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I’m happy she’s making friends, but I was sort of hoping the first one would be a girl.
“Are your parents around?” I ask. “I’d like to meet them.”
“I don’t have a mom.” He juts out a crutch. “She didn’t want to deal with this. And my dad’s at the shop. I work there a few hours a day. It’s just down the street and around the corner.”
“On McQuaid Circle?”
“Near it, anyway. It’s the Cruz-In Auto Repair Shop. My aunt and uncles work there too. If you ever need work done on your car, it’s the best place to go. Even if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, we have a supply store.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I laugh. “I can see why they want you working there.”
“It’ll be partly mine one day. I’m going to be a mechanical engineer and work on engines. I’d prefer to work on race cars, but I guess you take what you can get.” He turns around. “I’d better get back. I like to have dinner started when my dad gets home. Nice meeting you, sir.”
“You too, Christian.”
I wait until he’s out of earshot to raise a brow at Bug. She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please.”
“First thing on my agenda today will be taking care of your outside entrance.”
“You saw him, Dad. He has trouble walking. You think he can climb a flight of stairs?”
I laugh. “You’d be amazed what people can do for love.”
“Gross.”
“Hey, you two,” Allie says from the back door. She scans the yard. “What’s all this?”
I hurry over and take her into my arms. “I missed you.” I kiss her chastely, saving the inappropriate stuff for later. “Thisis what my daughter and the neighbor kid have been working on while you were shopping.”
Her mouth falls open. “Christian and Bug did this?”
I narrow my eyes. “You know about Christian?”
“He lives next door. He’s Mia’s nephew. Great kid. Darla could do much worse in the friend department.”
“But he’s a… boy.”
Allie giggles. “Beggars can’t be choosers. You wanted her to make friends, Ash.” She looks beyond me to Bug. “My mom iswaiting for you out front.” She holds out a small bag. “But first I wanted you to see these.”
Bug looks at the shopping bag with great hesitation. As if there’s nothing in the world Allie could buy her that she would like, even if it was something every teenage girl wanted. She pulls two tiny outfits out of the bag. One is pink and one is blue. The pink one reads: “Little Sis.” The blue one reads: “Little Bro.”
“I thought maybe these could be what they wear when they come home from the hospital. What do you think?”
Bug shrugs. “I think it’s not really my choice.” She shoves the bag into my arms. “Mrs. Montana is waiting.”
“What’s that all about?” I ask when Bug trots inside.
“She’s going for a sleepover at my mother’s. So is Charlie.” Her face cracks into a smile. “We’ll have the entire house to ourselves.”
I lean in and kiss her neck, right below her ear. “I like the way you think.”
Ten seconds later, we’re back inside and Bug is rushing down the stairs with a backpack slung over one shoulder. “Bye, Dad. See you tomorrow.” She starts to walk away then turns and looks at Allie. “Um, see ya.”
I’m stunned. It wasn’t much, but it was an acknowledgment.
I stare down at Al. “Something’s changed. She doesn’t look at you with such a sour face anymore.”
“She still won’t let me help her decorate her room or go shopping. And we’ve yet to sit at the same table for a meal whenever you’re gone. But, yeah, I feel something’s changed.”