“You knew if I won, I would ask for help with my list,” I said to Mr. Winston in a low whisper.
A muscle popped in his jaw. “That list ...”
Liza appeared between us. “Shall we start a new game? I rather think I have the hang of it now.”
“Mylist,” I corrected him. I swallowed back the raw emotion in my throat. “Liza would join me, but for some unfathomable reason, she will not abandon you.”
Mr. Winston shifted his weight to one side. Then the other. “Do you truly believe that doing all those things on your list will help you move forward with your future?” His eyes seared into mine.
I thought of Aunt Alice, of her joy as she descended the steps of the church on Uncle Marvin’s arm. I wanted that joy. “I do.”
He swiped his face with a hand and looked off in the distance with what I could only imagine was anticipated regret. “Very well. You have your list on your person, I assume?”
I froze. “Yes, but—”
“Give it to me. I shall need a copy if I’m to be a part of this.”
“The list?” Liza looked between us, and I wondered if I too had misheard him.
“I did not make my goal. I need more hits than I claimed to reach my hoop,” I reminded him. “Why would you help me?”
Mr. Winston’s eyes dropped to mine. He gave me a thoughtful, lingering look that seemed to connect us for a beat. “Because no one should be rushed into a life they are not prepared for.”
His words seeped into me like warm tea, swirling and settling into my heart. “No,” I agreed. “They should not.”
“Where do we start?” he asked, clapping his hands together and shifting the air between us. “What new danger shall I save you from first?”
I heaved a sigh. “From now on, you shall need to be serious, Mr. Winston. On all accounts.”
He nodded, tempering his smile.
“My list is not a cure for your boredom.”
“No, indeed.”
“For this to work, we shall need rules.”
He ducked his chin. “Such as?”
“You cannot laugh at me.”
“On my honor.”
“Or try to change my wishes.”
“When they are already so perfectly spelled out?”
I gave him a fierce look, and he smiled innocently. I bit back my retort and removed my list from its spot behind the ribbon at my waist. “All right, then.” I held it out to him. “Make your copy.”
He nodded once and started unfolding the page. “If we are to do eight more ... Forgive me.” He cleared his throat and sent a hesitant glance toward Liza, who had no idea I’d already checked off two numbers on my list. “Tenexperiences, then we ought to make a plan.” His eyes read down the page, then he folded it in half. “May I have your permission to ponder one?”
I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t expected him toponderanything. “That sounds ... helpful.”
“I am not so sure this is a good idea,” Liza said in a small voice between us.
Nor I. But I finally had everything I wanted—everything Ineeded—to succeed.
There was no turning back now.
