Read Pushing Up Daisies for Free Online

doorway. “Daisy, I didn’t mean…Jasper…”
    “Out.” Daisy pointed to the door.
    Ming Li held Daisy as she cried. They could hear Gigi outside the door, cursing at Marcus.
    “What about Jay? What did Jasper’s mom say about Jay?” Ming Li asked.
    “Nothing. Didn’t mention him.”

    Daisy sat on the bleachers next to Gigi and Ming Li and tried to smile genuinely every time Jay looked at her. Jay was a talented player, taller than the rest of his teammates and clearly more athletic. They were up by ten points, thanks to Jay, and the game was almost over. Please don’t let the other team catch up. Daisy was proud and happy for him, glad that she’d decided to let him spend one more night over at his friend’s house and to break the news to him after his tournament. He’d need a pleasant memory to balance the upcoming bad news. Deep down inside, she knew a ball game wouldn’t lighten his pain, but how could she rob him of two loves in one day?
    Grinning, Jay ran over to Daisy, holding the ball under his arm. “Hey, Mom! Hi, Ms. Gigi, Ms. Ming Li. Did you guys see me? We whipped them, blew them away. Where’s Dad?”
    Daisy had prepared, but she still wasn’t ready. She wrapped her arm around Jay and walked him to the other side of the court. She wouldn’t tell him in front of his teammates. “Hey, you.” She rubbed his head, messing up his hair. “I’m so proud of you. You did a good job—fantastic. I didn’t know you could play like that.” Her eyes grew misty.
    “Aw, Mom, don’t start crying. You’re gonna embarrass me.”
    “Going to embarrass me.” Daisy wanted to kick herself for correcting him.
    “Going to. Anyway, I wasn’t that good. But you really think so?” He bounced the ball back and forth between his legs, showing off. “Where’s Dad?”
    “He couldn’t make it, sweetie. If he could, he’d be here. You know that, right?” Tears escaped and ran down her cheeks.
    Jay stared into Daisy’s eyes. His expression was serious, not one of a child. “Where is he?” he said, his voice cracking.
    Daisy hesitated. “Well, remember the talk we had about your real mom? How she loves you even though she’s not here—”
    “Dad died?”
    Daisy nodded, wiping her eyes.
    Jay threw the basketball across the court. “Everybody leaves me! Are you gonna leave me too?”
    “Never.”

    Ming Li’s dress was hiked up around her waist as she tried to stretch her too short stockings over her long legs. Daisy shook her head and smiled.
    “Ming Li, thanks for going. I appreciate it.”
    Ming Li straightened her dress. “You don’t have to thank me. I know I said a lot of bad things about him, but he was my friend. We were close once.”
    “I know.” Daisy patted her on the back. “I’m going to check on Jay. I’ll meet you downstairs.” She turned to walk out of the room and collided with Gigi.
    “God! You scared me.”
    Ming Li jumped.
    “Sorry. You two ready? Jay’s downstairs waiting.”
    “Don’t scare us like that!” Ming Li said with a sigh. “Knock next time, ring the bell or something. You know I’m already nervous. I don’t do funerals.” Ming Li opened her purse, pulled out her flask, and took a swig.
    Daisy shook her head.
    “What?” Ming Li put her hand on her hip.
    “We’re on our way to church, remember?”
    “Well, when we get there, let me know, and I won’t have another sip.”
    Daisy grabbed her purse. “You two ready? I don’t want to be late.” She headed for the door.
    “Okay, but are you sure you want to go?” Gigi asked. “It might just make things worse.”
    Daisy turned around, nodding. “I have to go, Gigi. For Jay.”
    “And you? Do you want to go?”
    “No, I didn’t want to. Still don’t, but Jay asked me to, practically begged me to. How could I say no? Besides, seeing is believing. And I need clarity. It’s hard for me to believe he’s dead. It’s even harder for me to believe that he was married. I just want to get a look