For once in her life Maizie obeys without question and takes a couple of steps forward, until Daddy holds his hand up again. Of course, it helps that being closer to him is something she wants, more than anything. It wasn't so long ago that Maizie thought she might not see Daddy again, and she knows she might lose him yet, despite what he promises. The bandages that peek out of his sleeve, no matter what they're covering, give the lie to his words. Maizie wants to believe him anyway. The alternative is too hard to face.
"I remember those hunting trips," she says, this time without any trace of a wobble in her voice. Talking about Great Pappy was a good trick. It makes her think about something good, rather than what's in front of her, and Maizie holds that picture of her happy family in her head. Talking is easier, after that. "When I imagined you in the Dog Park, though, I didn't think you'd be sitting around drinking moonshine."
The picture Daddy painted, like his promise, isn't quite real. There's the guard, for one thing. That sure doesn't make it seem like he's spending much time by the campfire. She can act like she believes it, though.
"Maybe that's good. Maybe it will drown the virus right out of you." Maizie glances at the guard again, because it'll be easier to look at him than at Daddy's face a few seconds from now when he tells her no. "I could help the ladies. If there really is any casserole making, I mean. They don't really need me at the library."