Page 44 of Sugar and Skulls

Bill leads us up the stairs and to a room at the end of the hall. This place looks more like a hotel than a warehouse. He opens the door. The space is warm and cozy.

“I’ve saved this room for you for years. It’s kind of surreal you’re finally here,” he says, walking over and pulling the curtains back. “I always thought you might like a room with a view of the lake. Maybe tomorrow we can go fishing or something?”

Katie lets go of me and hesitantly makes her way to the window. My dad stands perfectly still as she approaches him. I see a smile form on her face through the reflection in the glass. “Pretty isn’t it?” my dad says.

He points to something outside. “See that wooden dock over there?” he asks.

She nods.

“That’s my favorite fishing spot. I could sit there all day. Have you fished before?”

Katie looks up at him. “No, but it sounds fun,” she whispers.

He smiles kindly. “Well, why don’t you and Jesse get some sleep and then tomorrow after breakfast we will head down there.”

She nods her eyes going back to the lake. A look of longing on her face.

My dad comes to stand by me. He points to a door. “There’s a bathroom right there. I had one of the women pick up a few things I thought you both might need, she left it all in there. I’ll leave you two to get settled. My room is right next door if you need anything.”

“Dan is on his way. He’s bringing my bag,” I say, biting my bottom lip nervously.

“I’ll have him bring it up when he comes.” He opens the door to leave.

“That’s okay. I’ll come find you after I get her settled.”

His eyes go to Katie and then settle back on me. “I’ll be right next door, Jesse.”

I drop my head and nod. The door closes quietly behind him.

Once my dad leaves Katie goes back to her chatty self. “I can’t wait to go fishing tomorrow,” she says to the glass. I dump the trash bag out on the bed to find something she can change into for bed. She comes and sits down on the edge with me.

“I grabbed a few things out of your bedroom. If you need anything else maybe we can go shopping tomorrow.” I watch her out the corner of my eye for any signs of distress as I sort through her things.

She latches onto the teddy bear and hugs it to her chest. “You brought Cricket,” she says.

“Is that his name?”

“Yeah, I named him Cricket because he makes me feel the way the crickets do. I like the sound they make at night.”

My throat tightens. “I think I know what you mean. I’ve always liked the way trees sound in the wind. They make me feel warm right here.” I press my hand against my chest.

She nods and buries her face into the teddy bear.

I find a t-shirt and a pair of shorts that look soft. “Why don’t you take a bath and then I’ll tuck you in for the night.”

“Are you going to sleep with me?” Her eyes roam up the bed.

“If that’s okay with you. If not I’ll sleep on the floor and you can have the bed.”

She shakes her head no. “I want to sleep here with you,” she pats the bed.

I turn a few lights on in the room as dusk turns to dark over the lake. I pull the curtains closed after one yearning look from myself then we head to the bathroom. Inside we find a large clawfoot tub. Katie gets in and lays down giggling. “It’s so big” She stretches her arms over her head to show me just how big it is. I laugh with her, happy that she is happy.

On the counter are bags and bags of stuff. I find a big pink bottle of bubbles. “You want a bubble bath?” I ask.

Her head bops up from inside the tub. “Yes!” She scrambles out and starts stripping out of her dirty clothes.

I busy myself filling the tub as she climbs in. She scoops up a big handful of the bubbles that are piling up around her. She blows on them sending them into the air. I leave her to play in the tub while I finish unpacking the rest of the supplies. Everything a girl or woman might need.

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