So that was it. Sunday had leukemia. I wished I had my computer with me so I could look it up. I knew it had something to do with blood cells not cooperating with your body and that you have to have treatments so you don’t get too weak. I also knew that people die of leukemia sometimes, so it was amazing to me that none of Sunday’s family seemed to be freaking out like I would be if I were them.
Sunday’s Dad, Kiano, is the calmest of the whole family. He doesn’t talk much — there’s not much chance to talk with all those chatty girls he has — but he smiles a lot, even while he works hard around the Stevens’ property. I watched him all week as he cleared brush and chopped wood. Smiling, smiling, smiling. And every time I passed by him, he would turn and say, “And how are you today, Miss Riley Mae? How is the shoe business?”
And I would smile back and answer, “I have no idea.”
Then he would laugh and say, “Amen!”
I’ve never met someone so joyful in my whole life. I used to think that Bob Hansen, the head guy over at Swiftriver, was the most joyful person I ever met. But Bob acts more like he’s practicing to be on a toothpaste commercial or something. Kiano’s smile comes from his inside. Somewhere deep. I’d like to know where to get a smile like that.