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“I’m sure he would.” She hoped. Prayed. Wished. “But don’t say anything to him. I need to have a grown-up conversation with him. Okay?”
“All right. Will Grandma and Grandpa know where to find us to come visit?”
Bebe nodded.
“Okay.” Hope hopped off the couch. “Can I have the hot chocolate now?”
Bebe stared at her.That was it?No more questions? Hope looked at her expectantly. “I’ll go make it right now.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
Jay knocked on Bebe’s door. In no time, it swung open and Hope grinned up at him.
“Mama made hot chocolate, and she’s making Christmas popcorn now.”
“Christmas popcorn?” He closed the door behind him.
Bebe looked up from setting a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. “Yep. It’s got M&Ms, pretzels, sprinkles, and melted marshmallows.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing.”
She patted a couch cushion. “Come sit and elevate your leg.”
He loved how she fussed over him. He sat down as she pressed play on the movie. Hope had a smaller bowl of popcorn and curled up in the recliner as she watched the movie from underneath a blanket.
“Happy the holiday break started?” he murmured to Bebe.
She sighed and leaned her head against him. “Blissfully happy.”
“Good.” He tucked an arm around her and pulled her close.
They said nothing as the movie started. Hope made comments from time to time—there hadn’t been a movie theywatched where she didn’t commentate—but it was silent otherwise. Jay wanted to think that it was because they were all enjoying themselves, but he could feel stress coming from Bebe in waves.
What was bothering her? Before he could ask, the doorbell chimed.
Hope sat up. “Can I answer it, Mama?”
“That’s fine.”
Bebe turned to look at the door. Jahleel was glad they had a good view from here. He didn’t really like the idea of Hope answering the door alone, but this was Peachwood Bay. Nothing bad happened here.
“Grandma!” Hope squealed.
“What?” Bebe stared in shock as her parents entered the house. “I thought you weren’t coming until next week!”
“Surprise!” Mrs. Willabee said.
Bebe stood and hugged her mom, then her dad. “I can’t believe y’all are here. I’ve missed you.”
“How you doing, son?” Mr. Willabee asked Jay.
He stood and shook the older man’s hand. “Getting better each day.”
“Glad to hear it. Glad to hear it. Will you be back on the field?” he asked quietly.
Jay shook his head. “No.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
