“Then why do you do it?”
Jack stopped. “I asked my dad that when he ran out in the rain to get the door for my mom. He said he did it for three reasons. One, it lets the other person know my focus is not on me; it’s on you. Two, it says what we’re doing, we’re doing together. Three, it shows any guy watching that you’re with me and I think you’re special enough to treat you right. Call it whatever, but that’s why I do it.”
“Your dad sounds nice.”
“Best dad in the world, but don’t tell him I said that.”
She smiled.
Jack headed to the back door. A wooden staircase led up to a small porch. Through the brightly lit windows, he could see Aunt Haddie’s tidy kitchen. It was small, but Aunt Haddie ran it like the galley on a ship. He’d seen her put together three meals a day for eight hungry kids, and by the time they were done, the countertops were clean and there wasn’t a single dish in the sink.
Jack opened the door and started to go through first.
Kelly stopped on the landing. “Sorry.”
Jack paused. “For what?”
“Now you’re not getting the door for me. I kinda hoped you would.”
Jack stood with one foot inside and one outside. “I’ll still get the door for you. Like I said, it’s your choice if you want to go through. Right now, I thought you’d be more comfortable if I went first into a stranger’s house.” He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.
“I would.”
Jack led Kelly inside, through the kitchen and into a hallway, where a tall teenage girl was already coming their way.
“Jack!” The girl stopped short when she saw Kelly.
Michelle, Jack’s foster sister, was dark skinned, with a bright, pretty face and a lean runner’s body. Her large brown eyes seemed even bigger because of her glasses. She brushed back her curly black hair and stood up straight. “Hello. Who’s this?” Her greeting was poised, as if she’d been to finishing school. And she had been, in a way. Aunt Haddie was a stickler for good manners and instilled them in all the children who came under her care.
Jack grabbed Michelle around the shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Kelly, this is my sister, Michelle. Half-Pint, this is Kelly.”
Michelle wiggled an arm free. “It’s nice to meet you.” She smiled at Kelly as she elbowed Jack in the stomach. “I’m almost as big as you.”
“You’ll never be as big as me.” But Jack was no longer quite so sure of that as he used to be. Michelle was fifteen and she was already very tall.
Kelly smiled. “It’s nice meeting you too.”
“Why don’t you ever use the front door?” Chandler grumbled as he walked down the hallway with Makayla.
Kelly took a step closer to Jack.
“Chandler and Makayla, Kelly.”
“Hello.” Chandler’s enormous hand gently shook Kelly’s. “I’m Chandler, Jack’s brother.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Makayla wobbled her head back and forth. “You’re not starting that again.” She gave Chandler a lighthearted shove in the ribs.
“Who’s letting all the flies in?” A heavyset woman came through the open door behind them, laden with grocery bags. Aunt Haddie. She wore a simple blue and white dress with her hair pulled back in a tight bun. The energy that seemed to follow her into the room felt as though it could light a city block.
Michelle hurried over and grabbed the bags from her hands.
A warm smile spread across Aunt Haddie’s face when she saw Jack. “Jackie.” She came over and pulled him into a big hug. Then she turned to Kelly and loudly whispered, “He always left the door open when he was little, too.” She laughed. “I’m Haddie Williams, but just about everyone calls me Aunt Haddie.”
Kelly nodded politely. “Nice to meet you.”
“Do you need a hand with the rest of the groc—” Jack started to say, but just then three young teenagers came pouring through the kitchen door, each lugging a couple of grocery bags.
“Nope.” Aunt Haddie winked. “We have a full house lately. Many hands make light work.”
“Sweet.” Chandler clapped his hands together, and everyone jumped. He laughed. “I won’t be late.” He kissed Aunt Haddie’s cheek, then led Makayla toward the door.
“Is your cousin Lori meeting you there?” Aunt Haddie asked Makayla.
“No. She’s decided not to come. She’s really upset. Have you guys heard about that missing woman, Stacy Shaw?”
Everyone nodded.
“Well, Lori’s the receptionist at H.T. Wells. She works there with Stacy.”