That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

I’m not a praying man, that I won’t need to get involved in the process.

But my gut is telling me otherwise.

“So, what are our plans for today? The weather looks like it’s going to be good.” Asha’s bubbly voice always puts a smile on my face.

“I was thinking I might take you for a nice Saturday drive and show you some sights. I can’t imagine you’ve seen much since you arrived here.”

Bouncing up and down on her stool at the kitchen counter, she claps her hands. “Really? Oh my god, I would love that. Davina told me I wasn’t allowed to travel far, so I just go to the local shops and not much more, really. Shit, will she get cranky if I leave? I mean, we still haven’t told her that I know who you are. I just don’t want my bubble burst.”

Walking around the counter to her side, laughing a little, I put my finger on her lips to stop her from talking. No matter if it’s excitement or nerves, Asha’s brain hits hyper speed, and it all comes pouring out of her mouth.

“Shh. Take a breath before you pass out,” I say, kissing her on the forehead. “I’ll message her and tell her where I’m taking you. Scott will follow us anyway, so don’t panic. They don’t need to know what you know. It won’t change anything. So just relax and let’s have a fun day exploring.”

I step back and pull the plate of fruit and yogurt across the counter towards her. “But first, start eating… because I can assure you you’ll need energy for later tonight.”

Picking up my coffee and taking another sip, I see the twinkle of excitement in her eyes. Something I hope she never loses.

“I had no idea there was so many little towns sprinkled along the coast. I wish we had more time today to explore.” Asha’s eyes are as big as saucers as she takes in everything around her.

Walking down the main street, all the shops are bustling with people, but not enough that it makes it too busy. Her hand is in mine and my other hand is full of shopping bags with all the little treasures she’s found. Now I know what my dad means when he complains about shopping with Mom.

We started in a homewares shop, so full of ornaments and knickknacks that I have no idea how it all fit inside one shop. There were shelves running every direction and loaded to the max. For Asha, it’s like seeing sunshine for the first time, everything is bright and shiny. At first when she started looking at things, I kept asking if she wanted to buy it. Her smile dropped and she would put it back on the shelf saying, “No, it’s okay.” It took a while until it clicked with me what the problem was.

In one of the back corners of the shop with no one around us, I ask her the question. “Asha, why aren’t you buying anything? And don’t tell me that you haven’t seen anything you like yet. If it’s money, I have plenty and want you to buy whatever you like.”

“It’s not money,” she says defiantly but then drops her head a little and looks at the floor.

Putting my finger under her chin and lifting it up so she’s looking at me, I ask, “Then what is it?”

“It’s not like I can keep any of it.” She sighs and looks away from me. That’s when the penny drops on what her life is like.

“I’m sorry, baby. I know this totally sucks.” Pulling her towards me and wrapping her up in my arms, I say, “But let’s ignore that. I want you to buy whatever you see that you like. And I promise that no matter what happens in the next few months, I will make sure your precious things are safe and make it back to you. Okay?” As I lean down and kiss the tip of her nose, she just nods and makes no sound.

I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, so I just let her wander through the shop on her own again, stopping and admiring different things, not pressuring her but hoping something will grab her attention.

Finally, she stops at a small wooden sign, whitewashed with simple blue writing. As she reads the words, she holds it to her chest and sighs.

Today is THAT DAY

Where YOU

Get to DECIDE

“Imagine that,” she says quietly.

Putting my arm around her shoulder, I just lean into her and squeeze her to show her I care.

“Never give up believing life will get simpler,” I whisper to her as she clings to the sign like it’s a lifeline.

“I’ll buy this one.” Asha looks up at me like she is still torn about buying things for herself but can’t possibly walk past this one.

“Sounds perfect.”

The rest of the day, she has picked up more little treasures that will make her feel like her house is her home. None of the furniture in the house is hers, and it’s set up so people can come and go.

But once Asha got used to buying things she likes, she’s gone a little shopping crazy. Currently I’m carrying ten different bags of all sizes. Although not everything inside them is for Asha. She has insisted on buying little presents for my parents, Jodie, and Seth. Even for Davina, but I notice there has been nothing for Scott which makes me smile more than it should.

There have only been a few times I’ve seen Scott. He’s stayed in the background and done his job. As much as I want him gone, he serves his purpose.

While we eat lunch at this little Mexican food truck at the edge of the park in the center of town, he sits on the hood of his SUV eating, and his eyes never leave our table.

I’m learning to ignore that he’s there, just like I used to tell my clients to do