“I appreciate that. I might take Piper’s offer. She seems really kind.”
“She is. She and Tuck are some of the best people I know.”
“With the movie star being the other?” She smirked.
Joking with her, he could do. “Sometimes the Lord puts you in front of people you never imagined you’d ever meet.”
“Do you think maybe...” She paused. “Do you think maybe we could go to church this Sunday?”
Something inside him stilled. “Of course.” What did that mean? Did that mean—
“I want to go to church!” Cheye’s head swiveled away from her dolls, and she raised up on her knees. “Do you have a Bible like my mama? She would read to me.”
Erykah’s eyes teared up, so Chris spoke to Cheye. “What did her Bible look like?”
“It was pink. She colored in it.”
Was she talking about a journal Bible? “That sounds cool. Mine doesn’t have pictures. No lines to write on.”
“Oh. What about you, Auntie Erykah?”
She sniffed. “Mine is like Chris’s, but your mama bought it for me, so it’s extra special.”
“Wow,” Cheye whispered.
“Maybe I can find one for you,” Chris offered. “Do you want one you can color in?”
She nodded.
“Then I’ll find you one.”
“Thanks, Chris.”
Erykah looked at him. She didn’t saythank you, but he heard it clear as day. He smiled and said nothing more. There was no need to.
Twenty-Nine
Yesterday’s events wouldn’t leave my mind. Even as I came into work, signed on to my computer, and responded to emails, the imprint of Chris’s warmth surrounding me like the very best electric blanket on a winter’s day kept replaying in my mind. That one moment had inexplicably tethered me to the man.
I didn’t know whether to cheer over that or cry.
Probably cry because when I’d taken the chance to tell him exactly what that meant to me, he’d evaded. He’d brought up mealtime and then left my room. But why?
I thought we were having a moment. Ithoughthe liked me ... even if his feelings were only a smidgen of mine.
Now I found myself on my lunch break, staring at Piper Hale’s number in my contacts. Could I reach out to her without it being awkward? Would I sound inept just like every time I attempted to talk with my coworkers socially?
Just give it a try. Isn’t being in your forties supposed to free you from being shy?
I had no idea, but maybe it would be better to text instead of call. The thought immediately relieved the stress mounting in my gut.
Erykah
Hi. This is Erykah. Chris told me I could reach out.
Piper
Hey, Doc! I’m so glad you did. I’ve been thinking about you and praying for God to bring you comfort.
