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Summer laughed. “Trust me. Mom’s closet is way bigger. Come on. You have to see the bathroom. Jackson can learn to swim in the tub.”
The bathroom was bigger than the closet. There were double sinks, plenty of storage, a walk-in shower for five and yes, a huge soaking tub.
“The floor’s heated,” Summer said, pointing to a control on the wall. She opened a cabinet and showed Allison stacks of fluffy towels and washcloths. “So, do you like it?”
“It’s wonderful. I can’t take your room.”
“I don’t mind. It’s no big deal. You need this more. There’s plenty of room for the bed and the crib. Even the changing table. Once we get everything in, we’ll see how it works. You should even have room for the rocking chair you had in the corner of the living room. The one that wouldn’t fit in the bedroom.”
They crossed the hall to the two other bedrooms. Summer’s furniture filled the much smaller area, and the closet was half the size. Allison pressed a hand to her chest.
“No,” she breathed. “Summer, no. You can’t stay here.”
Her stepdaughter’s new bedroom was large by normal standards, but nothing like the one she’d been using. There was just one small window and the only furniture was a queen-size bed and two nightstands.
“It’s okay,” Summer told her. “I want this. I didn’t put in my desk because I want Jackson’s crib in with me. Just until he gets settled. Then he’ll move next door. My desk and dresser are in storage, which is fine because the closet has built-ins and Mom suggested I use Dad’s old office downstairs for studying.”
Allison shook her head. “I want to move you back. I’ll take this room. I’ll be fine here.”
“No. It’s already decided. You need the extra room for Bethany and her stuff. Remember the rocking chair? Besides, this way I can watch Jackson.”
She walked into the shared bathroom. There was a vanity with a sink, separate from the toilet and shower, then a sink on the other side. Beyond that was a matching bedroom painted in a cheerful blue.
“Once Jackson’s okay being in his own room, we’ll move him back here. At night I can keep the bathroom doors open, so you won’t have to worry. When I have sleepovers, you can use the baby monitor.”
Allison continued to fight tears. “You can’t give up all this for me. You can’t! It’s not right.”
“I can and it was my idea. Allison, you’re going through a lot. You’re going to have Bethany soon. You need to not have so much stress in your life. I’m doing this because I want to.” Her smile returned. “And because my mom said I could.”
Allison looked at her. “When I was your age, I was nowhere near this together. You’re so giving and thoughtful.”
“My mom always taught me that we have to take care of people, especially other women. There’s a sisterhood. Men are important but a lot of times, women need to take care of women. She does that with her scholarship programs at her work. Women in tough circumstances apply for the scholarships. When I was eight or nine, she had me read some of the applications so I could understand not everyone is as blessed as we are.”
Summer’s mouth turned down at the corners. “There were some really sad stories. Mom works with a couple of organizations that coordinate shelters and stuff so the women have a place to live while they go through beauty school.”
“I don’t understand. I thought your mother owned a hair salon.”
“She does. But she pays for six or so women to go to beauty school every year. It’s a full ride—tuition, supplies, a stipend for gas and living expenses and day care, because most of them have kids. When they graduate, they work for her. There’s a special apprentice program to make sure they’re successful.”
She tilted her head. “I don’t mean this to sound bad, but sometimes when people haven’t had the same advantages, they don’t understand how to talk to people or how the upscale service industry works. Mom wants to make sure the women in her program are successful, because if they are, they can make enough money to support themselves and their family. She doesn’t even mind if after they’re done with the program, they leave to go somewhere else or start their own business.”
She smiled. “I have to do a senior service project next year. I think I want to do something with the scholarship program. This summer I’m going to figure out how I could help. The purpose of the service project is to make a difference, not just go through the motions.” She paused. “I haven’t told Mom yet, so if you wouldn’t say anything, I’d appreciate it.”
Allison felt the room shift a little. Her back and feet hurt and she was exhausted from not sleeping. The move was upsetting and now Summer was singing the praises of her mother and her generosity. Something of which Allison had direct proof.
But what about all the things Peter had said? How Erica had taken him for every penny, even cutting him out of his half of the house? It was too much to think about.
Fortunately Summer was already walking toward the stairs. “Let’s see what the movers are doing. Grandma said unloading should go fast because you don’t have to unpack a kitchen.”
Summer’s words turned out to be prophetic. Two hours later, the truck was empty and the same guys who had packed all her belongings had unpacked the things she’d wanted for the house. When they’d left, she and Summer made quick work of putting everything away.
Diapers and other baby supplies went into the cupboards in the giant laundry room. In addition to an oversize washer and dryer, there was a large sink, perfect for the baby bathtub, and acres of counter space.
“Mom said you can store whatever you need in here,” Summer told her. “If you need more storage, we can figure it out.”
“Where is your mom?”
“Working. Saturday’s a busy day for her. She’s usually at the salon. Unless I have a school thing, then she’s there.”
