GNELFS Read Free Page B

opportunity to be more grown-up, but she was known to complain of discomfort and attempt to subvert the belt by loosening it until there was enough slack to provide freedom of movement. That freedom might also send her crashing through the window if a sudden stop was necessary, Gab frequently reminded herself.
    Today Heaven was content as they rattled off tunes from the album they'd ordered from the ad on "Nickelodeon." The day was bright and clear with golden sunshine, and for the first time in several months Gabrielle allowed herself to wonder about happiness. Maybe she really was getting things back together. She was going out, doing something that interested her, which was a change from the way things had been lately. She'd devoted most of her attention to her job and to Heaven with little thought to other activities.
    Her devotion to Heaven was complete and without question, but it couldn't be good for either of them to hibernate. She didn't want Heaven growing up a recluse.
    ~*~
    Katrina lived in a quiet residential section which consisted mostly of small brick houses with neatly trimmed lawns. Once upon a time it might have been a neighborhood which would not have welcomed African Americans, but at least in this part of town that sort of thing was in the past.
    No FOR SALE signs had sprung up when they'd moved in, Katrina had observed. Her husband had a job with the city and wore business suits most of the time. She sometimes speculated that that and their quiet habits kept many of their neighbors content. "Maybe we'll have a domestic argument and throw a few pots and pans just so they won't be disappointed," she said once. 'Then they can say, 'Well, it's colored folk.' "
    Harris, her husband, was working in the front yard when Gab pulled into the driveway. He had traded in his suit for jeans and a polo shirt that morning, but she felt there was no concealing the fact that he was an accountant.
    "So you're going to hear the mystery writer speak?" he said as Gab helped Heaven from the car and they pulled some of her toys from the front seat.
    "That's right."
    "We'll take good care of Heaven," he said. "It's such a pretty day we thought we'd grill hot dogs outside." He squatted in front of the little girl so that he could look into her face. "Does that sound good?"
    "Yes," she said, smiling and chewing on the finger tucked in the corner of her mouth.
    "Say hello to Mr. Johnson," Gabrielle urged.
    "Hello."
    They walked to the front steps and Harris opened the door for them.
    The children were in the living room, watching television. Carl Matthew, who was six, and a miniature version of his father sans beard, sat on the floor with an assortment of toys spread around him. Seeing the visitors, he got up and stood slightly behind his father, peering around Harris's legs curiously. He recognized the visitors, but he was uncomfortable, a bit shy it seemed.
    Matissa , the baby, was smearing crayons across the pages of a coloring book. She looked up proudly from her work, her smile revealing gums through which teeth were just beginning to make their way.
    Katrina walked into the room, drying her hands on a dish towel, and also offered Heaven a bright smile. "Hi, honey."
    "Hi, Miss K'tina ," Heaven said, still chewing on the finger. She was a bit flustered by the attention, and she rarely said Katrina's name successfully.
    "We're gonna have a good time today," Katrina said. "It's Saturday. We can watch cartoons and play. Does that sound like fun?"
    "Uh-huh."
    "Yes, ma'am," Gabrielle reminded her.
    "I'm sorry."
    Katrina winked at Heaven. "It's okay."
    Gab handed over the toys they'd brought along. "You won’t hesitate to call if…?"
    "It's all going to be fine,” Katrina said. “You go have as much fun as you can, listening to a literary reading."
    Gabrielle smiled. "I'm just trying to get out a little."
    "Be good for you. Hustle or you gonna be late."
    Pausing only to bend and give Heaven a final kiss and warn her to behave,