touched her chin.
“We’ll never move again, honey. Unless it’s with Daddy. And that’s not going to happen. We have a whole big family here,” Talie said.
“But what if you’re afraid?” Darcie asked.
“I’ll just tell Daddy and he’ll make me feel safe,” Talie said.
“What if it’s Daddy you’re afraid of?” Darcie asked.
Talie sat back and regarded her daughter. “Are you afraid of Daddy?” Talie asked.
“No,” Darcie said, shaking her head firmly. “I’m not. But I know a secret you don’t know and you might be scared.”
“What’s your secret, Darcie?” Talie asked.
“Promise you won’t be scared?” Darcie asked, clearly bothered by whatever she knew that Talie didn’t.
Darcie glanced toward the bedroom door, then at her mama. She motioned her closer.
Talie leaned over so Darcie could whisper in her ear. “Promise?” Darcie whispered.
“Promise,” Talie answered.
“Daddy can turn into a Gorilla. And Uncle Lucas can turn into a Bear, and Uncle Richie is a big black cat. And Cristie says that her daddy is panther and her mama is wolf and she’s a panther, too.”
Talie smiled to herself and kissed Darcie’s cheek. She sat up and looked at her. “How do you know all this?”
“’Cause I saw them through my window,” she said, pointing at the window above her bed.
“You watched them?” Talie asked.
“Yes. When I first came here I was afraid when Daddy would leave me here to go out at night sometimes. He always asked somebody to stay with me, usually Ms. Constance. And I’d pretend to be asleep, and then I heard him talking outside behind the house and I peeked and I saw him turn into a Gorilla, and Uncle Lucas turn into a Bear. And then one time I saw Uncle Richie turn into a big black cat,” Darcie explained.
“He’s a black Panther,” Talie said.
“Okay. A black Panther.”
Talie nodded.
“How do you know what Uncle Richie is?” Darcie asked.
“Because Daddy already told me. I’ve seen his Gorilla. He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Talie asked.
Darcie smiled. “He’s so big! Even bigger than Daddy!”
“He is,” Talie agreed. “But, if you saw all this why weren’t you afraid?”
Darcie shrugged. “They are all nice to me. And I didn’t care what they did as long as they were nice to me. And I knew Daddy loved me.”
“He does, very much. And you’re right, it doesn’t matter what they can and can’t do. What matters is who they are in their hearts,” Talie said.
“Yeah! That’s what I meant,” Darcie said.
“You know this is a huge secret and we can’t tell anyone ever,” Talie said.
“I know. But I didn’t want to keep any secrets from you, Mama.”
“And I’m glad you didn’t. But I’m not afraid, and you shouldn’t be either. All it means is they are stronger, faster, and smarter and we are safer than any other mama and little girl in the world. Right?”
“Right!” Darcie said.
“What are we talking about in here?” Roman asked, walking in as though he hadn’t heard every word.
“About you,” Darcie said truthfully.
“So, you’ve figured out my secret?” Roman asked.
“Yes, sir,” Darcie answered.
“Then I only have one question,” he said.
“Okay,” Darcie said.
“Do you still love me anyway?” he asked, taking a seat beside Talie.
Darcie climbed out from beneath her covers. “I love you even more!” she said, wrapping her arms around Roman’s neck, then releasing him with one arm to include her mother in the hug.
“I love you, Darcie,” Roman said.
“I love you, too, Daddy,” Darcie answered. “Thank you for bringing Mama home.”
“Aw, I love you guys,” Talie said.
“Are ya’ll going to watch the magic movie?” Darcie asked slyly.
“Yes,” Talie said, putting her hands on her hips.
“Could I watch, too? Please? I promise I’ll get up on time,” she begged, batting her eyes at her mama and her daddy.
“It’s up to you,” Talie said to Roman.
“I can’t say no to you. Come on!” he said, turning around for her jump on his back.
“Yay!” Darcie cried, holding tight as Roman gave her a piggy back, or Gorilla back ride into the living room, where they shared popcorn, sipped on hot chocolate and enjoyed movie night, just like any other loving family.
~~~
Lazarus put the last of his clothes into his duffle, and slung the strap over his shoulder. He looked around the room he’d lived in for the last several months, then walked out of it, closing the door quietly behind himself.
When he got downstairs, he opened the door separating the upstairs lodging from the downstairs bar and let himself into the barroom.
Patch was there in his usual place behind the bar, getting things