He sighed. “I wish I was there.”
He wasn’t the only one with that wish.
“You having a good time with your grandfather?”
“He’s not too bad, but he’s kinda strict. Like today, I wanted to go to the park with my friend, but Grandpa said no because… He said there are too many strangers around. And he said some of the kids in this neighborhood are questionable. He didn’t even want to talk about it. Just said no.”
I released the tension with a drawn-out breath, feeling like I wanted to rescue him but knowing I couldn’t change the situation. Only his mother could do that. “I’m proud of you for sticking it out, Elijah. It’s not easy, but you’re doing great. Just keep beingrespectful, and before you know it, the summer will be over and you’ll be back in a familiar neighborhood. I’m sure your mom and dad will let you play with your friends.”
“I miss you, Grandma,” he said, his voice unsteady.
“I miss you, too, EJ. I’m glad we had all those weeks together earlier this summer.”
“Me, too.”
After we said our goodbyes, I stared at the phone for a moment, a heaviness settling over me. Elijah was doing his best, but I could tell this arrangement wasn’t ideal for him.
Richard walked up beside me, breaking me from my thoughts. “Everything okay? You looked a little worried when you took the call.”
“Yeah. That was my grandson. He’s…bored.”
“Only child?” he asked.
“Yes.” I left it at that, not wanting to go into all the drama with me and Eric and Terri—who still had not engaged in a grown-up conversation with me since she’d sent her father to pick up my grandson. The two times she’d called me back, I was in the car with EJ, so Terri and I couldn’t really talk freely.
“I’m an only child, too,” Richard said. “Teaches you how to be creative. Make up your own fun. Your own friends.”
“Mmmm,” I said, nodding at my phone.
“But you’ve got some real friends here.”
I gave my full attention to him now. “Yes, I do. And I’m grateful. Friends are exactly what I needed.”
He nodded. “Glad to be in the number.”
His words lingered between us for a moment, and I felt a quiet gratitude growing stronger. This wasn’t just about fixing a house anymore—it was about rebuilding something inside me.I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed being part of a circle like this until I found myself in the middle of it. And Richard, with all his teasing and quiet support, was becoming someone I could count on.
Chapter 26
Richard stepped back, nodding toward me as he made his way to the door. “I’ll be back bright and early,” he said with that same warm grin I was starting to get used to. His hand lingered on the door for a moment before he glanced back. “Take care, Joyce.”
“You, too,” I replied, and as the door closed behind him, I felt a calm settle in the room. It wasn’t a bad feeling, just a reminder of the small connections we were building with each other.
Just as I exhaled and turned, Gabriella stepped back inside, looking a bit distracted. I could tell she had a lot on her mind—more than just the repairs and more than the contest. I kept my voice even as I asked, “You want to talk about the cooking contest?”
“I’ve been practicing my dishes at my cousin’s house, using her oven. Between job interviews, of course,” she said.
“I thought you didn’t like your cousin much.”
“I don’t. But what else could I do? I needed an oven.”
Guilt clutched my insides at the thought of Gabriella having to endure her cousin’s bad attitude because I couldn’t afford to provide an oven for my tenant.
“See?” Gabriella held out her hand. “This is why I didn’ttell you. I didn’t want you to feel guilty, Joyce. I know we were both bummed about Celestia. Plus, we were both already upset about Elijah. I guess I just didn’t want to add any more pressure on you.”
“Pressure?”
“Yeah.”
