Page 121 of My Favorite Hero

“She loved you too.”

“I know. I was one of the lucky ones, having her in my life.”

We were quiet for a while, and I stayed on his lap as we went through all the photos in the box. You could see when her life changed. There were fewer pictures. There were gardens and other people. Community events. Kittens and puppies. Bake sales. She was in very few of the pictures, and when she was, it was the Lou we remembered. Overalls and jeans. Her hair went from dark to gray quickly, it seemed. No doubt the shock of Gerard’s death had something to do with that. And there was always a trace of sadness on her face.

Except the ones where she and I were together. “You made her happier too,” Jesse pointed out. “Her eyes are glowing.”

I nodded.

“So are yours.”

“She made me feel special. My parents sort of ignored me most of the time. I always felt in the way. Lou made me feel like I belonged.” I traced one picture of the two of us laughing. “That was the only time in my life I felt that way.”

I almost added until now, but I stopped myself.

We finished looking at the pictures and repacked the box with the albums and loose photos. I kept out the ones I wanted to get copies of and hopefully restore. Some of the old ones were very faded and cracked.

My phone beeped, and I read the message. “Damn,” I swore.

“Problem?”

I sighed. “This client wants another change to the website. I do exactly what he wants, and then he changes his mind and wants it ‘tweaked.’ Except tweaked means rewriting shit. And fixing the links and—” I stopped talking and stood. “I need to go call him.”

Jesse stood and kissed my forehead. “Go work. I’ll finish this, and I’ll look after dinner later, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’m taking Miller for a run too.”

“All right. I’ll see you later.”

For some reason, I picked up Lou’s urn and took it with me. Jesse watched me with understanding on his face. As I was walking toward the closet, he called my name, and I turned.

“You like musicals, Pixie? Live theater?”

“Yes. I rarely get a chance to go, but I do.”

“Okay.”

Then he waved me off, and I headed to my desk.

Work waited.

I worked until Jesse appeared, carrying a pizza. We sat on the sofa, the box between us, eating. My eyes kept going to the screen, and Jesse waved his hand. “Just take a break for a bit, Pixie. You looked tired.”

“I’ve almost got it.”

“And it will be there when you’re finished eating.” He took a bite, chewing and swallowing. “I’m going out tonight with Mark. We’re shooting pool with a few guys. You’ll be okay?”

I looked at him, and he shrugged with a grin. “Just checking. And keep Wednesday night open this week and next week.”

“For?”

“Date nights.”

I felt a grin pull at my lips. “You planning something, Thorne?”

“Big-time.”