Pushing Up Daisies (17 page)

Daisy held the phone to her ear as Ms. Christine lectured. She’d called to borrow money so she could obtain a lawyer, but instead she’d been getting advice she hadn’t asked for.

“I know you mean well, Ma. But really, I don’t have much time. Will you and Dad loan me the money until I sell my Jeep?”

“Of course we will, but on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You have to promise me that you’ll let Lani stay where she’s at, that you won’t disrupt her life—”

“What do you mean,
disrupt?
”

“You know, tell her that you’re her real mother.”

Daisy was exasperated. “Look, Ma, if I don’t tell her, she’ll find out in court anyway, thanks to Calvin.”

“I’m not talking about Calvin. I’m concerned about what
you’ll
do.”

“Alright,” Daisy said, sighing heavily. “I’ll think about it.”

“Well,” Ms. Christine said, mimicking the sigh, “so will I. When you make your decision, I’ll make mine.”

D
aisy looked at the two remaining suits lying across the bed. For the life of her, she couldn’t decide which to wear. The blue one made her look like someone who meant business, but the yellow one made her appear too soft. She finally decided on the blue and hung the other one back in the closet.

She yawned. She needed a cup of coffee. An over-the-counter stimulant. An electric current to zap her awake. She’d been up all night, thinking about her options. She had no idea how she was going to get Jay back. All she knew was that she had to get her hands on two things: money and Jasper’s lawyer.

“Hey, you ready?” Gigi asked from the doorway.

“Yes, I am.”

“Okay. Ming Li said she’d be there in fifteen minutes. She persuaded the attorney to meet with her for an emergency consultation.”

Daisy grabbed her purse. “Did she imply that she had a lot of money? Did she make him think he could make a lot of money if he handled her?”

“I don’t know what she said, but whatever it was worked. Apparently, he canceled a meeting with one of his clients for her.”

“She hooked him.” Daisy nodded.

“Yes, she always gets the men.”

“Well, then I guess I have to reel him in.”

Gigi stood at the receptionist’s desk, first belting the woman with a barrage of questions, then making an appointment to cover for Daisy, who sneaked past.

“Hello, Kenneth,” Daisy said, barging into his office with a smile on her face.

The attorney jolted to his feet. “I’m sorry, Daisy, but I’m meeting with a client.” He gestured toward Ming Li.

Ming Li stood too. “No, I’m finished here. Thanks.” She turned her back to Kenneth, gave Daisy a wink, and walked out.

Daisy locked the door behind her. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the heavy, mahogany door and drank in the room. Expensive barrister bookcases. Custom wet bar. Suede furniture. A wall of windows. Small indications spoke volumes of his success or, at the very least, the money he’d been making off his clients.

“What can I help you with?” he asked, looking flustered.

Daisy removed a roll of twenties and threw it on his desk.
“Now
will you see me? It’s not much, but it’s all I can afford.”

“Daisy, I don’t understand—”

“Damn if you don’t, Kenneth! You wouldn’t even accept my calls after Jasper died. But I distinctly remember us eating at the same table before. You, Jasper, and I had dinner together how many times?” She waved her hand, indicating that she didn’t really want him to answer. “You can sit now. I’m not here to threaten you. I want an answer, that’s all.”

Kenneth sat down, fumbling with his tie. “Would you like a drink?”

“Social Services took Jay,” she said, ignoring the question.

Kenneth’s face was blank.

“Kenneth, don’t play lawyer with me. I know you know something, and I want to know what it is. Why did they take him? Furthermore, I want to know why Jasper left his son penniless. I know that you know that too, so don’t pretend that you don’t. You two were friends—not just business associates,” Daisy spat, ready to chew and spit him out like a stale piece of gum.

“Honestly, Daisy, I don’t know why they took Jay away. I can find out, of course. It’s not my field, but I’ll see what I can do. And about the money, I mentioned it to him when we were going over his will. He told me not to worry about it. That’s all I can say. You know I’m not at liberty to discuss his personal matters—”

“But he’s dead! The deceased don’t have
personal
anything.”

“Yes, he is. But I still must honor his wishes.” He picked up the roll of money and tucked it into his pocket. “Give me until after the holidays,” he added, then wrote on the back of his business card and handed it to Daisy. “Here’s my home number. If anything else happens between now and then—”

“Kenneth, I can’t wait a couple of weeks. I won’t!”

“That’s the best I can do,” he snapped.

Daisy slammed her hands on his desk and bore into him with her eyes. She hadn’t come to play games. Her glare seemed to cut him in half, split Kenneth in two like the Red Sea.

His expression softened. “No, you’re absolutely right.” He clicked on his intercom. “Nancy, can you find me the number of the contact I have over at Family Services?” He turned back to Daisy. “I’ll see if I can arrange for you to see him. Call me at home in a couple of hours. It may take a little while. It’s a lot of phone tag.”

