or swallowed feelings. It made him want to bring all the shadowy parts of her into the light. He’d had this odd certainty that she needed it, like she was a plant that could do with re-potting and a sprinkle of water. But it turned out that she didn’t need that at all, from him or anyone, because she had no trouble shining with Zach.
Which would teach Nate to think about adults the way he thought about his kids.
Nate lowered the camera and called, “Josh. Beth. Come over here, please.” For once, they did as he asked. Reluctantly, sure, but he’d take what he could get.
When they drew closer, Nate crouched down in the grass and put a hand on both their shoulders. “Okay; you remember I said someone would start living with us soon, to watch you guys while I’m not here?”
They stared like beady-eyed birds, which he decided to take as a yes.
“Do you also remember the lady we bumped into in the meadow that one night? The one who gave you marshmallows?”
“Yeeeees,” Beth sighed. “That was only the other day, Dad.”
And Josh, taking his cue from his older sister, echoed, “Yeaaaah, Daddy.” He tried to roll his eyes, but it looked more like he was being momentarily possessed.
Nate bit back a smile. He didn’t want to disrupt the gravity of their disdain. “Right. Well, she’s here, and her name is Hannah, and we’re gonna go and say hello to her. Very politely. Okay?”
“Okay,” Beth huffed.
Josh bit his lip.
“She’s really nice,” Nate said. “I promise. Look, she’s just over there. She’s your Uncle Zach’s friend.”
Both kids turned to stare at Hannah, who was currently saying hi to Shirley. Hopefully the fact that she was standing by their idol and hero, Cool Uncle Zach, giver of sweets and toys, would get Hannah points.
Nate straightened and led his kids over the grass. His heart swelled when he felt first Josh, and then Beth, take his hand, their palms soft and plump and sweaty. Never got old.
Hannah smiled as they approached, all soft and closed-lipped and oddly sweet. Her lipstick was kind of red today, kind of orange. Like she’d painted her mouth with pure heat. “Hello,” she said, all her focus on the kids.
“Hannah,” he said, “this is Beth and Josh. Kids, this is Hannah. Say hello.”
Beth did a little wiggle on the spot, which meant she was nervous. But she still lifted her chin and said, “Hello Hannah.” He squeezed her hand and smiled down at her—and, miracle of miracles, she actually smiled back, sticking her tongue through the hole left by her missing front tooth.
Then he heard Josh say hello too, just like his sister. Always, just like his sister.
And then Hannah shocked Nate completely by kneeling down on the grass in her pristine white skirt. She folded her hands on her lap, posture perfect as always, and said, “Your grandmother tells me that the two of you have a very important secret.” Her voice dropped to a whisper on secret in a way that somehow seemed perfectly natural and genuine. Her expression was grave, lips pursed, brows slightly raised.
Both kids leaned toward her. “Secret?” Beth echoed.
Hannah nodded, looking at one child, then the other, very slowly. Somehow, the same earthy gaze that tore people down so effortlessly became a spotlight, a round of applause, and a gold star, all at once. She looked so thoroughly interested in the kids, he could see them blooming before her like flowers before the sun.
“She says,” Hannah murmured, “that you have a top-secret recipe for the best apple smoothies in the world. Is that true? Or is she mistaken?”
“It’s true!” Josh whispered back.
Beth glared at him. “Shh!” Then, looking at Hannah, she muttered. “It’s not a secret. It’s just leaves.”
Hannah cocked her head to the side. Just like she used to, in class, when she was listening. She nodded toward the swing, where his mum was watching them all with a smile on her face. “If it’s not a secret, will you show me how you did it? You see, I would like to make someone as happy as you made your grandmother.”
Beth blinked. She puffed up her cheeks. Then she shrugged and said, “If you reeeally want…”
That space was supposed to be filled by more eager requests, but Hannah simply sat back and watched, pure interest all over her face.
And finally, Beth said, “Okay. Okay. You can come and look.”
Hannah smiled. “Wonderful.” Then she stood, far too gracefully in his