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I frown and slowly get up from the stool. “No? But if you need help, then I can. I’m not asking for you to pay me back.”
“I would, if I took your offer, but I’m not going to.”
“And then I’d give you as long as you needed to do so. My offer’s on the table.”
“You don’t even know how much it is.”
“I’d give what I could.”
“And I appreciate that, I do, but I can’t take from you, Zoey.”
I nod. Because now the idea is in my head. He’s being some kind of prideful. “We could do a fundraiser—”
Magnus laughs. “Giving and helping that charity is enough to make my gran annoyed if she found out. Imagine if word got back, I’d started a fundraiser?”
“I think she’d secretly be happy.”
“Zoey, leave it. I’ll find a way.”
When the mail comes, hand delivered by USPS, I can’t get the urge to help out of my system.
I know things he doesn’t.
And I made a promise not to say a word.
That promise doesn’t stop me from trying to do something, though.
“Can you man the store for me for a while? If it hits six and I’m not back, just lock up and—”
“Leave the key under the mat? I’ll wait for you to get back.” He looks at me like he’s expecting some kind of explanation, which makes sense. But he’s not getting one.
I go into the back and grab my raincoat, umbrella, and bag. “I’ve got some errands to run. See you soon.”
“Zoey! Come in.”
I follow Amanda…actually, I’m not sure if she’s Magnus’s maternal or paternal grandparent…into her apartment.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t expect someone to come knocking.”
“There’s no security in this building.”
She nods, picking up a knickknack from the mantle in one hand, the other clinging to the walker. His gran looks a little frailer, more drawn, but after what she told me, I don’t blame her. And add that to what Magnus said…
“I know,” his gran says, putting the knickknack down and she offers me a brave kind of smile. “The buzzer was broken ages ago, along with the lock. And this new landlord isn’t going to fix anything.”
“I’m not surprised. This is how the rich make their money, preying on others.”
She nods again. “But what can we do?”
“Maybe you should talk to Magnus.”
“No, he does enough for me. He-he’s sunk so much of his savings and money and time into helping me out. He doesn’t think I know all that, but I do. I can’t ask him to pay my rent, too.”
“I can help—”
“No dear. The prices are skyrocketing and I’m half convinced this place will be pulled down. It’s happening all over.” She eases down onto the armchair and sighs. “I’ll be okay. I’ll find a way.”
“I can help.”
