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“I always got your back.”
Chapter 10
Memorial Day was finally here, and Harper started her day by bringing Tom for a pancake breakfast—his favorite—before he went to the parade with Isla and Mrs. Garrick, and Harper headed back home to help Milo with the setup for his party.
The diner was packed with people and many Harper didn’t recognize. The out-of-towners were starting to take over their small town.
“How’s work?” she asked once they were seated. “Still enjoying it?” She was ecstatic that he had a job and he was able to contribute to society, but she worried he’d become bored and it wouldn’t bring him the same joy.
“Great!” he said with added enthusiasm. “Mr. McConnell showed me how to bag groceries.”
“The mayor?” Harper asked, and Tom nodded repeatedly.
Mr. McConnell owned the market, and while employees and a long-time manager ran the business smoothly, he still stopped in every now and again.
“He said I’m a natural.” Tom pointed to himself and flashed a megawatt smile.
“High praise from a very important person. I’m so proud of you.” Harper reached across the table and squeezed Tom’s hand. He giggled at the compliment and went back to eating his pancakes. She handed him the syrup—he loved extra—but grabbed it out of his hands when he attempted to empty the entire bottle.
“That’s enough,” she said and handed him a napkin. “You excited for the parade?”
He nodded.
“What about going with Isla?” His cheeks bloomed red, and he hid his face behind his hands, a laugh slipping out. He’d had a crush on Isla ever since they were kids, and she’d watch wrestling with him even though she had no idea what was going on. For the last couple of years, she’d volunteered to take Tom to the parade so Harper could help Milo get ready for the party.
“Don’t forget your bathing suit for later. Milo has baskets full of water balloons, and I hear he might be setting up a slip and slide.”
Tom clapped; his excitement palpable.
A woman in the booth next to them turned to face them. Her red hair was cut short and styled in an off-centered part. Her blue eyes focused on Harper, and she smiled brightly with what looked like appreciation, which made Harper shift uncomfortably.
“It’s so nice that you take him out,” the woman said. “He’s lucky to have you.”
Harper’s head swiveled back. “I don’t need praise for taking my brother out for breakfast. Thank you.” If her brother didn’t have down syndrome, would this person even think to say that to her?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
This wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. Usually she handled herself better, but she’d been on edge lately with Mom spiraling, the order for Sofia’s graduation, and thoughts about what her future held.
“It’s all right.” Harper took a deep breath, realizing she was being snippy. Some people didn’t say things with malicious intent; they just didn’t know. “If anything, I’m lucky to have him.” She offered a smile and turned back to her food.
Mom had brought her tons of heartache and misery over the years, but she did get one thing right. She gave Harper the greatest gift when she gave birth to Tom. Harper had a buddy for life, and if she and Mom never mended the years of tension, Harper would still be grateful to her.
Tom reminded her to focus on the joy of life and not to stress out about everything else. Though it was near impossible for her not to stress; she had moments where she tried.
She let the stress and the world around her float away as she put all of her attention on Tom. They finished their breakfast, waved goodbye to Annabelle, then headed back home so Tom could grab his bathing suit and wait for Isla to pick him up for the parade.
Harper stopped in front of the house and sighed when Mom looked up from the garden. She didn’t stumble, so it appeared she was sober… for now.
She’d planned on a drop and go but reluctantly threw her Jeep in park and got out. Tom waved to Mom as he passed, and Mom chased after him to give him a hug and a kiss.
“Go get your bathing suit,” Harper said. She could easily put it in her truck now, and she’d know it made it to her place safely and would be ready for Tom when he was.
He headed into the house, and Harper nodded to the garden. “It looks good.”
Shock flashed across Mom’s face, but it quickly morphed into a smile. “Thanks. My rose bush isn’t doing all that great this year. Black spot fungus appears to be growing. I need to get to the store to get something to treat it before it takes out the entire lot.”
“Do you have the money for that?” Harper asked.
