“Like when lawyers help with pro bono cases?”
“Yeah, like that. It’s our first project like this, and it’s finally finished. Honestly, until working on this project, I didn’t realize how many people just, I don’t know, slip through the cracks.”
Cierra nodded, thinking about how she would have been without a home in the city if it hadn’t been for Mia. How her sister had come to her aid on more than one occasion. “Not everyone has somebody to call on.”
“Yeah. That’s why I got so uptight with Zelda, about that pizza comment. Thinking that people should be happy with whatever is thrown at them, even if it’s crumbs.”
“I can’t remember the last time I did something involved with volunteering, maybe back in college,” she said, slightly embarrassed. “I’m glad you asked me to help.”
“Are you kidding? If it weren’t for you, I would’ve been screwed.” Erik looked at her, twisting his face. “I owe you an apology.”
“Huh?” Cierra asked, confused by the sudden shift. “For what?”
“For what I said at the dinner, when we met? About chefs? I wasn’t trying to be condescending, which I know is how it came out.” He paused. “Sometimes, the places and people my siblings are around — it can get a bit much. Even for me,” he said with a sly, self-aware grin.
“I get it, I really do,” Cierra said reassuringly. And she meant it — she recalled how intimidated she’d felt walking into that imposing SoHo loft for the dinner party.
“Sometimes things don’t come out the way I mean them to,” Erik said. “But I really appreciate you doing this, and I know the tenants will as well.”
“Thanks, Erik,” Cierra said back. He might take some getting used to, but at least for now, he was officially off her shit list. “And for what it’s worth, I’m actually excited about tonight. I haven’t done something like this in a long time, and I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Once at the event, Erik introduced her to his co-owner and good friend, Randy, who thanked her profusely and introduced her to various residents and others who helped in the project’s completion. After the food was properly set-up and the music was bumping throughout the courtyard, Cierra found herself sat a table, surrounded by fifty new friends, laughing and exchanging stories. Cierra thought of the Galloping Gourmet and smiled to herself.
So this is what it feels like.
When she collapsed into bed Friday night after an evening of cooking, eating, and dancing, she felt like she had done something worthwhile for the first time in ages. And althoughshe was right about the back half of her week being four times more hectic because of the event, she was so grateful she said yes.
CHAPTER NINE
THE FOLLOWING DAY Cierra spent the morning sleeping in, as the event went a little later than expected and the clean-up took ages. But she’d had an amazing time, and was even happier receiving an unexpected check that she sent immediately to Lisa, determined to pay her sister back as soon as possible.
While she was still curled up in bed, a chiming noise came through Cierra’s phone. After seeing the caller ID, she answered with less reluctance than she’d had in the previous months.
“Hey, sis, what’s up?”
“Oh, hey,sis, surprised you finally picked up. I was about to give up and call the police. You good? I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
Cierra swung her covers off and slid on her slippers. “Yeah, sure, what’s going on?” Her heart accelerated; the last time she’d heard her sister speak in that tone was when she got the news about their father.
“Jess and I had been keeping it on the low, but, we’ve been trying for a kid for a while now, and Jess finally took. It’s still early days, but you’re going to be an aunt!”
Dumbfounded, Cierra stood stock-still in her apartment.
“Hello??” Lisa questioned.
“Lisa . . . holy shit . . . this is incredible! I’m so excited for the two of you. You’re going to be a mother . . . wow.” Feelings of awe and excitement filled Cierra, then realization. No wonder Lisahad been so pressed about the money; she had been working on starting a family of her own.
“Thanks,” Lisa replied, sounding giddy. “And I’m so proud of you for getting that new job. The money you’ve been paying back has really helped. Those IVF treatmentsweren’tcheap.”
“Of course,” Cierra replied. She hadn’t mentioned that the new role, and accompanying salary, were only temporary. “Thanks again for all your help, I genuinely don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’re my little sister, I’d do anything for you. You know that.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“So, got any plans this weekend?”
“Nope. Empty day . . . just the way I like it.”
