A small voice uttered a half-syllable.
“That’s it. I heard the k. That’s the hardest sound in the word and you just got it. Let’s try the second part. Lips together, then open up for Mas.”
Another attempt. Jason couldn’t tell if a word had come out or not.
“Ollie, that was fantastic.” Her voice exuded warmth and patience. “Thumbs-up.”
He took a seat, flooding with memories of his own time working with his speech therapist. Linda. He’d had the biggest crush on her. She’d been young and pretty and so patient with him. He often thought of her and wondered if she knew that the little boy she’d worked with until his stutter was almost completely gone had grown up to be an actor. As a child, he would never have believed it possible. But Linda had made it so.
Wherever she was, he hoped she understood that she’d done something meaningful with her life. And she’d changed his.
Through the door he heard Mauve say, “That’s it for today, kiddo. You worked hard. I’m really proud of you.”
The door opened.
Ollie came out first. When he saw Jason sitting there, he stopped, clearly surprised to see him.
“Hey, Ollie,” Jason said, standing.
Ollie gave him a shy smile.
Behind him came Mauve, looking beautiful in a red sweater and black slacks.
“You’re early,” Mauve said. “Or am I late?”
“I’m early,” Jason said.
The door to the lobby opened, and Ben Chambers came in, a little breathless. “Sorry I’m late. I got stuck at work.”
Ollie went to him, wrapping his arms around his dad’s legs.
“You’re perfectly on time,” Mauve said.
Ben nodded at Jason. “Hey. Good to see you again.”
“You too. Get your tree home okay?”
“Yeah. The lights nearly had me swearing off Christmas, though,” Ben said.
“It wouldn’t be Christmas without a fight with some string lights,” Jason said.
“That’s the truth.” Ben squeezed Ollie’s shoulder. “All right, bud. Let’s get home. Mom’s making spaghetti.”
Ollie didn’t answer. He just leaned into his father’s leg a little and let himself be steered toward the door.
Mauve walked them out to the landing. She said something quiet to Ben, who answered just as quietly. Then she was back, closing the door behind her, smiling at him. “Hey. You’re here. In my office.”
“You’re amazing at what you do,” Jason said. “I heard a little through the door.”
“That’s nice of you to say. He was struggling today, and I’m not sure why. Something’s bothering him.”
“Poor kid. He’s a cutie.”
She smiled. “He really is. I’m not supposed to have favorites, but I do. Hang tight. Let me get my bag and coat.”
She disappeared into her office, returning a few seconds later. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day. This is the first year Sugarville Grove has had a Christmas market. I can’t wait to see what they have. I want to get a little something for each of my sister’s children.”
“Remind me. How old are they?” Jason asked as he helped her into her coat, catching a whiff of her perfume.
