Little Lies

Chapter 2: Snake Eyes

Papa and Uncle Phil were talking, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. I climbed out of bed and pushed my bedroom door ajar. Then I jumped back into bed.

"And what's wrong with wanting it all?" Uncle Phil asked. His voice was deep and loud. It filled the house, just like him.

"For heaven's sake, Phil, why are you complaining?" Compared to Uncle Phil's voice, Papa's voice was so quiet that I could barely hear him, so I crawled out of bed and sat on the landing. "You're blessed with a beautiful wife, wealth, and abundant health. That's more than most men have."

"It's not enough!" Uncle Phil's voice rattled the pictures on my wall.

"And you're blessed with great passion." There was a tone in Papa's voice I didn't understand. "Let's make certain you didn't wake Clara up."

Papa and Uncle Phil's footsteps grew louder as they climbed the stairs. I jumped back into bed, rolled over on my side, and pretended to sleep.

"Please lower your voice after Clara goes to bed, Phil," Papa whispered at the top of the landing. "Her door is open again. And the pictures on her wall are askew."

"Maybe your house is haunted," Uncle Phil grumbled.

I buried my face in Mr. Teddy and grinned. Alice sat on top of my pillow and giggled.

Papa tiptoed into my bedroom. He pulled the blanket up and kissed me on the cheek. After he closed my door, the two men walked downstairs. I knew the conversation wasn't over. After the last step creaked, I returned to the landing.

Papa and Uncle Phil stood in the doorway to Papa's study, smoking their pipes.

Papa put his hand on Uncle Phil's arm. You're a good man, Phil, and I'm certain you'll work it all out. At any rate, we both have a long day at work tomorrow, so I'm going to bed. I recommend you do the same. Good night."

Uncle Phil blew a smoke ring. "Good night, Michael. I want to stay up a little longer and think things through."

"You do that, Phil." Papa walked down the hall towards his bedroom.

Phil smoked his pipe awhile. The smoke wafted up and tickled my nose. I closed my nostrils with my fingers and breathed through my mouth so that I wouldn't sneeze.

My eyes were starting to close when I heard familiar footsteps. Mama walked up to Uncle Phil. She hugged and kissed him like she was eating cake and ice cream.

Alice sat down next to me and made a face. I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Have you ever seen your mama kiss your papa like that?" Alice asked in a whisper.

I shook my head and frowned.

"Jo," Uncle Phil said softly. He stroked her hair.

"I don't know if I missed you more when you were in Europe or now that we're living in the same house,” Mama said. She unbuttoned his collar and tickled his neck.

I wrinkled my nose.

"It's difficult, having to pretend." Uncle Phil sighed. "But still, it's good to be here with you and Clara."

"I wish the charade was over." Mama unbuttoned several of his shirt buttons and played with the hairs on his chest.

Alice pretended to gag. I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh.

"We have to be patient. And we have to take it slowly."

"I wish we could do something. Anything."

"Have you considered a separation?"

"Michael has suggested it. More than once." Mama looked at the ground. When she looked at Uncle Phil, tears filled her eyes. "It would be so humiliating. What would everybody think?"

Uncle Phil blew a smoke ring and watched it dissipate. "Clara is quite a handful. Michael is the only one she listens to."

"She's definitely his daughter."

"And you should stop saying that."

Mama's face turned red.

Uncle Phil ignored her and tapped the bowl of his pipe. "Michael has to visit some customers out of town for a few weeks. Let's see if we can win her over."

"What if that doesn't work?"

"Clara may have to learn to live without Michael. Permanently."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see."

Mama smiled. Her eyes glinted in the light.

"Don't Mama's eyes look funny?" I whispered to Alice. "They look like ice cubes."

Alice nodded. "I've seen eyes like that before," she whispered.

"Where?"

"At the zoo. On a snake."

I shuddered. "I don't want to see any snakes at the zoo." I was silent a moment. "Alice, what do you think Uncle Phil means?"

"I don't know."