Second-Time Lucky

Forcing herself to look away, she told him, “I’ll have to check her record, but I think she missed the standard tests for the gifted program last year.”

“Can she take them now?”

Caileen shook her head. “It’s only given once a year and only to fourth graders in elementary school.”

He gave an exasperated snort. “Bureaucracy.”

“You can have her tested, but you’ll have to pay the costs. I can give you the names of the approved testing services so you can consult with them.”

“Good. What do you think of the gifted program in the local school system?”

“Zia loved the field trips and advanced experiments they did, but some teachers just gave extra work to those in the program. The kids didn’t think that was fair.”

He grimaced. “Busywork. I’d hate that, too.” He paused, then added on a thoughtful note, “Your daughter is quite beautiful.” His gaze ran over her as if wondering where the beauty came from.

Caileen nodded. “She looks exactly like her father. Blond, curly hair. Blue eyes. Same shape face. The same tall, slender body. The energy. I always felt as if I were in a mysterious force field when I was with him. When things were good between us.” She winced internally at the last phrase. She hadn’t meant to say that at all.

“Things do change,” he said casually.

“Yes. Sometimes I wish she could have stayed Krista’s age.”

“But kids grow up.”

“And have minds of their own.” She managed a smile.

Then, to her amazement, her eyes misted over as worry over her child assailed her. She blinked rapidly and got the errant tears under control as Jeff prepared to leave.

“Well, I suppose I’d better get home. Friday is Tony’s night to cook dinner. It’s always grilled hamburgers. Krista got after him about the fat content of the potato chips we used to have with them so we’re having lime gelatin with pineapple chunks and grated carrots and grapes instead.” He grinned somewhat wryly as he described the meal.

“That’s nice,” she said. Her voice wobbled.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded and burst into tears.

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