Finding Isadora(81)

“Can’t you hire me now?” she said eagerly. “This is way more fun than school.”

I chuckled. “You need school. That’s where you’ll learn all the things you have to know so you can give the animals the very best care, and help them get well.”

Head tilted to one side, she studied me skeptically, then finally nodded. Grudgingly. “I guess.”

The three of us said goodbye to Betty at the reception desk, and headed out of the clinic. “Are we bussing?” I asked. My parents drove no more than absolutely necessary.

“No, I brought the van.” Grace led the way down the street to the beat-up old vehicle they’d had converted to a hybrid.

As Alyssa and I waited for Grace to unlock the door, the girl grinned up at me. “I like your earrings, Izzie.”

I flicked one of the parrots. “Thanks, so do I. Jimmy Lee gave them to me.” I took one out of my ear and handed it to her so she could examine the painted wood more closely. Then, after a quick glance at the tiny gold studs that told me her own ears were pierced, I unhooked the other one and handed it over, too. “They’d look good on you. Why don’t you take them?”

“Really!” Her dark eyes gleamed with excitement, then she said quickly, “No, I shouldn’t.” Clearly, she was dying to be persuaded.

“Sure you should. They’re my way of thanking you for helping out at the clinic.”

Easily convinced, Alyssa said, “I want to put them on now.” She reached up and yanked at one of her own studs.

I caught her hand. “Wait until we get home. We’ll clean the wires to make sure they don’t infect your ears.”

The girl huffed out an impatient sigh and I knew I’d been classified as a fussy adult. Grace shot me a grin and said, “Come on, you two. Climb in.”

When we reached the apartment, Jimmy Lee wasn’t home. “You girls go do your thing with the earrings,” my mother said, “and I’ll put away the groceries. But then I want you both in the kitchen to help with dinner.”

Alyssa and I hustled off to the bathroom and soon the parrots were flying from her small ears, a perfect accent to her dark skin and curly black hair.

My own ears weren’t used to being naked and, feeling rash, I reached into my bag and took out the earrings Gabriel had given me. When I put them on, I saw that the cat’s eyes brought out the mauve in my own.

“Cool, Izzie,” Alyssa said, “but I like mine better.” She flicked her head back and forth, making the parrots toss dizzily.

“Kitchen help?” my mother yelled.

Alyssa and I, caught in the act of admiring our own reflections, both started guiltily. She slanted me a grin that was surprisingly adult, said, “Oops!” then scampered off and I followed.

As the three of us got to work, Grace said, “Alyssa’s been to the hospital a couple of times to see her mother.”

“She says she feels okay,” the girl said doubtfully, “but she doesn’t look very good and her voice is all croaky. Mommy never gets sick.”

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave Alyssa a quick hug. “It’s not really like she got sick. She was in a fire, and when she was trying to get out, something fell and knocked her down.” I’d heard the whole story. Cassie had a broken arm, cracked ribs, and a skull fracture, plus she’d suffered from smoke inhalation.

“She’s doing very well,” Grace said, “but I’m afraid it’s going to be a while before she’s back to her old self.”

“How long will they keep her in the hospital?” I asked as I started to grate asiago cheese.

“Only a couple more days,” Grace said.

How on earth was Cassie McKenzie going to manage? But I didn’t want to ask the question in front of Alyssa.

“Mommy’s going to come here and live with us,” Alyssa announced.

“What?” I nearly grated my knuckles instead of the cheese.

“We’re going to give her my bed,” Alyssa said importantly, “and I’ll have a sleeping bag on the floor so I can stay with her.”

I closed my eyes briefly, then asked the inevitable question. “Does Gabriel know about this?”

“Well, I’m sure—” Grace broke off at the sound of the front door opening. “There’s your father.” Raising her voice, she called, “Hey, hon, we’re in the kitchen.”

“Got enough for one more?” Jimmy Lee called back, and my pulse jumped. I stared down at the cheese and told myself it wouldn’t be Gabriel.

Two sets of footsteps came closer.

I discovered I was holding my breath.

Then Grace said, “Gabriel! How good to see you. Of course we have enough food.”

I let my breath out and swallowed hard. Then, finally, I forced myself to raise my eyes.

He stood in the kitchen doorway, staring at me. Gabriel, in jeans and a charcoal gray shirt with the neck unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up. Gabriel, looking so good he robbed me of what little breath I had left.

“Isadora,” he said softly. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” His eyes flicked to my ears and his lips curved.

“It was a last minute thing,” I said just as Jimmy Lee gave me a hug and said, “Hey, kid, nice surprise.”