Then Maddox asks, “You ready for Saturday?” as I get out my card to pay for dinner. We used to argue about who was buying, but we’ve settled into a routine of switching off and calling it even.
“Mostly. Still wishing we had more volunteers, but I’ve reached out to everyone I can think of. We have a lot of people helping transport animals, but I’m still worried it isn’t enough.”
Arthur hasn’t mentioned our conversation from Monday, so I’m continuing to prepare for the adopt-a-thon. Ifigure, if he’s angry enough to fire me, he’d probably be better off doing it after the event.
“The fire department could volunteer,” Maddox offers. “That’s ten or fifteen more people who could be helping. Plus...” His eyes sparkle with mischief. “People love a firefighter-animal combo. Those are big on social media. We could even wear some gear, play up the whole thing.”
I twirl my straw through the ice in my glass. “That’s a great idea, actually.”
“We’d draw in a crowd.” His brows waggle.
“Think we can put that together in two days?” My mind spins with possibilities.
He pulls out his phone. “I bet we don’t even need one. You just tell me where to send people.”
I open the spreadsheet on my phone where I’m keeping most of the transfer and volunteer info, and within ten minutes, we have five firefighters and two of their partners on board to help.
As we get up to leave, Ethan’s voice rings through the bar. “Got an order of soft pretzels, folks!”
Cheers erupt around us, then the first few notes of “Just the Way You Are” start up. My mouth feels full of sand as I walk toward the door, weaving through couples on their way to the dance floor. Dancing with Fable out there is still so fresh in my mind—her pink cheeks and messy bun. The way that flowery dress flirted with her knees when she moved.
The pain of it must be etched on my face by the time we get to the parking lot, because Maddox leans closer and bumps his shoulder with mine. “It’ll work out, Theo. I know it will.”
I clear my throat and give a voice to the thought that’s been plaguing me for days. “And if it doesn’t?”
“Already told you—I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”
Chapter 37
Fable
“They’re beautiful, Fable,” Dad says, kneeling in front of the orange, pink, and yellow tulips to take a few close-up pictures.
Mom loops her arm through mine. “I wish Gramps could see them.”
“Me too.” I sigh.
When Dad turns to stand, though, his eyes glassy and his lips pressed together, I realize I got the next best thing. He hugs me close, a soft “Thank you” whispered into my ear. “Can you get a picture of us?” he asks, handing his phone to Mom.
She waits for us to get into position, both sitting right in front of the tulips, Dad’s arm around my shoulders. It reminds me so much of my photos with Gramps that I promise myself I’m going to frame this one too.
“I’m already weepy and I haven’t even been inside yet,” Dad says as we walk toward the porch.
I shove my hands in my pockets. “We don’t have to go in,” I offer. Now that we’re here, do I even want him to see everything? I tidied up the best I could, but with the tools and renovation supplies tucked into the corners, it’s still messy.
Something flashes behind his eyes. “Are you kidding? Of course we’re going in. I want to see all the work you’ve been doing.”
Holding my breath, I lead the way.
The last time the A-frame was this full was Gramps’s eightieth birthday. He hosted a party, inviting everyone he could think of—even a man he’d met at the market that morning. We had streamers, balloons, a hand-cut banner Millie and I had made that saidHAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAMPS, and the biggest cake I’d ever seen from Wildwood Bakery.
I remember listening to everyone sing “Happy Birthday,” our voices echoing beautifully off the wood plank walls, while Gramps sat at the center of it, beaming with joy and tears in his eyes.
Today, I feel like he’s here, among the chorus of people who have shown up for me. There aren’t any streamers or banners, and we’ve replaced “Happy Birthday” with a Disney Hits playlist, but the voices and laughter filling these walls would make Gramps happy.
Dad and Finn are working on the siding, replacing pieces that are weatherworn and crumbly. Finn is pretty clueless about the process, but he makes up for it with sheer enthusiasm. He’s wearing the hell out of those safety goggles as he runs the saw, and Millie seems to be a huge fan of the tool belt he brought.
Tessa is staining the new railing and steps from the top down. A jumpsuit she borrowed from Dad sits baggy over her frame, and a bandanna is tied around her head Rosie the Riveter style to keep her bangs out of her face.
