Free Providence by Lisa Colozza Cocca Page A

something I can say about the girls you saw me with at the library.”
    “Okay. Have fun today,” I said, as I walked into the store.
    I picked out the colors I needed and hurried to the counter. I had already been away from the Second Hand Rose long enough.
    “I’m Becky. Rosie asked me to say hi and to tell you we’ll be coming to you for all of our floss needs.”
    Lydie nodded. She didn’t smile, but at least her face went from a frown to a flat line. I was ready to pay for my ten hanks of floss and a packet of needles when I spotted the Fourth of July bargain basket. I sifted through the basket and came upon a small music box with a top for stitching. I was looking at the price and wondering if I dared buy it when Lydie spoke her first words to me. “I’ve got six of those music boxes, if you’re interested.”
    “I don’t have enough money for more than one,” I smiled.
    “Are you the girl that dressed up Rosie’s store?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The ends of Lydie’s mouth curled into a smile. “Maybe we can make a deal. I’ll give you all six of these beautiful music boxes for the price of one—and the sale price at that. And in return you can dress the front of my store for tomorrow’s parade.”
    I hesitated before answering. I was worrying about what Rosie might think of this bargain. Lydie decided to add some honey to the pot. “Each box plays a different tune, and if you come back after the weekend to take the stuff down, I’ll throw in three items of your choice from this basket.”
    And of course, once again, I was overtaken by the thrill of shopping and piled the music boxes onto the counter next to my floss. When I got back to the Second Hand Rose, I discovered that I had been worrying for nothing. Rosie was sure we got the better end of the deal. She helped me gather things to decorate the storefront, and I set off to complete the first half of my part of the bargain.
    As I worked, I thought about Sarah and her family. The closest thing Mama and I ever got to a girls’ day was spring cleaning. Having someone paint our nails would have seemed as strange as feeding chickens in the house. The truth be told, Daddy wouldn’t have put up with us spending money like that. I don’t think I ever saw Mama wearing nail polish. As hard as Daddy could be on me, he was ten times worse with Mama. I couldn’t even picture Mama and me having a little book club together. I was always sneaking a few minutes alone with a book, but I never saw Mama enjoying the luxury of a novel. I wondered if I had spent a little less time with my books maybe Daddy would have been a little easier on all of us.
    When I finished, the Needles and Notions looked as pretty as a picture postcard. Lydie was so happy with my work that she had me set her chair out in front of her store. She started to settle in, but before Lydie’s bottom even touched the chair, she sprang back upright. She clutched my arm with one hand and shaded her eyes with the other. “Do my eyes deceive me or is that Miss Lily standing with Rosie?” she asked. “I can’t remember the last time I saw her in town. It definitely was before the tragedy. Poor Lily has endured too much pain for a woman her age.”
    As Lydie settled back into her chair, I turned to look up the street. Rosie stood on the walk in front of the Second Hand Rose, waving at a dark car as it pulled away from the curb. Even from my distance, I could see the sadness in her face. I wondered who Lily was, and what kind of tragedy had caused such pain.

CHAPTER 12
    The parade didn’t start until eleven, but Rosie wanted to beat the crowd so we could stake our claim on the walk in front of the Second Hand Rose. I carried the chairs out to the curb, parking the stroller between them. Rosie settled into her favorite chair and started slowly rocking the stroller back and forth. She had come to know Baby Girl’s love of motion.
    “I’m going to see if Lydie needs some help with her