Delores Parker's Arc

Chapter 4 of 8

The plate trick had given her footing, and now she wanted to use it. Her husband was working hard to bring fathers together for Father's Day. Six red Fords needed to shine. Delores decided to help. She stepped behind the small shed by the hose and changed out of her good clothes. She filled a bucket with warm water and dropped in a stack of sponges. She rolled the hose out across the grass. She washed the first car, then the second. She counted from her hidden plate so she didn't miss one. By the fourth car her arms ached, but the red paint glowed. She finished with a tin of carnauba wax, rubbing slow circles until each hood mirrored the sky. Then she wheeled out a little cart and set it up with cold drinks, fruit, and rolls for the fathers who'd come tomorrow. Her husband walked out, saw the row of shining cars, and stopped still. He didn't say much. He just squeezed her shoulder and stood there grinning. Delores smiled back. She had chosen this, and it felt right.