by Paul Langan
Darcy smiled. Another secret was being washed away. “Good. Let’s go. ”
Together Darcy and Brisana walked around the outside of the building. As they turned toward the back entrance, Darcy heard the laughter and cheerful screams of children. Up ahead, a metal fence surrounded a small playground full of little kids. Several adults were watching them play. Darcy spotted Tarah immediately. She was leaning over, playing with a little boy next to a sandbox. He looked to be about three years old, Darcy thought.
The boy was holding a plastic shovel, using it to build a little hill. Tarah tended to him carefully, asking him questions, and making sure he wasn’t getting too dirty. Darcy didn’t want to disturb her, but then Tarah saw them through the corner of her eye.
“Give me one second, J. J. I’ll be right back,” Tarah said, walking over to greet them. She looked back and forth as if she was trying to figure out what to say.
“Everything’s okay, Tarah,” Darcy said, careful not to reveal too much, just in case Brisana wasn’t ready.
“The test was negative,” Brisana said, looking straight at Tarah, a person who had once been her enemy. “It’s the first test that I ever failed, but I’m not complaining. ”
“Amen to that,” Tarah said. “I love kids, but when 5:00 comes, I’m ready to leave. When you’re a mom, the job is 24-7. No time off. Not unless you got lotsa help. I don’t know if I’m ever gonna be ready for that. ”
“Me neither,” Brisana agreed.
J. J. tossed a shovel of dirt onto his pants and grinned as if it was exactly what he wanted to do. Tarah shook her head.
“Well, while you two are waiting for your own kids, you can come to my house,” Darcy said.
Brisana and Tarah looked at her and then looked at each other in confusion.
“Darcy, what are you talking about?” Brisana asked.
“My mom’s pregnant, and in February, there’s gonna be another member of the Wills family. You two can help babysit. ”
Tarah and Brisana’s jaws dropped and both girls hugged Darcy. “Congratulations!” they cheered together. Darcy closed her eyes, squinting back tears and enjoying the embrace.
The summer’s secrets had finally lost their grip. The distance that once separated her from her friends and family had vanished like fog beneath the bright sun. While the scars from Brian’s attack lingered, Darcy knew she would spend the summer dislodging them. She would heal.
Looking at the warm smiles on her friends’ faces, Darcy heard Grandma’s words echo like music in her heart.
“Everything’s gonna be okay, Angelcake. You’ll see. You’re gonna be just fine. ”
And for the first time since the summer began, Darcy knew the words were true.
