About That Man. Sherryl Woods

yet.”

      “How come?”

      “I thought I’d wait.”

      “Wait for what?”

      Because she didn’t want to bring up Walker’s name again, she said, “Until I’ve had another cup of coffee. I’m still half-asleep.”

      The answer seemed to satisfy him. “Yeah, Mom used to say the same thing, except sometimes I thought it was because she knew we only had enough for one person and she wanted me to have it.”

      Daisy felt her eyes sting for this little boy who saw too much, and for the mother who’d tried so hard to give him a better life. Beth Flanagan had worn clothes until they were practically threadbare, but she’d brought Tommy to church every Sunday in slacks that had been neatly pressed and a white shirt and tie. His shoes had been polished and his hair combed. She would have been horrified to see him dressed the way Daisy had found him.

      “Your mom was very special,” she told Tommy.

      He nodded. “She was the best. I just wish she hadn’t had to work so much. That’s why she got sick, ’cause she was so tired all the time.” His expression turned serious. “Can I ask you something?”