that… umm…” I wasn’t sure how to ask.
“It was my choice,” Birdie said, raising a perfectly plucked brow. “I called the shots and enjoyed the hell out of my profession. Died right after delivering the best BJ of my life. Went out at the top of my game.”
Birdie left me speechless as one of my dead squatters and speechless right now. I wasn’t about to judge the nutty woman who I’d grown to adore. She was who she was and clearly had no issue with it.
Neither did I.
“One more piece of advice before we get to the important stuff,” she said, leaning in close.
I was slightly terrified. I should have been.
“The best BJ technique I can pass on is to not ignore the balls. You grab that hot man of yours and suck on those balls like they were lollipops. It’ll blow his head right off—pun intended,” she said with a cackle as she bent over and slapped her leg.
“I’m sorry. What?” I wheezed out, blushing furiously knowing that, yet again, Gideon, Tim, Charlie and my dad were listening in on another discussion about Gideon’s junk.
“Honey, just take my advice and don’t be afraid of the balls.”
“I’m not afraid of the balls,” I said. “I think the balls are nice… and bally.”
Birdie looked at me like I was a bit crazy, which was the pot definitely calling the kettle black. However, I’d taken note of her advice.
“Alrighty,” she said. “Wanna tell you a few things, and then I need you to watch something that’s gonna be real painful for you, darlin’.”
“Okay,” I said, taking her outstretched hand and holding it tight. I felt a little light-headed and took a deep breath to calm myself. I needed to be focused and sharp. Too much was at stake.
“I knew your mama, honey, but not till I was dead,” Birdie told me. “Your mama was my Death Counselor.”
I was quiet and waited for more.
“I just loved your mama,” she said, reaching out and touching my nose. “You look just like her. You were an adorable child, and you turned into a beautiful and loving woman. Alana would be so proud.”
My eyes welled up with tears. “Thank you.”
“Welcome, Daisy,” she said. “So, your mama solved my issue right off. Honestly, I can’t even remember what it was.” She laughed and shook her head. “I was having such a fine time spending my days with your mama, I stuck around for a while. Didn’t know why… until I did.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, not quite following.
“I was there when your mama died,” she said softly. “Sad, sad day. I knew at that moment why I hadn’t moved on yet. Your mama helped me, and it was my turn to help her.”
“I need more details,” I told her, dreading hearing them, but knowing I had to. My words came tumbling out so fast I wasn’t even sure they made sense. “Was she murdered? Was it Clarissa? Did my mother trade her life for mine? Do you know where she is?”
“All in good time, sugar,” Birdie said sadly. “Close your eyes, little girl, and I will show you.”
“I’m scared,” I said.
“I know,” she answered. “Work through that. Your mama needs you now. A little fear is good. Keeps you on your toes.”
“Birdie?”
“Yes?”
“Will you please flip me off one last time?”
Birdie’s laugh echoed through the nothingness. The sound of it warmed my heart.
“With pleasure,” she said as she lifted her middle finger with gusto. “Close your eyes now, child. It’s time.”
Taking another deep breath, I did as I was told.
Pictures raced across my vision so quickly, I couldn’t make them out. As always, it was like an old, static-filled black-and-white TV screen was inside my head. Catching glimpses of my father’s home, I gasped.
I inhaled and exhaled slowly… and I watched.
I saw all the gold—gold fountain, gold and white floor tiles. The paintings—frescos on the ceilings. Angels. Violent Angels. Pale pink clouds. The house had seemed cold when I’d visited my father. When I observed it now, it felt warm and full of love.
A little girl raced across the room, screaming with laughter. She was being chased by her mother and father, who laughed with the child as she stopped in front of the fountain and began telling them a story about a princess who rode a pink donkey with ten legs. The father took the mother’s hand and gently pulled her to the floor so they could be a proper audience for their silly little girl.
I