She tipped her head to the side and glided to us, her lovelyrose-colored gown made of layers of diaphanous chiffon floating around her.
“Hello, my beautiful sister,” she repeated.
“Idina is going to take you to the park to paint today,” Ishared.
She turned her eyes to Idina and used them to smile.
Then she asked, “Can I talk toSattie?”
Idina started, but I focused more acutely on Maxine, becausewe’d had many alone times, but we’d never had a discussion.
“Milady, their lordships will be here—” Idina began gentlyto refuse her.
“I wish to talk to Sattie,” Maxine declared.
Oh boy.
I wasn’t sure I’d heard Maxie declare anything.
Idina and I exchanged a look.
“It’s all right,” I said to her.“We won’t be long.”
Idina nodded.
“Don’t forget your gloves and hat,” she bid as she left theroom.
She closed the door behind her.
I watched Maxine lean her tush against my dressing table,pick up an intricately shaped bottle, open the stopper and smell what wasinside.
“Maxie,” I called quietly.
She lifted her eyes to me.
Myeyes to me.
“You’re who I’m supposed to be.”
My heart squeezed and I froze.
“Momma is not my momma,” she continued.
Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.
“But she’s my momma.”
“Maxie—”
“You’re Maxie too.”
I reached out and touched her knee.“Honey.”
She put the bottle down, picked up my hand, and placed hersbeside it, examining it, and I knew, seeing they were exactly the same.
“Thank you for bringing Momma back.And giving me a sister.”Her eyes came to mine.“And Annie and Lorie and Mr.Popplewell.Also AuntieMary.She didn’t come see me very often, and then she stopped seeing me at all.Papa didn’t like her visiting me.He didn’t like anything about me.”
Gods.
