‘A book,’ said Carlotta quickly.
‘Right,’ said Alexia, and wheeled herself away, chuckling.
‘It’s like she’s the parent,’ whispered Carlotta to Chris.
They spent the evening talking with Alexia, eating pasta and watching a little bit of TV until Chris called for Alexia to go to bed.
‘Come on,’ he said, getting up.
Alexia moaned. ‘Dad.’
‘Yes, my child,’ he said in a silly voice.
Carlotta watched the easiness between them. It seemed so foreign to her compared to what she grew up with.
‘Come and say goodnight,’ said Alexia.
‘You sure?’ asked Carlotta.
‘Yeah, come on,’ said Alexia, as she pushed herself towards her room.
Carlotta entered the room after Chris and Alexia. The walls were covered with pictures of horses and pop stars that Carlotta didn’t recognise. There was no sign of Alexia’s disability except for a hospital bed that was reclined into a sitting position. Alexia wiggled herself to the edge of her seat and reached up her arms to her father. Chris bent down and picked her up easily. He put her on the bed and then swung her legs around and covered her with her bright red quilt.
‘Night, Dad,’ she said, as he kissed her forehead.
‘Night, darling.’
‘Do you see that Carlotta?’ said Alexia, pointing to the wall.
Carlotta walked over and looked at the picture of herself taking a jump on Amante.
‘Wow,’ said Carlotta, flattered.
‘I had that up there for about a year before I met you,’ said Alexia proudly.
‘I am very honoured,’ said Carlotta seriously.
Alexia smiled and held out her arms. ‘Night, Carlotta.’ When Carlotta walked over and kissed her cheek she heard Alexia whisper into her ear, ‘Be patient with Dad. He can be a fuckwit but he really, really likes you.’
Carlotta laughed and nodded.
‘What did she say?’ asked Chris.
‘Back off, nosy,’ said Carlotta.
Alexia burst into giggles. ‘Love it!’ Alexia said. ‘Night.’
‘Night,’ said Chris.
Carlotta and Chris closed the door, walked back into the lounge and sat down.
‘It’s shit, what has happened to her,’ said Carlotta, thinking about Alexia.
‘Better than not having her at all though,’ said Chris gravely.
‘I know.’
‘She does OK though. Never feels sorry for herself. Has been asked to the prom. So that’s my next thing, finding a dress with her. This is the sort of thing she misses, not having her mom, you know. That’s hard.’
