Tarnished Armor
Part 131

Chandler Mansion. The nursery. Late morning.

Liza is sitting in her rocking chair.

The door opens. Adam begins to enter and then sees Liza.

Adam: I’m sorry. I didn’t know...

Liza is quiet for a moment.

Liza: It seems so empty, doesn’t it?

Adam doesn’t answer.

Liza: I was just trying to imagine what she’s doing right now. Probably looking at some kids playing ball, and wondering when she gets to join in the fun.

Adam: Yes. If she were at the park, I imagine that that’s exactly what she’d be doing.

Liza gets up.

Liza: She is. She’s at the park. Junior told me she’d be there. Ran down an itinerary for me, as if I could miraculously appear and Jake would have no idea what was going on.

Adam: Junior?

Liza: Yes. He kept saying “Tomorrow’s the park. Colby loves the park. Do you ever go to the --”

Adam: Are you busy right now?

Liza: Adam, we can’t just show up at the park. Everyone would know --

Adam: I think Junior was counting on you telling me about his little talk with you. There’s something you should see.

Liza: Adam...

Adam: Come with me. I think you’ll... I think you’ll enjoy it. Please?

Adam holds the door open for Liza. Liza looks at him.

Liza: After you.

Adam leaves the room, followed by Liza.


******


The park. The secret bench.

Liza and Adam come up the path.

Adam leads Liza to the bench.

Adam: If you look right there...

Adam points.

Liza: There she is!

Liza sits down on the bench. Adam stands a little bit away from her.

Liza watches for a little while.

Liza: She really gets along well with Dixie. Dixie listens to her.

Liza leans forward.

Liza: She’s trying the hair grab thing, but Dixie’s too quick.

Liza looks up at Adam. Adam is looking elsewhere.

Liza: Don’t you want to look?

Adam: I ... no.

Adam begins to make his way down the path.

Adam: I’ll have Lucretia keep your dinner in the oven.

Liza watches Adam leave. Then she leans forward again.

Liza: Oh, Colby. Look at that! Did you see the whole flock just take off at once? What are you looking at? What do you see right now?

Liza squints.

Liza: Oh.

Liza leans back on the bench.

Liza: That’s Colby. Seven years ahead of schedule.

Liza leans forward again.

 
Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Thirty
Part One Hundred and Thirty Two