“You’re a good sister.”
I take a deep breath and force a smile. “It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for your brothers.”
She smiles. “When was the last time they had a physical therapist train them on how to properly lift and transfer your brother?”
“Maybe a year and a half ago. They had been using a lift until recently. My parents said it’s broken and the insurance company is giving them the runaround.”
“What if I give them a refresher. See if there is anything I could suggest to make things easier on them and Cody.”
“When are you going to have time to do that?”
“It won’t take long, and they don’t live that far from me. I’ll just pop in, or I could even do it this Saturday since we are moving all your stuff into their basement.” She rolls her eyes.
“Very funny, but you don’t have to.”
“Stop. You’re one of my best friends. I should have offered it a long time ago. I can’t treat him, but I can go make sure your parents are doing a proper transfer.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. “Thank you. Dad did say he was lifting with his back.”
“No!” She rubs her hands down her face. “No wonder he hurt it.”
“I know. I tried to tell him, but they don’t always listen to me.”
She stands from the chair and walks around the desk, pulling me into a hug. “Stop trying to do it all on your own. No one expects you to.”
My eyes find the clock on the wall behind her. “You better go clock in. I need to prepare for Bible study.”
“Sounds thrilling,” she deadpans. “Oh, I know Clara has signed up for pickleball, but she really shouldn’t be playing. I told her she could cheer Eugene on from the sidelines.”
“I bet she hated that.”
“Oh, yeah. Told me that it was none of my business what she and Eugene did.” She laughs.
“Don’t worry, I know her balance isn’t great. She watches with Ethel from a bench.”
“Perfect.” Gray disappears out of the door, and I gather what I need to get my day started.
At six o’clock,I knock on Tanner’s door, and it swings open immediately. He’s wearing a black T-shirt with thewords “nepo baby” in white letters across the chest, dark gray joggers, and his hair is tied up on top of his head.
“Hey, roomie.”
“Nice shirt.”
He looks down at what he’s wearing and laughs. “My dad hates it.”
“I’m sure he does.” I fidget, rubbing my hand up and down my arm. There’s an awkward pause, and I wish I had a drink. The night at The Local felt easier. I’m overcome with nerves, and I’m not sure why. “Um, can I come in?”
“Oh, shit, yeah.” He moves out of the way.
I walk into the apartment and am immediately hit with the smell of maple syrup and bacon.
“Are you about to eat breakfast? It smells like a pancake house in here. I could’ve come over at a different time.”
The faintest tinge of red paints his cheeks.
“I made us food.”
“Food?”
