To Polly’s chagrin, the little girl prattled away to him, telling him about the clothes Polly had bought her, a bird she’d seen outside on the lawn, even the apple juice she’d spilled and the bath she’d had. She held out her hand coquettishly so Michael could smell the perfumed bubble bath. She was an altogether different child with Michael around.When the meal was over, he helped Clover carry her dishes into the kitchen and showed her how to load them into the dishwasher. Polly could tell the little girl was impressed and fascinated by the appliance, as if she hadn’t seen one before.Once the dishes were all cleared away, Polly said, “Now, Clover, maybe you’d like to wash your face and hands and brush your hair before you go see your daddy.”For the first time, Clover was agreeable to what Polly suggested. She ran off to the bathroom, and a few moments later, clutching the picture she’d drawn for Jerome to her chest, she waited at the door for Michael.Polly waited, too, half hoping he’d suggest she accompany them to the hospital, but he didn’t.
