“You can thank me by ordering food for two the next time you go to the restaurant.”
“Three-quarters of a cake isn’t enough for you?”
“Not even close.”
A flash of motion in the rearview mirror caught my eyes.
“Get down,” I hissed to Lexi, pulling her down in her seat.
“Oh my gosh, do you pretend to be Harriet the Spy too?”
“No. Stop talking,” I whispered as we watched a happy family walk toward us on the sidewalk.
I could feel Lexi next to me, buzzing with excitement. “I know her! She was at the restaurant.”
“Shhh!”
The little girl was swinging between her mother and father while the little boy jumped and skipped happily in front of them.
“Don’t go too far,” his mom called.
“A Pokémon!” the boy said, jumping up and down excitedly and pointing at the blue-and-yellow toy sitting on the bottom step of an apartment stoop.
“It might belong to someone.” The mother sounded slightly exasperated, but she was still smiling.
“It says Eff Rrree eee,” the little boy spelled out.
“He was at the restaurant too! You gave them all free dessert. Are you the fairy godmother to this family?” Lexi squealed.
I clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Free. It’s free, Mama,” the girl insisted.
I could barely breathe.
“I guess you can have it then,” their mom said begrudgingly.
“Man, you two are the luckiest kids in the world,” their dad joked. “I always find money and free stuff when you’re around. I’m taking you with me to play the lottery next.”
“Don’t waste money on the lottery.” His wife swatted him lightly.
Their playful argument was absorbed into the sound of the city life as they passed my car.
“Oh my gosh,” Lexi cooed, practically bouncing in her seat. “You left a toy there for that little boy to find.”
“I might have.”
She beamed at me.
“Aww, you’re out here doing good deeds on your Saturday, just like me.” She opened up her bag and showed me the stickers and notes she had stuffed in there. “Kindness buddies! I’m not handing out toys, though, just inspirational quotes.”
She gave me an adoring look.
“You are a good man.”
“I—” I closed my eyes. The cellar loomed, and the woman’s face was there—younger, angrier. I opened my eyes, wincing again at the sunlight. “I am not. You’re wrong. I’m a horrible man.”
Lexi already thought I was some crazy stalker and abusive boss. Did it matter if I told her? She couldn’t think any worse of me.
