Read Online A Piece of Heaven by Sharon Dennis Wyeth - Free Book Online Page A

asked, peeking into the box of stuffed animals.
    “I’m not sure,” he murmured. “I hate to throw it away. Once upon a time, there was a use for all these things, but now…”
    “Maybe somebody else could use some of the stuff,” I suggested. I glanced at the box filled with candlestick holders. “Guess you used to burn a lot of candles.”
    “The candlesticks weren’t my idea,” he said with a chuckle. “I had an aunt Laurie who had a poor memory. Every year for Christmas, she sent me the same thing. Gosh,” he added with a sigh, “maybe we should put all this clutter into garbage bags and leave it out for the trash pickup.”
    “What about the barbecue grill?” I remarked. “I found the missing leg. You could put it back on. A barbecue grill kind of goes with a backyard.”
    “I’ll need a grill for the cookout with Brielle,” he agreed. “Let’s see if we can fix it.”
    “And don’t tell me that you’re going to throw these away?” I said, fishing through the box of Christmas ornaments. I pulled out a string of tiny Christmas tree lights. “You could put these on your tree next year.”
    “I don’t get a tree anymore,” said Jackson.
    “How come?”
    He shrugged. “Nobody to see it but me.”
    “What about Brielle?”
    “Brielle doesn’t visit me very much.”
    “Not even at Christmas?”
    “She doesn’t feel very comfortable here,” he said sadly, “because of the divorce. That’s why this visit coming up is so important.”
    I shook my head in disbelief. As far as I was concerned, Jackson’s home was like a castle. I couldn’t imagine staying away if my father had a home like that.
    “Your mom and dad must have gone through something like that,” Jackson added.
    “That was different,” I blurted out. “My dad wasn’t like you.”
    “What is your father like?” Jackson asked.
    “He could be nice. I’m not sure,” I said hesitantly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.”
    I crouched down on the ground and stared at all the stuff. Both of us were quiet for a moment. “So, what’s the verdict? Do we toss it all out?” I asked, breaking the silence.
    “Toss out the things that are too far gone to be fixed,” he said decisively. “Bag up the rest for the Salvation Army. And if there’s anything that you can use at your house, feel free to take it.”
    I perked up. “Really?”
    “Pretend you’re at a free flea market,” Jackson quipped.
    “I’ll take one of these,” I decided, scooting over to the box of stuffed animals. I pulled out a long-legged monkey. “I can’t believe it!” I exclaimed. “My neighbor Nirvana has a monkey just like this! She made him talk when she used to baby-sit me.” I hugged the toy. “He’s so cute. Does he have a name?”
    Jackson grinned. “His name is Monkey.”
    “Nirvana named hers Monkey, too!” I squealed.
    We both laughed. “I guess it’s a pretty logical name,” I added sheepishly.
    “Monkey was one of Brielle’s favorite things,” said Jackson.
    “And she left him,” I said. “Too bad.”
    “She’ll be glad to know that he’s been adopted,” he assured me. Jackson paused at the tutu and the tricycle.
    “Maybe we should keep these two things,” he added thoughtfully. “Brielle might want them for her own kids someday.”
    “I’ll put the tricycle back in the shed,” I offered. When I came back, Jackson had picked up the tutu.
    “Did you ever take ballet?” he asked.
    “I wanted to,” I said, “but we couldn’t afford it. We’re supposed to be saving our extra money for a trip to Disney World, but we haven’t gotten there yet. Did Brielle take dance classes?” I asked.
    “Along with a million other things, when she moved to California. Her mother tells me that Brielle has a lot of interests. But I guess now she’s settled on moviemaking.” He looked at his watch. “Ten more minutes and Shari will be here.”
    “I love her voice.”
    “I hate to leave you with all this