Heather sat on the steps leading to the upper level of her Grandmothers house.
Why was Nana telling all her personal business to the lady on the phone. Heather was coming down to tell Nana goodnight when she had heard the mention of Billy Holiday and that damn snake. Heather didn't like the ideal that she was being talked about on the phone let alone to that lady in the park.

There was a strange feeling going through Heather. Something wasn't right she was sure but what exactally she didn't know. Why was Nana always talking about the lady and why was she sitting there telling that lady all about her. She listened to the sound of goodbye, then the hanging up of the phone. Heather jumped up and ran up the stairs just before Nana came into the hallway. Running to her room and shutting the door, just in time.

"Heather are you ready for bed yet?" Nana asked.

Huffing and puffing from the run Heather answered:

"Yeah Nana, all ready I'll be right down to give you a kiss as soon as I get my nightgown on."

Heather had never told a lie before, but this was a down right lie. Did this make her a bad girl she thought to herself. Perhaps but it seemed the only thing to say. If she told Nana that she over heard what was being said, Nana might thing that Heather was going around spying. She didn't want that. She would go down and tell the truth, and ask Nana why?


As Heather snuggled into Nana's arms she whispered in her purring voice.

"Nana, I have been a bad girl"

"Oh my baby girl, you are never bad, what do you think you did that was so bad? Tell Nana"

"I told a lie"

"A lie, what kinda of lie and why sweetie" Nana hugged Heather even closer.

"I said I had to put on my nightgown but it was already on Nana. I didn't want to tell you that I was on the steps listening to you talk on the phone."

"Oh! I see, and what is it you heard?"

"I heard you talking to that lady from the park about me Nana, and I listened."

With a smile Nana told Heather,

"It's ok honey a lie like that isn't really a lie. Does it bother you that I was talking about you."

"Yes Nana"

"Why does it bother you Heather? She is a very nice lady and she was just interested in you. I like sharing stories about you."

"Did you tell her that my father died?"

"Yes she knows that and she was very sad."

"Oh really did she know my father?"

Nana thought here a minute, and wondered just how much to tell Heather. She didn't want to cause the little girl any more confussion in her life. Yet the truth was important and should be told.

"Yes dear, she knew your father and your mother. Actually she was very close to your father. She would like to get to know you better. What do you think about that baby."

Heather was curious, she had never met anyone that knew her father.  She wanted to know more about the lady she guessed.

"Did the lady like my father Nana? When did she meet him?"

"Shhhhhhhh girl you better get to bed. We will talk more another time right now it's way past your bed time. Now up them stairs."

Heather smiled gave Nana a big hug and was off to bed. Her thoughts were now on the lady in the park. She wanted to know more about her. Once in bed Heather picked up the picture of her father. Looking at the handsome face she smiled.

"Daddy, I met a friend of yours. I'll tell you all about her as soon as I know more. Goodnight Daddy, I love you."

A quick thought of the word mother drifted into Heathers head, but she put it aside after all she didn't have a mother at least not one that mattered.

The phone rang, Katti reached to pick it up.

"Hello"

"Hey Katti girl, Alexa here."

"Alexa, hi thanks for calling back"

Listening to the sound of Katti's voice Alexa knew there was much hidden in the words. So she let idle chat continue for a while. She knew there would be a time when Katti would let it all out and tell her everything. She just needed to wait a bit to give the girl some room. Within minutes it happened...first the tears and then the words. Katti told the whole story.

"Oh my goodness" Alexa let out a sigh

"I have no ideal what is going on anymore. I can't beleive my life is in such a mess" Katti cried.