‘How’s things with Dad?’ asked Alexia out of the blue.
Carlotta pretended to reel back. ‘Jesus, straight into it, huh?’ she laughed.
‘Well, I have to ask. Dad has it bad for you,’ said Alexia as she sipped her drink.
‘Things are fine, it’s just that my life is a little crazy right now, so it’s a bit high drama, you know? Not a normal start to a relationship,’ said Carlotta carefully.
‘Drama comes with life, I’ve worked out,’ said Alexia wisely.
‘How did you get so smart?’ asked Carlotta.
Alexia patted the wheels of her chair. ‘Life in this teaches you a few things about what to worry about and what to let go of.’
‘No doubt,’ said Carlotta. ‘Can I ask? Do you remember the accident?’
‘Not really. I remember the hospital though. Dad was amazing.’
‘I bet,’ said Carlotta, smiling.
‘No really, he was there night and day and stayed with me through all the awful things and never once lied to me. When I asked him if Mom was dead he told me, and when I asked if I would be able to walk he told me. They are shitty things to have to tell a kid.’
Carlotta nodded, thinking what a terrible time Alexia and Chris had been handed.
Alexia played with the straw in her drink. ‘He never lies to me. Never. He is the most truthful person I know.’
‘He is good like that,’ said Carlotta, thinking of Chris’s truth telling to her.
‘Think about it though. Dad lost his wife, his kid is in a wheelchair, and he had to sit in a hospital every day. It must have been terrible for him. I think about it sometimes and can’t even imagine it.’
‘You are a smart cookie.’
‘I know.’
They sat quietly.
‘Hey, Dad said you might help me buy a dress for my prom,’ said Alexia, blushing.
‘Of course! Although I’m not really the fashionista in my family, my sister Violetta is. But if you want me to help, I can ask her to recommend a few stores and designers.’
‘Would you? Dad is great at most things but shopping with him is embarrassing.’
‘Sure, when is it? This prom?’
‘February.’
Carlotta smiled. ‘Who’s your date?’
Alexia looked down at the table and Carlotta saw her cheeks turn scarlet. ‘Will Buckland.’
‘Is he nice?’ Carlotta suddenly felt herself become protective of this lovely child.
‘Yes, he’s so nice. Whenever I see him I get butterflies. I have liked him for about a year. I think he thought I was retarded when he saw the chair and he used to ignore me but this year we have a few classes together and we ended up sitting together. He broke his leg skiing and so we were stuck on the sidelines of some sports and activities and we just started to talk. Now we talk online most nights and text. He lives nearby. I have promised I will take him riding one day,’ she babbled.
Carlotta smiled at her joy. ‘Then I like him already.’
‘I really like him. He asked me to the prom via text. I think he was too embarrassed to ask face to face.’
‘Ah text message, the last great romantic gesture.’
