“Like dancing?”
“Like dancing.And crabbing and trying new hobbies.”
“Will you be dancing with Simon?”
“Yes.He asked me to go with him to the dance, so I’ll probably dance with him.”She remembered their conversation on the ferry.The one where she had sworn she wouldn’t be dating any time soon.She shouldn’t have said yes.
“So you’re going on a date?Sally said it was a date.”
“I guess it is.Do you think I should cancel?I’ll cancel if it worries you.”
“I already told you.If you go on a date, it should be with someone nice like Simon.He’s fun.And he makes you happy.”
The tightness in her chest dissipated.Riley was right.Simon did make her happy.Being with him reminded her of another version of herself.A version she liked.
She picked up the phone.“I’m going to phone for an appointment at the place down the street.Then we can play a game or go for a walk or something.”
“Can I come?”
“You’re a little young to be getting your nails done.”
“I know, but Sally says we’re going out for dinner, so I thought… maybe just this once?”
She looked up at Sarah, who quickly calculated how much of a hassle it would be to say no.And was there a reason to say no?She thought of all the fun things Graham had done with Riley over the past year—visiting the science center, the aquarium, taking her to see an ice show when she was in town.She wanted to have fun too.
“I’ll see if I can get us both an appointment after work on Thursday or Friday,” she said.
“Can Sally come too?”Riley looked up at Sarah under her eyelashes, with that expression that said she expected her to say yes.
“I don’t know if Simon would want Sally to get her nails done.He might think she’s too young.”
“We could ask,” said Riley.
“We could,” Sarah said, thinking that what had started out as a treat for herself was now becoming a production.
“Please, Mom?Her mom isn’t around to take her to these things.”
Sarah thought of Sally.The girl was sweet, and in the time she had known her, she was becoming quite fond of her.Taking her with them would be a small thing, and though it might interfere with their mother–daughter time, it could provide a lot of joy for Sally.
“Do you think she would even want to get her nails done?”
“I could ask.”
“How about I ask Simon what he thinks?Then we can ask Sally if he says yes.I don’t want him to feel like we’re ganging up on him.”
Riley nodded, a soft, knowing smile on her lips.What was she up to?
Sarah dialed Simon’s number and soon arranged to have Sally join them.
“I can pick up some Chinese food on the way back,” she added after he agreed.“My turn to bring supper, I think.”
She smiled to herself after hanging up and phoned to arrange an appointment for Friday after work.
Once the appointment was confirmed, Riley bounced her chair.“Thanks, Mom.I’m going to go and play with Dash now.”
Sarah watched her daughter scamper happily out of the room and thought she should probably tackle the housework she’d planned to do.Then she noticed the book she’d taken with her on the ferry the day before.Instead, she picked it up, poured herself a glass of iced tea, and padded out to the deck to read.
Housework could wait.For now she wanted to find out who was chasing the main character in the story, and why.
