All The Dark Places

7. Puncture

     The thought of having Scott nearby made her relax a little. The picnic was over and the kids made their way home, giving her some quiet time with Felicia. Felicia took her hand and tugged her out into the rose garden in the park. The scent of fresh cut grass and a mix of flowers and earthy soil filled the air. The scent of horse apples in the distance was not unpleasant. They made their way down the stepping stones toward the lake and to the little boat house.

Max was busy chewing on something he found in the dirt, likely a sheep bone. He seemed content. He did what dogs do, happy to be doing just that and nothing else. He laid his enormous paw on the dirt as if to say 'don't even consider taking this stick away from me, foolish human.' Felicia laughed at the dog and ruffled his ears. He was sweet with her, even smitten, and licked her hand. 

    "I don't think he wants to budge from that spot, Felicia." 

     "He's happy here. Good doggie. Good dog." 

      "Well, how about we have our picnic by the lake, and we'll keep Max company. After we can go into the village and get ices. I have a friend I want you to meet." 

      "Your boyfriend?" 

      "No sweetie. I'm married. You'll meet Scott. He is my assistant, and he is also a good friend. I think you'll like him. He is funny and smart, like you." 

      "Does he have a girlfriend?" 

      "No. I think he has a boyfriend," Rosalind replied. Or two, or three maybe, she thought. 

      "Oh, he's gay then. My uncle Robbie is gay too. He's married." 

      "That's nice, sweetie." 

     Felicia remained quiet for a while, pensive. She munched on strawberries that Valerie packed in the basket, 

      "Do you like my dad?" 

      "Yes, I like your dad very much. Your mum too." 

      "No, I mean, like a boyfriend." 

     Rosalind proceeded with caution. 

      "Your parents are very nice people, Felicia. Very nice and happily married people. I like them both but just as friends." 

      "They're not happy though. Daddy is always miserable and mommy is always sad." 

      "I am sorry to hear that, but that has nothing to do with me," Rosalind said. 

      "No, it's been that way a long time." She looked sad for a moment, then saw a pale yellow butterfly fluttering over her head and jumped to try to grab it in her hands. "My mum has been sad since Nicholas died." 

      "Who is Nicholas, sweetie?" 

      "My brother. He died before I was born, and she has always been sad. Sometimes she gets so tired, and she stares at me and cries a lot." 

      "I am sorry to hear that. It must be hard on your father too, losing a child." 

      "It was before she was with my daddy. Before that, she was with someone else. She doesn't know that I know who it is, but I do. Daddy doesn't know who it is, but I do. She never wants to talk about it when he asks, but I know everything. I won't tell him though because he is here, and Daddy would punch him in the face." 

      "He is here? What do you mean? Your mother's ex-husband is here?" 

      "They weren't married. He was married, but she wasn't. Mum was in school, and he was teaching at her school for a Summer. Teaching people how to make movies. I'm not supposed to know that, but I do. He told mum that he loved her and wanted to marry her but when she had a baby, he didn't love her anymore. 'Cause he was married and he didn't want his wife to know he had a baby with my mum."