Little Lies

Chapter 6: Time with Mama

Mama could do unexpected things.

I watched the morning goodbyes from the bottom step of the staircase. Aunt Fran and Mama stood at the front door as Papa and Uncle Philip left for work.

"Goodbye, dear." Uncle Phil kissed Aunt Fran on the cheek. "I'm glad to see you have a sweater on. That classroom is drafty."

"I promise to stay warm, dear." Aunt Fran kissed him quickly on the mouth. "I'll see you at dinner."

Mama's mouth was a thin line for a brief second.

"Your mama doesn't like Uncle Phil to pay attention to Aunt Fran," Alice whispered to me.

Papa kissed Mama on the forehead. "We may be a little late this evening, darling. Call me if you have any trouble with Clara."

Mama kissed Papa on the cheek. "I thought I'd take Clara to town with me today. She'll be too tired to do anything but fall asleep when we get home.”

Papa raised an eyebrow. "What a surprise! I hope the two of you have a good time together."

"I would love to spend time with you and Clara," Aunt Fran said, "But this morning I'm attending my pastels class. Maybe we can meet for lunch."

"Oh, don't rush around on our account, Franny. We'll just meet you at home."

After Papa, Uncle Phil, and Aunt Fran left, Mama walked over to me. "Darling, how would you like to go to the park today?"

I smiled. "Ok."

"And put a sweater on, just in case."

I ran upstairs.

Alice floated up beside me. "She's up to something, Clara."

"I know. But I won't know what it is unless I go with her."

Mama and I were soon in the car. Mama's hair was in a braid down her back, and she was wearing a scarf, large sunglasses, a bulky sweater, black pants, and a pair of loafers.

"Mama, do you have a cold?"

"Darling, why do you ask?"

"You usually don't dress like that."

"I thought it would be fun to dress down a little."

"Oh." I wasn't sure what that meant.

"Would you like to roll your window down?"

"No thank you, Mama. It's too cold." I looked out the window at the grey skies. "Why are we going to the park today? I thought you didn't like going there."

"I changed my mind. Just for today." She smiled at me. "Guess what I brought?"

"What?"

"Look in the bag."

I opened the bag. "Bread? We're going to feed the ducks?"

Mama turned the car into the parking lot. "That's right!”

I held her hand, and we walked through the park to the lake. Mama broke the bread into small pieces, and we threw it toward the lake. Soon we were surrounded by ducks.

A man in a black hat and long black coat approached us.

"Just a minute, Clara. I'll be right back," Mama said. She walked over to the man and spoke to him briefly, then she handed him an envelope. They shook hands, and he walked away.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Oh, it was just a man. He helps ladies with special things."

"What do you need help with? And why did you give him an envelope?"

"I gave him money to help me find a gold evening gown." She held out her hand. "Do you have any more of that bread?"