Page 83
“Well, you can’t do anything about it now. Don’t let your dad ruin the day.” Cyrus patted me on the back and left to rejoin his parents in the air-conditioned tent.
He was right: there wasn’t shit I could do about Texas or my father this afternoon. Fancy and I hit the dance floor and performed the electric slide to Cameo’s “Candy.” Because it wasn’t a party until those two things happened.
Maple had been busy with her friends all afternoon, but I managed to get her attention. “Come here, let me tell you a secret.”
She flounced over in her party dress and pink glitter Converse sneakers. “What?”
Dropping to a squat, I said, “I love you.”
“That’s not a secret. Everyone knows you love me and Momma.” Said the little girl who was sporting Dial’s entire face.
“And Aunt Fancy, Uncle Cy, Uncle Eddy, Gramps, and Grand.”
“True, but you love me and Momma the most.”
“That’s ’cause your momma and you are my two favorite girls.”
“Not-so-secret secret… I love you too.”
“Are you having a good time?”
“The best.”
“And is being eight years old everything you thought it would be?
“Daddy, I’ve only been eight for three days.”
“Good point. I see you got your face painted.” I pointed to the flowers decorating her cheeks and forehead.
“Uncle Cyrus took me, and he painted his face too.”
“I’d love to see that.”
“And Uncle Eddy showed us how to arrange flowers. And Momma braided my hair real nice.” She spun around so I could see.
“We all came out to celebrate you because you’re important to us.”
“You have to say that. You’re my dad.”
“I second what your Daddy said.” Dial sauntered up with a glitter lemonade in hand. “You are special and one of a kind.”
“But I’m your mini me.”
“You are.” Dial ran her fingers over one of Maple’s braids.
Maple smiled at both of us. “You’re still sleeping over, right, Daddy?”
“Of course. I love an after-party,” I replied.
“There might be surprises.” She shimmied her shoulders.
“Don’t you go spoiling it.” Dial playfully pinched her.
“I’m not, but it’s gonna be fun.” Maple pretended to lock her mouth and toss away the key.
Dial checked her phone and said, “You have about forty-five minutes of party time left, so get to it.”
Maple gave us both hugs before running away.