Daisy sat on her suitcase while Gigi snapped it shut. Daisy had been devastated for the past few days.

“So, they still won’t let you see Jay?”

“No. Kenneth tried and tried. I didn’t believe him, until he let me listen to the message.”

“Well, maybe it’s good that you’re going home for the holidays. You’ll get to see Lani,” Gigi reminded her.

A faint smile came to Daisy’s face. “Yes, and I’m looking forward to it, although I know my visit’s going to cause turmoil.”

“You’re not going with the intention of starting something, are you?”

“No, but I know how my sister and mother can be when they get together. And I know my mother’s told Brea that I want Lani. Truthfully, I just want to see her, maybe brush her hair. I just want to be close to her. I’m tired of fighting. It’s all I’ve been doing since Jasper died.”

“I know.”

“The funny thing is, I wouldn’t have had to if I’d had a job, independence, money. I wouldn’t have had to struggle so much. I would’ve been able to provide a stable life and a comfortable home for Jay, and I would’ve had the money to hire an attorney immediately. I never realized what freedom independence provides.”

Gigi patted her on the back. “Have a good time, and go see your daughter.”

Daisy helped Ms. Christine set the dinner table, admiring the delicate bone and floral china, which had been passed down through the generations. Inhaling the fruity scent of the place, she felt warm. Her parents’ house had always smelled like apples. She smiled. It was good to be home.

Her father walked into the dining room. Daisy kissed him on the cheek. “Hi, Pop.” She ran her fingers over his graying hair.

“Wisdom. That’s all wisdom, baby,” he chuckled, and kissed her on the forehead. “It’s good to have you back.” He turned his attention to Ms. Christine. “Chris, have you talked to Brea and Phillip? He’s supposed to bring the beer. You know the fight’s on later.”

“No, but they’d better hurry. They’re bringing pumpkin pie.”

Daisy wrinkled her nose. “Pumpkin pie? We don’t eat pumpkin pie.”

Her parents laughed.

“We do today,” Ms. Christine said. “Lani made it. She watched a Thanksgiving special on TV, and now she’s convinced that we have to have one.”

“Lani made it?”

“Oh, yeah. Lani’s a little chef already. We can’t keep her out of the kitchen.”

“Wow,” Daisy breathed, realizing that she hardly knew anything about her daughter.

Mr. Parker stuffed tobacco in his old pipe.

“Oh, Dad…do you have to smoke in here?”

“We’re having smoked turkey, right? If the turkey can smoke, why can’t I?”

“It’s okay,” Ms. Christine said. “I don’t mind, really. He’ll just do it over there.” She pointed out the window toward the neighbor’s backyard.

Everyone laughed.

“Dai-sy,” Mr. Parker sang in his baritone voice. “Guess who’s coming to dinner.”

The room grew silent.

“I don’t know. Who?”

Ms. Christine shook her head.

“Seems like it’s not a secret around here. Guess I’m the only one who doesn’t know.”

Ms. Christine whistled and looked in the other direction.

“I don’t know,” Daisy said with a shrug. “I don’t know. I hope you don’t expect me to sit here and call out names. Tell me, Ma.”

The doorbell rang. Mr. Parker looked at his watch.

“Right on time. Always did like a fella who’s punctual.”

Fella?
“Ma, who’s Dad talking about?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you go answer it?”

Daisy opened the door to find Adonis standing there with flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. She stood motionless as he handed her the flowers.

“These are for you,” he murmured. He stole a kiss, then stepped inside the house. She shadowed him as he made a beeline to the dining room, as if he knew the layout of her parents’ house.

“And this is for you,” he said, handing the bottle to Ms. Christine.

Ms. Christine kissed him on the cheek. “Before you leave, baby, make sure you get the pecan pie I made for your mother.”

Adonis grinned. “Sure, Ma.”

Daisy stood in the doorway and watched in amazement.
Ma? He’s calling my mother Ma? When did they all become so friendly?

“How ya doin’, boy?” Mr. Parker asked.

“Fine. And yourself?”

“Not too bad.”

“Oh, I didn’t forget you either,” Adonis added. He reached into his coat pocket and slipped Mr. Parker a small purple-and-gold bag.

Mr. Parker held it up proudly. “Crown Royal, hunh? Oh, yeah…you’re trying to get on my good side. You know it’s my favorite. Are you staying for the game? Who’s your team?”

“Let them talk,” Ms. Christine said to Daisy. “Go in the kitchen and check on the food. And hand me those flowers so I can put them in some water.” Ms. Christine turned to the men again. “And you two go on outside and talk.”

Daisy cut her eyes at Ms. Christine. “I’ll be back to talk to you in a few, Ma.”

Ms. Christine laughed. “I just bet you will.”