Unsure what that might entail, Hendrix still said, “Anything.”
Showing relief, Ryder asked Joey, “Can I hang out with...Hendrix” – he grinned hugely after saying the name – “while you cook?”
Hendrix was quick to say, “It’s okay with me – unless you could use a little help? I can stir the mix or whatever.” For her, he’d suffer the glaring red and green.
After studying her son with concern, Joey nodded. “I can handle it, but thank you.” Her manner cautious, she said, “Go have fun. The pancakes will be ready in half an hour.”
“We’ll be back in time to wash our hands.” He set Ryder on his feet and the two of them started off – until Hendrix turned back. “Keep your door locked, okay?”
Tipping her head, her eyes full of questions, Joey glanced at Ryder.
Hendrix said, “I’ll keep a close eye on him.”
“I know.” Again, she looked around as if expecting to find a looming menace of some kind, but the park looked the same. Empty of people, bright with morning sunshine, and peaceful. With a quick wave, she stepped inside. A second later, he heard the door lock.
Hendrix caught up to Ryder, who was now staring at his feet and kicking gravel. “So.”
The kid looked up, but then looked away.
With no idea what he was getting into, Hendrix cleared his throat. “Something on your mind, Ryder?”
“I wanted a favor.”
“I see. What is it you –”
As if the dam had burst, he turned fast and said, “It’s almost Christmas and I don’t have a present for Mom!”
Ah. He could handle that. They could get online and order something. “How about if I –”
“There’s something I want to make her, but she’s always with me and Christmas presents should be a surprise, right?”
“Hmm, yeah.” That’s how he’d always done it – until he gave up on Christmas. Hendrix remembered his sister, who was seven years older than him, taking him shopping to get gifts for their mom and dad. Before that, like Ryder, he’d made presents.
He steered them both toward a bench. “I can see how that could be a problem. What can I do to help?”
Innocent green eyes stared up at him with a massive load of hope.
In that moment, Hendrix knew he’d move heaven and earth to give this kid what he wanted. “You can tell me.”
Ryder swallowed heavily. “If I could stay with you when Mom tutors, I could make her something.”
The idea warmed him. “Yes, that would probably work.” Would Joey agree? She was so protective that he just didn’t know. “We’ll ask her and see what she says. If she isn’t comfortable with that, then I’ll see if she’ll let us take a walk now and then. Only we’ll walk to my back deck and you can work there. That is...what did you want to make for her?”
Eager now that they had a plan, Ryder scampered up to the bench beside him. “I’m going to find seashells and glue them together to make a Christmas tree. Won’t that be pretty?”
How would that even work?Hendrix said, “Um...”
Confident, Ryder stated, “Mom will love it.”
She probably would, so somehow he’d figure it out. “Sounds like an awesome plan. Do you have the shells yet?”
“Just a few. Mom’s always there when I’m doing that, too!” Grumbling, he added, “She won’t let me keep too many.”
Biting back his amusement wasn’t easy. “Yeah, a mom who loves you, and feeds you, and tucks you into bed, and cleans your clothes and” – he eyed Ryder’s hair – “brushes your hair and reminds you to clean your teeth, they’realwaysaround.”
Ryder laughed. “She’s a really good Mom, huh?”
“The best.”
