“Yeah?”
“Look.”
Reese turned to find Matty motioning to her right. “I found the sink and counter.”
Reese walked over to it. It was still covered in grime from the years of neglect. She would have to wash it all a few times before it would feel even remotely clean to her, but it was cleared off, and that was a huge start. “I can’t believe we’ve gotten this far so fast. Do you think the sink works?”
“Only one way to find out.”
The once-silver faucet had lost its shine and was now gray. The bowl of the sink had all sorts of brown debris she didn’t want to know about, along with some old silverware and a piece of plastic wrapper. “Maybe we put a bowl under the faucet first?”
“Good idea.”
They located a piece of Tupperware missing the lid in one of the cabinets. They were mostly empty. It looked as if Joyce had used all the dishes and silverware then just didn’t wash them again.
She set it under the faucet and then turned the handle. Water began flowing. She turned to Matty, then they high-fived, both grinning widely. Another step back to reclaiming the house.
They worked for about six hours total, only stopping long enough to have a quick lunch, which was turkey and cheese sandwiches and chips put together by Reese. The progress they made was unbelievable. They unearthed the counters in the kitchen and found the kitchen table under a huge pile of discarded frozen pizza boxes and paper plates. The laundry room had been stuffed full of plastic grocery bags, dirty clothing, and bedding. The washing machine turned on, but the heating element didn’t work in the dryer. Matty had pulled the unit out to find the exact make and model, then showed Reese exactly what she needed to fix it. The idea that by next weekend she could do laundry in her own home was exhilarating.
Reese walked Matty to the front door. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you home?”
“Nah, I’m good. Are we still on for tomorrow evening?” Reese didn’t miss the hopefulness in her voice.
“Totally.”
“Good. How about I make dinner?”
“You don’t have to go to all that trouble.”
“No, I want to cook for you. I mean, we might as well study on a full stomach,” she said, averting her eyes.
Was Matty nervous? Was this like a date? No, that was silly. They were just helping each other. Just friends. “Okay, that sounds good.”
“Alright, well, I’ll be heading out.”
Matty reached for the doorknob, and without thinking, Reese grabbed her arm. Matty turned to face her with a hopeful look.
“I just want to thank you. For today. I never wanted someone to see this, and you made it so I wasn’t even that self-conscious about it. We made so much progress. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” There was hesitation in her movements. As if she were waiting for something. It was then that Reese realized that they were in limbo.
Her hands were reaching for Matty before it registered. This hug felt different from their first one. It had been a celebration. A moment of excitement. But this, this was something entirely different. They were opening up. She had shared things she hadn’t even told Haley. Never had she mentioned the food insecurities. It was like she wanted to open up, which was insane because being closed off and in control was her coping mechanism. It was what kept her safe.
So why she pulled Matty into a tight hug was a mystery to herself, but it felt right. So right. The heat from the other woman was so inviting. The way her arms immediately went around Reese. The way she rested her chin on Reese’s shoulder.
They stayed like that for a solid minute before reluctantly letting go.
Reese smiled shyly at Matty. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yep, see you tomorrow, Reese.”
Chapter sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
“So, is tonight a date?” Bette asked, placing a bag of carrots in her buggy.
Matty felt her cheeks heat as she grabbed a carton of mushrooms. They were on their weekly grocery run. “No, not at all. She’s just helping me like I helped her. We’re friends.”
