress!”

Amy paid the woman and thanked her and then shut the door and let Kimmie show off the new hand-sewn dress and the restored good nature. Once back at their apartment, Amy said, “We’re doing something special for dinner.”

Kimmie grew still. “But Mommy, we had special yesterday.”

“I know. This is another special. My darling girl is all better.”

Kimmie remained concerned. “Is it too much money?”

“No, sweetheart.” Amy’s eyes had been burning quite often recently. “Mommy has a new job, remember?”

“With Mr. Bob.”

“That’s right.” She picked up Kimmie. “Now close your eyes.”

“But why?”

“Mommy has a surprise.”

“Is it a surprise for me?”

“For both of us. Are they shut?”

“I can’t see anything.”

“Okay.” Amy opened the front door and stepped outside. Kimmie giggled as the screen grazed her shoulder. Amy crossed the lot and said, “Okay, now open.”

Kimmie dropped her hands. “What is it, Mommy?”

“What do you see there in front of you?”

“A car.”

“Our car.”

“It’s ours? Really?” She started squirming. “Let me down!”

Amy did so and opened the rear passenger door to reveal a child’s car seat. “How about dinner at a drive-in?”

Kimmie stopped in the process of inspection and looked around. “Where’s the camper?”

“I traded it in.”

Kimmie’s young face was not made for frowns. “But why, Mommy?”

“We don’t need both, honey.” But her daughter’s face folded further, and tears started leaking. Amy knelt on the pavement. “Darling, do you miss the truck?”

“Oh, no. I hated it. But where will we live?”

“We have our new home, sweetheart.”

“What if we have to go back out there again?”

Amy resisted the urge to crush her daughter to her chest. “Mommy is going to do her best to make sure that doesn’t happen. Not ever again.”

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