Slipping the cash in her sock drawer with the rest of it, she scolded herself. Why did she interrupt that moment? She knew why. She was scared. Scared and thrilled at the idea of a kiss. She hadn’t kissed many boys in high school, and really no guys in college—unless you counted the peck on the cheek from the sweet Mormon kid who’d taken her to get ice cream her Freshman year. She just hadn’t been interested in dating, her priority was school. Until now. She shook her head at her conflicting feelings. She really wanted Blayne to kiss her. Why was she so nervous? Stupid girl. She took a deep breath before going back out to him.
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded and opened the door for her. He put his hand on the small of her back as they walked down the stairs—and even through her coat she felt a jolt of electricity spread throughout her body from his touch. She was in trouble. She wasn’t falling for him, she had already fallen. Like an anchor to the bottom of the ocean.
Mama C had looked better last night. No more fever, and her cough seemed to have calmed a little. She was still short of breath, though, and that worried Kaylee even though Max said it was normal.
The sun was out, and Kaylee smiled as she drove to the viaduct. Today would be Blayne’s last homeless day. Her joy at seeing him succeed and pull his life together was dampened by thoughts of Mama C and the others. She frowned, needing a way to help them all.
Kaylee parked on the graveled area and got out. She patted her coat where Blayne’s money lay hidden in an inside pocket—she didn’t dare leave it in her car. Blayne stood, smiling, as she approached. She smiled back, then bent down to feel Mama C’s forehead, nodding at the cool temperature of her skin. “How are you feeling?”
With a good-natured scowl, Mama C answered, “I’m fine. You all need to quit fussing over me.”
“You’re worth fussing over, Mama C.” Kaylee straightened up and put her hands on her hips for emphasis.
Mama C waved a hand dismissively. “Psshh. You need to go on about your business, Miss Kaylee. Get that boy,”—she nodded toward Blayne—“into his new home. I’ll be fine here, and if I’m not, well then, it’s God’s will.”
Either at the mention of Blayne leaving or Mama C’s indifference toward her own well-being, the mood shifted around them.
“Mama,” Hannah said. “Don’t talk like that. We need you. Especially since Blayne is leaving us.” There was a sulking tone to her voice to match the frown.
“Now Hannah.” Mama C shook a finger at the girl. “Don’t you be down about Blayne’s accomplishments. Where he is now is where you all should be aiming.” She looked around, stopping to gaze at each of them in turn. “And, you can. Each one of you.” She nodded. “You’re ready.”
“Where are you aiming, Mama?” asked DeMarcus quietly.
Kaylee thought about what Beth had said about Mama C saying she was “just living to die” after the fire. She also remembered her promise to call Beth and let Mama talk to her. No time today. She’d do it soon.
The old woman sucked in a breath then coughed for a good thirty seconds before responding. “I’m aiming to whoop you if you don’t quit getting into my business.” Her voice softened as she said, “I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing for as long as the Lord allows. There are other kids out there that need help, you know. The world doesn’t revolve around you all.”
Kaylee glanced up at Blayne. His mouth turned down into a frown and she could read the worry in his eyes like the pages of a book.
Mama read it, too. “Blayne, this is a glorious day. Celebrate. Pay it forward when you can. Now go. You’ve got a beautiful girl waiting for you to feed her lunch.”
Blayne flicked his eyes up at Kaylee and his lips twitched in an almost-smile. “Yes, I do.” He bent down and hugged Mama C. “I’ll be back later to check on you.”
“Not one of you listens to a word I say,” she mumbled.
Blayne fist bumped with Clint and DeMarcus, and one-arm-hugged Hannah. “Stay out of trouble. I’ll be back to check on you frequently. If—or when—you move to a new location, make sure one of you meets me at the shelter so I know where you are.”
Hannah turned her face away, wiping at her cheeks.
Looking at Kaylee, Blayne asked, “Are you ready?”
She nodded. He hefted his backpack onto his shoulder, leaving his rolled up sleeping bag where it lay.
Blayne leaned in to open her door for her. “Where do you want to eat?”
“You choose. It’s your ‘glorious day,’ as Mama C said.” She smiled with a closed mouth and ran her hand along his stubbly cheek. The difficulty he was having with leaving his make-shift family was understandable, and she wanted him to feel her support.
One side of his face twisted up into a sad smile and he trapped her hand against his face under his hand. Her breath caught at his touch and she was again spellbound by his gaze. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, his mouth then blossoming into a full smile that almost reached his eyes. “Let’s go all out, then. Sizzler it is.” He wiggled his eyebrows and squeezed her hand before letting go to walk to the passenger side of the car.
At lunch they talked about what classes Kaylee was taking this, her last, semester that started in two days. They talked about what items Blayne would need for his new place. But they steered clear of discussing the scene at the viaduct and Blayne’s obvious guilt at moving on.
Kaylee insisted on leaving the tip for their server before they headed out
