Page 63 of Bent Out of Shade
I served Sadie her favorite fish tacos for dinner to get her in a good mood, then unveiled the paint cans and plastic tarps.
“Ta da!” I pulled the lid off one can, revealing the brilliant purple color.
My daughter bounced on her toes. “Are you having the place painted? Finally! I won’t have to live in tapioca pudding.”
“I am having the place painted.” I nudged a plastic tray liner against her foot.
She frowned at it. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
I snapped a foam roller onto the metal frame. “I refuse to believe that your critical thinking skills are that poor.”
Her face screwed up, then her eyes widened. “You want me to paint?”
“I knew you could get there, honey.” I pressed the roller into her hands. “Start with the living room. Tape along the ceiling and make sure you use the angle brush for the seams. Then start with a coat of primer.”
“Bu-bu-but—”
“Use your words.”
“This isn’t fair! I’m already grounded.”
“Aw, poor baby. You have to spend more time in your room with all your devices, which I kindly did not take away.” I dumped the rest of the supplies out of the large plastic bag. “You snuck into Blood Alley and then made a deal to help Mr. BatKian at his discretion. So you’re going to repaint the living room and the kitchen, and if you whine about it, you’ll find yourself doing the entire house.” I balled the bag up. “Am I understood?”
My daughter nodded meekly.
“Good.”
Hey, if Harley showed up, maybe I could just mom voice him into submission. Heh.
“I’m working tonight.” I ignored the throb in my wrist, hating that I couldn’t tell her exactly what I was doing since I’d promised to be transparent whenever magic was involved. We hadn’t sworn a blood oath, but I took that vow more seriously than anything. “I’ve let your dad know so he’ll keep an eye on the place, but if you hear anything or get weirded out at all—”
“I’ll sic my magic on them.”
“That’s one option. The other is run next door.”
Sadie dropped the roller in the paint tray. “You think Mr. BatKian will show up?”
“Nope.” Well, maybe, but he wouldn’t terrorize Sadie. She was safer without me home. I kissed the top of her head. “They’re ‘just in case’ instructions. Now.” I swatted her butt. “Go change and start working, my little minion.”
“You’re the worst,” she muttered and stomped out of the room.
“Yes, but I’ll be the worst in my beauuuutiful purple living room. And cover my couch before you start. I love it more than you right now.”
She slammed her bedroom door, and I laughed, my spirits restored. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be an unmitigated disaster.
