Page 47 of Living for Truth
“It’s okay, Dad. I’m not mad you brought her here.” Aly crosses her arms in front of her like she’s trying to hug herself.
“Are you sure? Because I can take her home right now and come back for you.”
She shakes her head, and her bottom lip wobbles.
I curse under my breath, kneel in front of my baby girl, and pull her into me. “I’m so, so sorry, Bub. Do you want to tell me what happened?”
Aly takes a calming breath but still stutters as she explains what happened. She and Alice were walking around Old Navy when Aly heard someone who sounded like Whitney walking by. Aly turned and recognized her and called out, “Mom?” Whitney, who was on the phone, stopped, turned around, looked at Aly, and then turned back around, walking out of the store. Aly tried to follow after her but got stopped by a store employee concerned about a child being alone.
“I texted her, too, and asked her why she ignored me, but she didn’t respond.” Aly angrily wipes away the tears on her cheeks. “I just don’t understand why. Why wouldn’t she even say hello to me?”
“I don’t know, Aly. I wish I could give you a better explanation, but some people just do mean things. Maybe she has a good reason, but only she knows the answer to that. Dwelling on the what-ifs can just hurt us more.”
Aly nods. “I don’t think I want to talk about it anymore. I told Aunt Al not to call you because I didn’t want to be a bother, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“I’m glad she called. You could never be a bother, Bub.”
“Does Hannah hate me because I ruined your date?” she whispers, looking down at her feet.
“Not at all. Hannah understands you’re my priority. She was worried you would be upset she came along with me.”
“I’m not. I don’t know her yet, but she’s pretty. She seems nice. And she makes you smile more than you havebefore.” She pauses to think for a second. “Is she going to hang out with us for the rest of the day?”
“Well,” I say carefully. “I was going to ask if that was okay with you? I thought maybe we could go get some food from Joy Luck and watch some movies at our house. We have to stop by the shop first to show Hannah the apartment above it, to see if she wants to live there. Would that be okay?”
Aly’s eyes light up at the mention of her favorite Chinese food restaurant, and she nods enthusiastically. “That sounds good. Do you think Hannah likesScooby-Doo?” Aly found a bunch of my old DVDs, and myScooby-Doocollection is pretty extensive. She’s been hooked ever since.
“There’s only one way to find out. Let’s go find her before Aunt Al tells her all of my embarrassing stories.” Aly leads the way as we walk down the hall and to the kitchen where Alice is talking with Hannah.
“If you want someone to go with, let me know! I’m pretty free during the summer,” Alice says, and I wonder what the hell they’re talking about. “Oh hi, Morgy. I was just telling Hannah about the size inclusive thrift store in Salt Lake. She’s never heard of Thrift Plus, can you believe it?”
“I’ll have to check it out,” Hannah says with a genuine smile, and a warmth spreads through my veins seeing her bonding with one of my sisters. If she gets along with Alice, I’m sure she’ll get along great with Sarah and Olivia, too.
“Not everyone is as obsessed with thrifting as you are, Alice.” I turn to Hannah and place a hand on her lower back. “Ready to go check out the apartment?”
“What apartment?” Alice asks.
“Hannah might move into the apartment above the shop,” Aly explains. “Can we get going soon? I’m getting hungry.”
Alice’s mouth forms an “o,” and she nods in understanding. “If you need help cleaning the place, you let us know. The Fowler Crew has mastered the art of swift and efficient cleaning.”
Hannah’s smile is more nervous now but no less grateful. “Thank you, Alice. I’ll be sure to let you know if I need help. And I might take you up on that thrifting company. It was so nice to meet you.” Hannah holds out her hand to shake Alice’s, but Alice scoffs and rounds the counter instead.
“We hug in this family,” she says as she wraps her arms around Hannah and squeezes. “It was lovely to meet you, Hannah. I look forward to seeing you again.”
Alice lets her go and turns to hug Aly. “Bye, girlfriend. I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
Aly mumbles against Alice’s chest, “Love you, too, Aunt Alice.”
“Bye, baby brother!” She hugs me and whispers just loud enough for me to hear, “Wrap it before you tap it.” I push her off of me—gently—and she cackles. The menace.
“Goodbye, Al. Thank you for watching out for my girl.”
Alice watches us hop in the car, then waves us off as we drive away—a family tradition for whatever reason.
“Alright. Quick stop at the flower shop, and then we’ll order from Joy Luck. Hannah, do you likeScooby-Doo?”
“Ilove Scooby-Doo.It’s one of my favorite childhood shows. Why?”
