Even the Score(69)

“Surprise!”

My head sprang up, and my heart started thumping hard at the sudden, loud outburst. I leaned to my left, around Andy, to see what was going on. Becca, Logan, and a woman who I assumed was Gloria were all sitting around the island, facing us with big smiles on their faces. In front of them was a huge feast of pot roast and baby red potatoes and green beans with almond slivers. As we walked farther into the room, the smell drifted into my nose, making my stomach growl. If warm and cozy had a smell, it would be that pot roast.

“Hey, gang!” Andy called out as he set my suitcase on the floor in the corner of the kitchen.

“Hi,” I said as confidently as I could, waving at them.

“You’ve met the kids, but Dani, this is Gloria. Gloria, this is Dani,” Andy introduced with a big smile.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I held my hand out and walked over to her, surprised when she went past my hand and wrapped her arms around me instead.

“Awww, you poor thing. What you’ve had to go through, no person should ever have to go through. I’m glad you’re safe now.” Up until that moment, I had no idea that some people could hug better than others. She squeezed me so tight and was so comforting about it that I thought I might start crying again right then and there. Instead I squeezed my eyes so tight there was no room for a tear to form even if it wanted to.

“Thanks so much, Gloria.” I pulled back and motioned toward the island full of food. “You didn’t do all this for me, did you?”

“Of course we did. You needed a proper welcome dinner, so the kids and I took a vote.” She smiled and turned toward them.

Becca’s hand shot straight up in the air. “I voted for Lucky Charms.”

“I wanted pizza.” Logan pouted as he crossed his arms.

“You always want pizza.” Andy laughed and walked over, rustling Logan’s blond hair before pulling him into a playful headlock.

“I can’t say that I blame him,” I added. “Pizza and Lucky Charms are practically the best foods on the whole planet.” I looked over at Becca and winked as she smiled proudly.

“Well, this happens to be my favorite dinner on the whole planet, and I say we eat before it gets cold.” Andy scooped Becca up and tickled her as they walked to the kitchen table. She giggled and squirmed in his arms as Logan followed along behind them.

Gloria picked up the bowl of beans under one arm and tried to carry the bowl of potatoes in the other, but it wobbled unsteadily in her hand. “Here, let me get those,” I offered, reaching for the bowl.

“No, no, no. You’re the guest of honor. You sit down and I’ll take care of everything.” Her lips pulled into a wide, warm smile, and she nodded toward the table for me to sit.

I returned her smile and headed over to the table, surprised that it was already set for five.

“Will you sit by me?” Becca asked, grinning up at me so sweetly that I couldn’t say no.

“Of course.” Sliding around behind the table, I took the empty seat in between her and Andy. I pressed my lips together, trying to hide my smile, as she scooted her chair over a couple of inches toward me.

Gloria set the bowls of green beans and potatoes on the table before she turned back to get the huge platter of pot roast from the island. When she was done setting all the food on the table and had taken the last empty chair, Becca and Logan linked hands like clockwork, Andy and Gloria following. Becca held her hand out to me. I stared down at it for a second, following it back up to her tiny, grinning face. I returned her smile with my own as I took her hand in mine. A nudge from the other side made me turn to my right, where Andy’s hand was also waiting. I took it and lowered my head along with everyone else.

To my surprise, Becca was the one who started speaking. “Thank you for our food. Thank you for our family. Thank you for our warm house. Thank you for green beans. Thank for you my new hula hoop. Thank you for my gymnastics teacher, Miss Joyce. Thank you for popsicles. Amen!”

Her head snapped up excitedly, and everyone freed their hands as I bit my lip, desperately trying to keep a giggle inside. That was the cutest prayer I’d ever heard, if it could even be considered that.

“I’d just like to add one more thing,” Andy said before we started filling our plates.

Logan frowned in confusion but bowed his head again without asking any questions. Everyone else followed suit.

“I just wanted to say a special thank-you tonight for keeping Dani safe and bringing her to our house. I also ask that you continue to keep her safe, as well as the rest of us. Amen.”

“Amen,” Becca, Logan, and Gloria said in unison.