Her grandfather sat at the head of the long farmhouse table, drinking a mug of coffee. Dee bustled about, putting dishes and bowls on the table. Blake moved to the table and took his seat at the other end, like he’d done it every night of his life. He’d probably been eating in this kitchen for years. It struck her how much he belonged here. She didn’t, and it was another blow to her heart that she couldn’t ever remember feeling like she belonged anywhere.
“I hope you’re all hungry. There’s lots. We’ve even got fresh baked cookies for dessert.” Dee smiled down at Justin as she put another bowl on the table.
Justin looked up at Gillian. She read the question in his eyes. “It’s chili.”
“I don’t like chili.”
“You can try it, at least.” Tired to the bone, she didn’t want to deal with a tantrum tonight. She wanted to sit down or fall down. At the moment, falling down raced toward the lead.
“You don’t like chili?” her grandfather asked Justin. “Well now, I think my Dee could find something you do like. She’s got the best-stocked kitchen in the whole state.”
Justin peeked out around her leg at the big man. His smile was nice, not mean. Sometimes their father smiled so mean it scared you. Gillian patted Justin’s back to reassure him.
“That I do, honey. What would you like? How about a nice grilled cheese sandwich? I have some leftover bacon from this morning we could put inside,” Dee suggested.
Blake objected from the table. “Hey, you said there wasn’t any more bacon this morning.”
“You should be thanking me for that. I was saving your heart.”
Blake fake pouted, and Dee gave him a placating smile. They seemed so easy with each other. Like a family should be. Yep, he fit, and she didn’t, because she had no idea how to do that thing that came so easy to them.
Justin looked up at her. “Speak up,” Gillian said. “She’s willing to go out of her way to make you something. If you want it, then say so.”
He nodded his head yes at Dee.
“Excuse me, I didn’t hear you,” Gillian reprimanded.
“I would like the sandwich.”
“And what do you say?” Gillian coaxed him even more, trying her best to teach him the manners their father never used. Treating others with respect and kindness was important. She hoped the lessons she taught him now lasted far into his adulthood.
“Please.”
Tears threatened in Dee’s eyes. “Grilled cheese with bacon.” Her words came out around a lump in her throat. “I’ve got some soda and milk in the fridge. I was expecting that might be what you wanted, Gillian. I’ll get some juice for you, Justin, tomorrow. What kind do you like?”
Again he looked up at Gillian. Here was some of that pride she was going to have to swallow. Sure enough, it tasted sour. She needed her grandfather’s help to feed Justin until she could work again. Until then, they were depending on the roof over their heads and the food her grandfather provided.
“Orange juice,” she suggested.
“I don’t like orange juice.”
“Then I suggest you tell her what you do like.” Gillian pulled him off her thigh and kneeled on her good knee in front of him, her braced leg out to her side. “I’m here with you, Justin. I promise you that I won’t let anyone hurt you. But you have to learn to speak for yourself. What did I tell you before we came?”
“What you always say?”
“And what is that?” She put her hands on his little chest, and he put his hands on her shoulders.
“We have to try. If it doesn’t work, at least we tried. Then we’ll find a better way.”
“That’s right. If we don’t try, we don’t know if we can.”
“Amen to that,” Blake interjected from the table. As if she needed the reminder he was there, listening to every word, staring at her.
“Try doesn’t mean one way, it means all the ways,” Justin recited.
She kissed him on the head. “You’re so smart.”
“Fruit punch and grape juice,” he said to Dee.
Uncomfortable with everyone staring at her, Gillian glanced at her grandfather. “I brought his school records. I need to enroll him in kindergarten here.”
“There’s a school bus. We’ll get him registered and on the route. They’ll pick him up out front at the road and drop him off. You’ll like the school. They remodeled a few years back. They’ve got a great play-yard and nice teachers,” he added.
“Monday, buddy. You’re off to school.”
“Oh man.”
“No ‘oh mans.’ Please go take your seat at the table.”