Chapter 23

We were both brown-skinned and our strawberry-blond hair had turned a nice shade of wheat. We were officially beach bums. “You bored?” I asked Fay, walking into the living room. She was drawing. “Who’s this?” I looked at the four people she’d colored.

“Me, Mom, you, and Dayton.”

“Why’s my hair so big?”

“You have a big head.” She laughed and lifted the picture up to me. “It’s for you.”

“Well, Mr. Big Head thanks you kindly.” I sat down by her. “Do you want to go to the beach today?”

Her eyes widened and she clapped. That was definitely a yes.

“I’ll check with your mom and we’ll make some sandwiches.” I called up Elsie, watching Fay run up and down my apartment.

“Everything okay?” Elsie answered.

“Yeah, her boyfriend just picked her up. They said something about Vegas.”

“Very funny.”

I told Elsie about my plans and she was thrilled. The shop was quiet, and so we talked awhile as I put lunch together.