Page 18 of A Heart of Little Faith
Their joyful noise floated around him like the wind chimes on his mother’s front porch. For a moment, he wished things were different. He leaned forward and imagined dancing with them—the hard pavement firm beneath his feet, Claire’s soft hands in his, Lily’s graceful arm around his neck, the supple ripple of her muscles as he guided her along. He smelled the mingled scents of Claire’s shampoo and Lily’s perfume beneath his nose as he imagined burying his nose into Lily’s hair, and twirling Claire above his head.
A distant car horn jolted him back to reality and he leaned back with a sigh.I never would have appreciated this then. Not one to dwell on what couldn’t be, he concentrated on maneuvering around the people on the sidewalk as the three of them approached the ice cream store. Once there, Claire ordered strawberry, Gideon ordered chocolate and Lily ordered super chocolate deluxe.
“Enough chocolate for you there, Lil?” he asked as he paid the cashier.
“Never.” Lily grinned wickedly. Then her eyes flickered as he replaced his wallet. “Wait, you’re not paying!”
“I already did.” His lungs expanded and peace settled over him.
“But…”
“But nothing. It’s just ice cream. Let it be.” His deep voice, though quiet, was authoritative, and Lily relented.
“Okay. Thank you.” Her smile made him glad he’d suggested this outing.
They exited the store and entered one of the city’s vest pocket parks, hidden alcoves between buildings that were open to the public, if they knew where to look. Inside the gate it was peaceful, so tranquil you could almost forget you were in a major metropolitan city. Behind the intricate wrought iron gates, a wall fountain burbled. Underneath the fountain, a small garden planted with yellow and purple pansies swayed in the breeze, their sweet perfume drifting out to the sidewalk. Two oak trees shaded two stone benches. The three sat and ate their ice cream without speaking.
“How’s your ice cream, Claire?” asked Lily, finally. She spooned the last of hers into her mouth. His body heated as she licked the spoon and he shifted in his chair, imagining what else she could do with her tongue.
“Good, but I wish you’d let me get a cone.”
“Maybe next time.” Lily wiped her mouth with her napkin.
Claire grumbled, but before she could argue, Gideon interjected, needing a distraction.
“Hey, Claire, Samantha showed me a drawing you made her. It’s hanging on her refrigerator and it’s really good. Maybe you’ll make me one? My refrigerator is getting kind of lonely.”
Claire giggled. “Your refrigerator isn’t lonely, Gideon. It’s not a person.”
“I know, silly. But I’m telling you, it’s lonely. Empty. Bare. Blank. I think you’re the perfect person to draw a picture for it.”
“Well, I’ll make you a picture, but I still don’t believe you.” Claire finished her ice cream and stood up. “Mommy, can Gideon come home with us and play Trouble?”
Warmth flooded his chest at Claire’s obvious excitement and he clenched his fist waiting for Lily’s response. Maybe she didn’t want to spend more time together, maybe she had things to do, maybe…
“That would be lovely,” she said. Her smile lit her face and Gideon swallowed. “If you’re free, Gideon.”
He cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t be too excited if I were you,” he said, leading them out of the park.
“Why not?” Claire raced in front of him and stopped. Gideon grabbed his brake and jerked his chair to a halt.
“Because I am going to win.” He raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“Oh no you’re not! You never win.”
He raised an eyebrow, enjoying their banter. “Well, I’ve been practicing and I’m definitely going to beat you.”
“Nuh uh.” Claire stuck her tongue out at him and skipped backward toward the apartment.
“Uh huh,” answered Gideon, sticking his tongue out at her.
“I don’t know which one of you is worse,” Lily cried in mock exasperation.
Claire and Gideon laughed conspiratorially, and he realized how much he enjoyed being with them.
****
Gideon and Claire sat in the living room while Lily went into the kitchen to check the answering machine.