The Naked Truth(18)

Hailey ran over and handed Abigail a flower.

“Thank you.”

“Can we get a garden like this at our house?” Hailey asked.

“We’re in an apartment, honey. That’s a little hard. Maybe a flower box on the deck.”

Hailey sat down next to her. “I don’t want to leave. Can we stay here? Do you think Mr. Josh would let us?”

Abigail smiled. Mr. Josh would certainly let them stay forever if they wanted. And the more Abigail thought about it, the more she wanted to stay as well. However, she knew this couldn’t be a magical fairy tale for them. Although she was no longer angry with Josh for putting her out of a job. In fact, he’d given her an excuse to leave a world she no longer wished to be a part of. Deep down she knew if they went back to their home, her heart would still be here.

Looking over at Hailey, who was picking the petals off the flowers she’d just gathered, she knew her daughter would be sad if they left. Abigail took a deep breath and decided she would wait to see how this talk went before making any big decisions.

“Here are my two favorite ladies,” Josh said as he approached them.

“I’m starving, Mr. Josh. I hope whatever you have in there is good.”

“How does a BLT sound?”

Hailey shrugged. “I don’t know. What is it?”

Josh laughed. “It’s a sandwich with B for bacon, L for lettuce, and T for tomato.”

“I’ll take a BT then.”

Abigail laughed. “Okay, sweetie.”

Josh sat down on the blanket that Abigail had brought out with her. He set the basket in the middle and looked over at Abigail. She knew he was nervous, because she was too. Hailey’s life was about to change. She had never really asked about her father. Only once at a school function had she asked. Abigail had frozen but hadn’t gone into detail. She knew that would come later. She’d simply explained that Hailey had been a gift from God to her. And that had satisfied her for the time being.

Abigail removed the sandwiches from the basket. She opened her daughter’s and removed the lettuce before handing it to her. Hailey took a big bite of the sandwich. “I like it.”

“It’s my favorite sandwich,” Josh told her. “My mom used to make them for me all the time.”

“Does she still?” Hailey asked.

He shook his head. “Not anymore. She’s in Heaven now.”

Abigail reached out, rubbing his arm. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Josh reached into his back pocket and removed a photo. He handed it to Hailey. Abigail leaned next to her and peered at the picture. “Are these them?”

“Yes.”

Abigail stared at the face of his mother and swore she was looking at Hailey. The resemblance was striking. “What were their names?”

He cleared his throat. “My dad’s name was Phillip and my mother’s,” he paused and took a deep breath, “my mom’s name was Hailey.”

Abigail thought her heart stopped beating. Tears built up in her eyes and began to spill out. She couldn’t believe her daughter shared the same name as her grandmother. And that it hadn’t been planned.

“Mommy, why are you crying? Do you not like that his mom had my name? Because, you know, a little girl in the room next to mine at school is called Hailey too and I didn’t cry.”

Abigail laughed. “That’s why I am.”

“That’s silly.”

Abigail reached out, pulled Hailey into her lap, and looked at Josh. He nodded, knowing what she was about to do.

“Hailey, sweetie, Mr. Josh and I have something to tell you.”

Josh moved closer as well but didn’t say anything.

“Tell me.”

“You know how you went to take that test with Mr. Josh?”

Hailey’s head moved up and down as she took another bite of her sandwich.

“Well, sweetie, Mr. Josh is someone very special to you.” The tears started again. Josh handed her a napkin, but before she could take it, he wiped away her tears.

“Who are you?” Hailey asked him.

Abigail nodded this time, letting him know he could go ahead and tell her.

“I’m your dad.”

“Really?”

Abigail squeezed her daughter’s shoulders. “Yes, he is.”

Hailey set her food down and then left Abigail’s lap. She took a few steps and plopped herself in Josh’s lap. “I’ve always wanted a daddy. I’m glad it’s you.”

Abigail smiled and her heart melted. Josh reached out and tugged her to him, wrapping his arm around her as well. She laid her head against him.

“Do you have any questions?” Abigail asked.

“Do we get to live here?”