Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“There’s an elementary school two blocks from our house. We can go get Jessie enrolled there tomorrow. And I’m sure we can find a dance class somewhere nearby.”
Stella’s voice goes soft. “You don’t need to do all that, but thank you for helping us tonight. I didn’t know what we were going to do.”
CHAPTER 53
ANA
When we arrive back at the townhouse, Marissa comes out to meet us. She hugs Stella and tells her she has a bed ready for her and Jessie.
While we were on the road, I heard from Marissa that she got in touch with Callie, who was more than happy for Stella and Jessie to move into her seldom-used bedroom.
Jessie is still sound asleep in her carseat.
“I used to be able to carry her in without waking her, but she’s gotten too big,” Stella tells us.
“I can get her … if that’s okay?” Derek asks. He followed us all the way to my place, and he and Jansen have been standing by, ready to carry in what little luggage Stella has.
I’m not prepared for what seeing him with a child in his arms does to me. It’s as if my ovaries have turned into birds, flapping their wings as they try to take flight.
The image of this stern, powerful man cradling a soft, sleeping child in his arms is completely incongruent and yet somehow also perfectly right.
All of us go inside to get Jessie settled, then leave Stella alone with her to tuck her in.
“Thank you for your help,” I tell Derek and Jansen when we’re back in the living room.
“We’ll send some food over tomorrow morning,” Derek says, “and you can take Stella and her daughter to the store and shop under our account. Get them what they need.”
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. I have money saved.”
Derek cocks his head at me. “Don’t be stubborn, Ana. Just accept the help.”
“You’re calling me stubborn?” I was feeling tired, but I’m quickly rousing.
“Just let us help you,” Jansen says, but Derek puts a hand on his arm, as if to stop him.
“We’ll let you all get some rest. We’ll talk soon.” Then Derek leans down and gently presses his lips to my forehead.
As I’m still reeling from that, Jansen takes my hand and gives it a soft squeeze. “Goodnight, Ana.”
Despite my long and stressful day, it takes quite a while for me to fall asleep.
In the morning, before Marissa leaves for work, and before Jessie’s even awake, a food delivery arrives from a local grocery store. Among other things, there’s milk, three types of boxed cereal, chicken nuggets, and ingredients to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
They clearly ordered items they thought Jessie would like, and it warms my heart. These men, who didn’t seem to know how to interact with pets, appear to have a soft spot for children.
When I send a text to thank them, they respond with information on a department store account, so that I can take Stella and Jessie shopping for clothing and whatever else they need.
I reply to tell them they don’t need to do that, and my phone rings a moment later with a call from Derek.
“We do need to do this. We have a lot of making up to do, but our fuckups aside, we would do this anyway. Stella shouldn’t have to struggle, and since you don’t currently have a job, you shouldn’t be spending your money either.”
Then Jansen’s voice is on the line. “Come back to work with us, Ana.”
Is that what he’s concerned about? Me working for their company? “I can’t. I need to go. Jessie’s waking up. Thanks again for your help and your generosity.”
“We’ll talk to you again soon, Ana.”
And they do. As the days go by, and we get Stella and Jessie settled in, Derek and Jansen check in daily, usually with just a text message.
They ask if Stella will be looking for work, and offer to hire her either at the corporate office or at the nearest coffee shop, with hours that will be flexible to work with Jessie’s school schedule.
“I’m not sure yet what her plans are for that, but I’ll let her know. Thank you.”
“No rush,” Derek writes. “I know they need time to adjust.”
I continue to be touched by their concern and kindness, but I have trouble matching these actions with them firing Owen and telling me what to do.
Without any prompting from me, they broach the subject of Owen the next time they call. Jansen tells me, “We met with Owen today. I apologized, and we gave him a pay raise to keep him on staff.”
“That’s good to hear.”
There’s a pause, and then in a more solemn tone, Jansen asks, “Do you want to date him, Ana?”
“No.”
On the other end of the line, there’s a sigh—of relief?—and then a muttered, “Good.”