Finding Isadora(62)

“The nature of their disability, if and how the program cuts affect them, sources of income and support, and so on. Gabriel did up a list of questions and guidelines.”

Gabriel. Always Gabriel.

Glancing out the door to make sure no-one was in earshot, I said, “That’s great news about Alyssa’s mother coming out of the coma. It sounds like she’s going to recover quite well?”

“It’ll be slow, but they think she’ll be fine in the end.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“It surely is.”

We exchanged smiles of relief. “Did you make it to the hospital to see her?”

“Jimmy Lee and I went in last night. Cassie’s a sweetie. She’s had a hard time of it, though. Alyssa’s father has never been around for them. Mind you, Cassie got pregnant when they were dating and they hadn’t made a serious commitment to each other, so I suppose—”

“Grace,” I broke in. “What did she say about Alyssa?”

“Oh. Well, it’s fine with her.”

I ground my teeth. My mom had a habit of going on for ages about inconsequential matters, and then, when it came to the critical stuff, clamming up. “You explained who Jimmy Lee is? That’s he’s been charged with arson?”

“And the fact he didn’t do it,” Grace said with asperity. “Yes, we told her everything. She believes Jimmy Lee. She understands that protesting against cruelty to animals is not the same thing as setting fire to a building. Incidentally, she’s been disturbed about the practices at Cosmystiques, but it was the best job she could find and she needs the money.”

“So she agreed you and Jimmy Lee can take care of Alyssa until she’s able to go home?”

Grace nodded. “We’re taking Alyssa to the hospital tonight to visit her. We didn’t want to do it last night because we didn’t know what kind of shape Cassie was in. But she doesn’t look too bad, and we’ve explained to Alyssa about the tubes and monitors.”

“Alyssa will sure be relieved to see her mom, and vice versa.” I paused then said, “Please tell me you’ve talked to Gabriel about this.”

“Yes,” Grace said, surprising me. “This morning. I told him everything. He cussed a blue streak, then said we were damn lucky how things turned out. He figures it’ll look good for Jimmy Lee, having the victim trust him with her daughter.”

I left her to her phone calls and, over the next hour or so, checked on Alyssa and Britt between appointments. Alyssa was in seventh heaven and Britt gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, though she said, “Need to get Alyssa a kid-sized pair of leather gloves. She’s fearless, and almost got scratched.”

“The kitty didn’t mean it,” Alyssa asserted. “He was just scared, and feeling sick.”

“Most of the animals here are scared and sick,” I told her, “so you have to be careful how you approach them. Watch Britt. She’s learned from experience.”

I went back to my own work, but kept an eye on the time. Grace had told me she and Alyssa needed to leave by five thirty, so, when that time was approaching, I went to tell her. My mom was morally opposed to keeping track of time, so relied on others to do it for her.

“Alyssa’s doing great,” I assured her.

She stretched back in her chair. “So she’s welcome to come back?”

“Any time. She has a natural affinity for animals. But could you remind her to be careful?”

“Careful?”

“Apparently she almost got in the way of a cat’s claws. She needs to understand that animals can be dangerous. Often they don’t intend to hurt, it’s just an instinct to strike out, especially when they’re hurting or scared.”

Grace nodded soberly. “People too, unfortunately. You’re right, Isadora, I’ll make sure she understands. About people too, not just animals.”

I smiled at her. “I remember you and Jimmy Lee teaching me that same thing when I was a kid. You didn’t want me to walk around in fear, but you did tell me to be careful.”

“Judgment is something that develops as you get older. Kids can be so trusting.”

And here I tended to think of Grace as a bit too naive and trusting herself. Yet I did remember the lessons she’d taught me and the care she’d always taken of me, particularly when there were strangers in the house. Maybe I’d misinterpreted my mother’s openness and empathy for naivety. After all, I knew Grace was anything but stupid. Impulsively, I reached down and hugged her shoulders. “You’re a good mother, Grace.”

“Well, thanks, hon. I appreciate your saying so.” Grace gave a little laugh. “More than that, I appreciate your believing it. Most parents try really hard, and it seems most kids end up in therapy whining about their rotten parents.”

Guiltily I thought of the number of times Richard and I had shared complaints about our parents.

“You’ll be a good mother too, Isadora,” Grace said.

“I sure hope so.” If I ever sorted out my emotional quandary.

Perceptive Grace stood up and touched my cheek. “What’s wrong, hon?”

“You know I love Richard.”

She didn’t answer immediately, then said, “I know you’ve said so.”