Sam looked back at Alex, still leaning against the car. Alex lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. Sam wasn’t sure how much an eight-year-old might understand about death, but she decided to be honest with her. “Yes,” she confirmed. “My mom passed away not long ago. She lived here in this house, which is the house I grew up in.”
Sophie looked from Sam back to the house and then again at Alex. Her sweet little face scrunched up slightly, and then, without warning, she threw her arms around Sam’s waist. Her squeeze was surprisingly firm for such a small girl. Sam felt her eyes fill with unshed tears, but she recognized a gift when she was given one. After a few moments, she wrapped her arms around the girl to hug her back. They stayed like that for at least a minute until Sophie pulled away and looked up at her. Her eyes were big with unshed tears. “I’m sorry about your mommy,” she finally said.
Sam glanced over Sophie’s shoulder and saw Alex looking at them with a gentle expression. She smiled softly when she met Sam’s gaze, and Sam’s heart seemed to open even more. She returned the smile and then looked back at Sophie. “Thank you, Sophie,” she said, quietly. “That really means a lot to me.”
Sophie beamed at her, then turned and hurried back to the car. “When I’m sad, my mom takes me to get chocolate!” She rummaged around in the back of the car and pulled out an enormous Tupperware. “So we made you brownies!” She walked back over to Sam and handed the container to her with a proud expression on her face. Sam opened the container for a look and had to admit that the brownies looked terrific.
“Sophie is an aspiring baker,” Alex explained. “Brownies are one of her specialties.”
“Did someone say brownies?” Adam’s voice called from the top of the roof. “Brad!” he called as he reached the ladder and began climbing down. “It’s break time!” He jumped off the last rung and walked over to Sam and Alex. Sam opened the container and held it out to him.
“Wait!” Sophie exclaimed. “Those brownies are for Sam! I don’t even know who you are.”
“Wow,” Adam said, shaking his head. “Tough crowd.” He crossed his arms and looked back at the little girl, sizing her up. The two stood at a standstill, looking at each other. Finally, Adam broke the staredown. “I have an idea.” He smiled. “How about we make a trade?”
Sophie squinted at him in skepticism. “What kind of trade?” Her tone was suspicious.
“I teach you how to do a very important job, and in return, you share a brownie with me.”
“What kind of job?” Sophie couldn’t keep the curiosity or excitement out of her voice.
“Come on,” Adam said, grabbing a brownie and leading the girl back toward the house. Sam could hear him explaining something to Sophie, gesturing animatedly. Sophie listened and then gestured back at him, showing him she understood.
“A battle of wits between the two children,” Brad remarked as he walked up to join the group. “Hey, Alex,” he said with a smile.
“Brownie?” Alex offered a smile of her own in return.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Brad grabbed a brownie. “Your daughter is adorable,” he observed. “You should bring her around sometime. She seems just about the same age as my oldest.”
Sam turned to look at him. “I didn’t know you had kids.”
“Well, that’s why we’re hanging out on Friday, right?” Brad asked. “So we can all catch up.” He took a bite of his brownie and then turned to Alex. “Hey, you should join us.” He pointed at her with his half-eaten treat.
Alex took a step back and glanced over at Sam. “Oh,” she murmured, waving her hand. “I don’t know. I don’t want to intrude if you all have something going on…” Her voice trailed off as she looked down at her feet.
Brad’s eyes darted back and forth between Alex and Sam, finally catching Sam’s eye. He flicked his gaze toward Alex. The silence was slightly awkward until Sam finally got the hint and spoke up. “Oh, no,” she croaked, then paused to clear her throat.“No.” Her tone was firmer this time. “You should totally join us, really, I mean, if you want to.” Sam realized she was mumbling and quickly snapped her mouth shut. She looked at Brad, who was struggling to smother a grin.
“Hey, Alex!” Adam called, breaking the awkward silence. The three turned to watch them. Adam was happily munching on his brownie while Sophie was methodically running a magnet over the yard to pick up loose nails. “She’s a natural!” He gestured at Sophie, who was sticking out her tongue in concentration. He grinned at them proudly. “You coming out with us tomorrow?” he asked, chewing around a mouthful of brownie.
Alex looked back at Sam. Her mouth opened, then closed. “I don’t know,” she finally said, eyes on Sam. “I don’t know if I’m invited.”
Sam felt her face flush, and her palms sweat as she felt all three pairs of eyes scrutinizing her. “Um, yeah,” she finally stammered, wiping her hands down her pants. “Of course you are.”
Alex’s bright, beaming smile made her heart beat faster. “Then I’ll be there.” Her eyes met and held Sam’s momentarily before she turned to the house. “Sophie!” she called. “It’s time to go meet Gran for lunch!”
At the mention of food, Sophie immediately dropped what she was doing and ran back over. “Thank God,” she said, wiping her brow. “I’ve worked up an appetite!”
Alex shook her head and said her goodbyes to the group. She reached out and touched Sam’s elbow. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” Her tone was soft and questioning.
“Of course.” Sam nodded. “Tomorrow.”
“Great!” With another beaming smile, she turned and walked back to her car. The three watched as Alex helped buckle Sophie in and then climbed into the front seat and started the car. Seeing them watching her, she threw them a last little wave and backed out of the driveway. Finally, when the taillights disappeared, Sam turned to the guys.
“What the hell was that?” she hissed at them.
Both of them looked back at her innocently. “I don’t knowwhat you’re talking about,” Adam said as he reached in and grabbed his third brownie.
Brad looked back at her and threw her a wink. “Time to get back to work.” He strolled back toward the house, munching on his brownie. They kept turning to look back at her with big, goofy grins on their faces.
