Daisy Lane by Pamela Grandstaff Page B

“They treat Ed like that, too.”
    “So he’s an orphan like us,” Grace said.
    “Yep,” Tommy said. “We’re all just a bunch of strays they picked up.”
     
     
    “What’s the story with Grace?” Claire asked as soon as the two of them were out of earshot.
    “It’s a sad story,” Hannah said. “Her mother killed herself, then her grandmother died of breast cancer, and now she lives in that big old house with just that old sourpuss to look after her.”
    “I was raised by a sourpuss,” Maggie said. “I survived it.”
    “What about her dad?” Claire asked.
    “Some kid her mother dated in high school,” Hannah said. “The family moved him away and they were never involved at all, apparently.”
    “That’s sad,” Maggie said. “And she’s so tiny.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with being small,” Hannah said. “I’m fun-sized, myself.”
    “She’s really cute,” Claire said. “I’d love to braid her hair.”
    “She was friends with Charlotte until they went to high school,” Hannah said. “Then Charlotte ditched her for the rich kids; ditched her and Tommy, who has the biggest crush on Charlotte. That’s probably how those two became friends.”
    “Where did you get all this information?” Maggie asked.
    “Oh, I ask around, you know,” Hannah said. “When someone rescues your child from certain death, you kind of want to know more about her.”
    Hannah told them the story about what had happened.
    “Is Sam really okay?” Claire asked with concern.
    “He wouldn’t show me what he did to his knees,” Hannah said. “So I called Doc Machalvie and told on him. Doc’s making him use his wheelchair for a few days until they heal.”
    “He must hate that,” Maggie said.
    “Oh, he’s unbearable, alright,” Hannah said. “He might have to sleep in the barn until he’s back on his feet, so to speak.”
    “It’s a good thing Grace showed up,” Maggie said. “Who knows what might’ve happened.”
    “Okay, I get it,” Hannah said. “I’m a horrible mother. But you guys know Sammy; he is not a normal child. I’m doing the best I can here.”
    “Sweetie, I couldn’t do it,” Claire said. “I don’t know how you do.”
    Hannah stuck out her tongue at Maggie, who stuck hers out in return.
    “I’d like to improve that kid Grace’s life somehow,” Hannah said. “Maybe feed her some oatmeal for starters.”
    “Maybe Tommy and Grace will fall in love,” Claire said.
    “No,” Hannah said. “I don’t get that vibe at all, and everyone knows I am the town’s preeminent matchmaker.”
    “That rotten Charlotte,” Maggie said. “Who does she think she is?”
    “Sounds like she’s stuck on herself,” Claire said. “And to think she was such a nice little girl.”
    “Kind of reminds you of her mother, doesn’t it?” Hannah said.
    All three took a moment to make a rude face about Ava Fitzpatrick.
    “Grace’s better off without Charlotte as a friend,” Maggie said. “It’s probably better for her to figure out how people can be now rather than later. She’s never going to have an easy life.”
    “You’re so cheerful,” Hannah said. “The sun shines right out of your butt, doesn’t it?”
    Maggie pushed Hannah, who fell backwards off the wall into the hedges behind it.
    “It just rips your heart out, though, doesn’t it?” Claire said as she offered Hannah a hand to pull her back out. “You just want to pick her up and give her a hug.”
    “She’d probably bite you,” Maggie said. “That kind you have to tame first.”
    “Kind of like you,” Hannah said, and Claire laughed.
    Maggie reached out to push her again but Hannah evaded her hand.
    “Shut up,” Maggie said. “Grace and I don’t need your affection; we’re self-contained units.”
    “Everyone needs affection,” Claire said, watching the two teenagers as they entered the library. “That poor little girl.”
     
     
    Maggie found Scott in his office, staring at his computer