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“Your father was,” she said instead “Everyone loved being around him”
“I remeram, all my friends talked about him”
Dominique wanted to ask if they’d ever talked about her After all, having a fa But she held back the words, unexpectedly understanding this was not a moment about her
With that insight came the uncomfortable realization that her constant need for attention wasn’t about feeding an ego, but instead filling a void inside Silencing the cruel voice that whispered she was one false step away fro it all
“Want to go get a cup of coffee?” her daughter asked unexpectedly “Co”
“That sounds nice,” Doht help At least there would be more to talk about
Fivethe few blocks to the center of town Despite the fact that it was thethe perfect September weather
Several of the women they passed either waved to Chantal or called out her nairl of maybe six or seven ran over and irl whispered in her ear and then ran back to her mother
Chantal laughed, then turned to Do trees He’s on the chunky side and has trouble getting down, so I go out and rescue him”
“You climb a tree to rescue a cat?”
She nodded “He’s rarely grateful, but his owner is”
“You’re risking your neck for a cat?”
“That’s what I do I take care of people here”
“If there’s a fire”
“Not just fires We show up at car accidents, or if a kid gets stuck somewhere”
Dohter’s work “Aren’t there men who can do your job better?”
Chantal’s eyes turned icy “No There aren’t I’ood at what I do I work hard and I find the job rewarding”
Dominique sensed she’d made a misstep so you’re not coerous Wouldn’t you rather do so safer?”
“Not really”
“I just don’t understand”
“Hardly news”
They crossed the street As they walked by a hair salon, a woman rushed out She was in her twenties, with brown hair and brown eyes Not the least bit reht It must be difficult to be ordinary
Chantal stopped “Patience, hi”
“Hi yourself” The other woman handed over a book “I finished it and it’s as wonderful as I thought Very sexy These days I have to get uy always turns out to be one of the good ones”
Dohtly colored cover and an author’s nanize Chantal read ro for them to talk about, she told herself
“Patience, this is my mother Dominique—”
“Dixon,” Do “Dominique Dixon”
“Nice toher hand Her head tilted “How strange You rehter is crazy about ballet and she has several DVDs starring a beautiful ballerina who” She paused and laughed “I’ silly Never mind”
Chantal raised her eyebrows, as if waiting for Dominique to announce she was the beautiful star of those DVDs
“I’ve always been a fan of ballet,” Dominique said instead “Discipline for the soul and the body I hope she continues with it”
“Me, too But she’s nine Who knoill capture her attention toet back Eddie Carberry is getting a per with the curlers Nice to meet you Mrs Dixon”
“Call me Dominique”
Patience waved and ducked back into the building
Chantal pointed to the Starbucks across the street “When did you start going by Dixon?”
“I prefer it from time to time There’s no need for your friends to knoho I a she had just that second decided, but was pleased with her generosity
“You’re assu I haven’t told them who you are”
“Have you?”
“Not all of them”
They ordered their drinks, then took them outside to a free table Dominique was careful to sit out of the sun Laser treate never really went away
“I re for an autograph,” Do tinized me”
“You’re still beautiful, Mom”
Dominique picked up her coffee “I’ I’d heard that, of course, but never believed it You’reIt will still be here when you’reone comes and California falls into the ocean”
Chantal s toward each other, rather than away So we’re not at any risk of disappearing under water At least not from an earthquake”
“Good to know”
She put down her coffee and studied her daughter Chantal had decent skin and nice bone structure But her hair was a disaster, as were her clothes
“Do you ever wear makeup?”
Chantal’s expression tightened “This was great, Mother, but I have to go”
Dominique realized how her question had been interpreted “I wasn’t being critical I was just asking I wondered if not wearing it is a personal choice or because you don’t kno to apply it You could be quite attractive”
“In the right light?”
“Lighting can be a woman’s best friend I could show you a few tricks If you’re interested”
“Maybe another time”
Dominique sensed she’d made another hed heavily on her shoulders
“I’s to do,” she said at last “We’ll talk again later”
The relief in her daughter’s eyes was as painful as her eager escape Doht sunshine lasses The fake slass over her eyes hid the flood of tears she did her best to blink away
CHAPTER TEN
“SHE MAKES ME insane,” Charlie ranted before digging her fork into Kung Pao Beef on her plate “She shows up here, with no warning”
Clay sat across from her at her kitchen table and picked up his beer The roohts on and the curtains pulled
“Thisin Fool’s Gold?” he asked
“Either Both I’m not picky But she is She insulted my house, she practically clucked overabout et it I don’t want to I’ive birth to a ot me”
“Then she was lucky”
Charlie smiled at him “Good line You know, you’re more than a pretty face”
“Thank you I try”