I held her face. “Nothing bad. Baby, I just thought-“
I could not finish.
That evening we went to the town event.
The woman officer understood anyway. “You expected the worst.”
I laughed through tears. “That has usually been a safe bet.”
Lila hugged me. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For scaring you.”
I kissed her forehead. “You made pie. This one is not on you.”
That evening we went to the town event.
When they called Lila up, she froze.
I didn’t want to. Crowds make me tense. Public praise makes me suspicious. It reminds me of people who only care how things look.
But Lila stood in our hallway in the only nice dress she had and said, “Will you come up there with me if I get scared?”
So I said yes.
The room was packed. Residents from the nursing home. Their families. Volunteers. People from town.
Arthur was there in his navy cardigan.
When they called Lila up, she froze.
I whispered, “Go on.”
Arthur took the microphone with both hands.
She whispered back, “I hate this.”
“I know. Keep walking.”
Arthur took the microphone with both hands.