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I listened as she placed the rolls in the pantry.
“My car broke down. Then Jay got sick, and I missed almost two weeks of work. I was constantly choosing between which bill I could afford to pay and putting food on the table.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It was.” She exhaled. “I was so tired, Vera. I felt like I was failing my kids.”
I shook my head.
“You weren’t failing them. You were doing your best.”
She smiled faintly. “That’s what Hart told me. He helped us get into this apartment. No rent, no utilities. Just told me to focus on finishing school and getting myself together.”
I paused with a bag of potatoes in my hands.
“He covers your utilities, too?”
“Everything. The only thing I’m responsible for is my personal expenses.”
I looked toward the living room, where Hart was currently on his hands and knees, growling at Jay while Amelia shrieked with laughter.
Ms. Taylor followed my gaze.
“I don’t think he realizes how much he’s done for us.”
“What do you mean?”
She leaned against the counter.
“I finished my paralegal program last month.”
My face lit up.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” she said bashfully. “And I have a job lined up at a law firm starting next month. It’s a really good opportunity with benefits, decent salary, and room to grow with the firm.”
“That’s really awesome.”
“It really is. I’ve been saving money this whole time, too. So, once I get settled into my new job, we’ll be able to move into a place of our own.”
“You must be so excited,” I said, handing her the potatoes.
“I’m feeling a lot—excitement, anxiety, fear, but mostly excited. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m actually getting somewhere.”
She glanced toward the living room again. “And I wouldn’t be here without him.”
I swallowed around the sudden tightness in my throat.
“He’s a good man,” she continued.
“I know.”
She shot me a knowing smile. “You better hold onto him.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry. I plan on it.”
A loud roar came from the living room, followed by a chorus of delighted screams.
