“That baby didn’t do anything wrong,” she said. “He’s innocent. Sweet as can be. The most beautiful little baby you’d ever see. And he stole all of our hearts the moment we were allowed to meet him. He’s sweet and kind, loving and caring. He loves animals and has the best heart, despite the viper of a mother that has tried and failed to turn him into someone just like her.”
Just then, the lab bolted out of the water with his treasure and headed for the boy, shaking off right in front of him.
The boy laughed and turned, that’s when my heart skipped a beat.
He had a small kitten in his arms and he was shielding it from the wetness aimed his way.
He set the kitten down and the cat yowled at the dog and bolted.
The cat went right to the old woman’s front door and the woman opened it.
“My name is Margery Windsor, and I’ll be your family if you want me to.”
The boy saw the door open and he came marching our way.
When the boy was close, I realized that he wasn’t so much a boy anymore, but a young man.
“How old is he?” I wondered.
“Fifteen,” she said. “Want to meet him?”
My mouth went dry.
She opened the door when the young man got close and said, “Boone Windsor, where is your jacket?”
“Grams.” His eyes sparkled. “I think I might’ve seen my cat go into your house.”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Margery lied. “Now, come in. I want you to meet someone.”
The door opened wide, and the boy came through, trailing snow and dirt into the pristine cottage.
The old woman didn’t seem to care.
My mother would’ve slapped me for doing that.
“Boone, this is…”
“Nettie,” I answered for her since I hadn’t given her my name, despite telling her my whole life story. “It’s nice to meet you, Boone.”
Boone took my hand and kissed it.
I fell in love with two people that day.
Boone Windsor and his grandmother, Margery Windsor.
“What’s going on with her?” Mable sounded concerned.
She would be.
They all knew her.
When Boone had decided to go to school instead of homeschooling, he’d entered into all of our lives.
Though Mable was older than us, Margery Windsor made herself known.
She’d sponsored the soccer team the year that I’d met them, giving us a state-of-the-art facility to practice in with a smile on her face.
She’d also sponsored several other school projects.
