Page 7 of The Saint

They needed this, and there wasn’t a single thing inside of me that could stop me from offering my help.

“Have fun, kid,” I threw at Gil while lightly punching Tyrone in the shoulder. “Later, loser.”

“Later, brother. Take care of Mrs. T.”

“Always do.” With my hand on her back, I steered the old woman through the park as I called a car with the app on my phone. The guy that picked us up gave the sweaty shirts wrapped around Mrs. T’s waist a look as I helped her inside, but he didn’t turn us away. Instead, with tepid air pumping from the dash, he drove off across the city toward the East River.

Mrs. T stared out the window like a child, eyes full of wonder as the tall buildings surrounding us passed by. She seemed more herself when the driver pulled to the curb and I helped her out. Looked at me as if she might remember who I was as I unlocked her apartment door and ushered her inside.

“Such a good boy,” she murmured, hand on my arm, giving a gentle squeeze. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

Hope fluttered through me for a moment before it crashed back down.

“Remind me when Edgar gets home, and he’ll get you a dollar.” The old woman shuffled across the living room floor, taking a seat in her favorite rocking chair.

The chair where her husband, Edgar, had passed peacefully eight years ago.

Closing and locking the door behind me, I swept my gaze across the apartment. Scattered randomly around the rooms were reminders of the child who lived within the walls. Sweaty socks, a pair of gym shorts, down the hall a single tennis shoe. In the kitchen, a bowl with remnants of this morning’s cereal and a cup with a half-inch of orange juice left in the bottom sat on opposite sides of the sink.

With a sigh, I started cleaning up. Placing Tyler’s things in his bedroom, cleaning his dishes, and starting a load of laundry while Mrs. T took a nap. By the time the sun had shifted in the sky, darkening the apartment enough that I needed to turn on the lights, the smells of chicken roasting in the oven were drifting to my nose as the television flickered across the room.

Keys jingled in the door, Tyler’s excited voice coming through the crack. His energy preceded him into the room, the kid so full of life it felt like I was missing something inside of me every time I left. Those same light brown eyes his grandmother sported found me the minute he stepped in the room, and I put aside the sketch pad I’d been drawing in.

“Rolly!” His loud voice boomed, the boy making it across the living room in three long jumps. “Rolly! You’re here!”

He threw himself into my lap, wrapping his skinny arms around my neck. The door clicked behind him, and I looked up. Penny stood there, watching us, happiness and sorrow and love flooding from her, so thick it made my still-aching chest pull tight.

“Hey, Ty,” I murmured, giving the kid a squeeze. “Good day at camp?”

“The absolute best!” He scrambled out of my lap, mouth running a thousand miles an hour. “Coach had us shooting free throws and I made more than anyone else. And Jack came in second, and he said it was okay because he knew I worked hard and he was happy for me.”

“Tyler,” Penny interrupted, grabbing his shoulders to hold him still. “Why don’t you go hop in the shower before supper.”

“Yeah, kid, you kinda stink,” I told him, knocking my fist against his chest.

He rolled his eyes, that wide smile of his growing despite the request. “Fine, but only a short one.”

“And hang up the towel when you’re done, please,” Penny called after him as he raced down the hall. She turned to me as I stood, shaking her head. “You’re here.”

I tried to shrug, but it was hard when she wrapped her arms around my waist, snagging one of my arms in a hug. Her tight black braids were damp with sweat, as if she, too, had been running around at basketball camp. My lips grazed her temple and she let out a sigh.

“Where’d you find her?”

“Central Park,” I told her, letting her go. “She, uh…” I dragged my palm across my jaw, tossing a look at the old woman focused on her game show on the screen. “She wasn’t wearing pants.”

“Oh, Mariel.” Penny looked up at me, and it was the only thing about her that didn’t deflate. Shoulders dragging, arms crossed over her chest, Penny looked as if she couldn’t take much more of this life. “I was so hopeful this time. I was sure this one would stick.”

“I know.” There was nothing to do except pull her back into my chest, giving her an ounce of comfort she desperately needed. There was nothing to do, except… “I’ll watch her tomorrow.”

“Rolly.” Penny tipped her chin up, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “You don’t have to—”

I stopped her with a finger to her lips. “I want to.”

Penny lifted onto her toes, pulling my finger away in order to press a kiss to my cheek. Soft lips touched the corner of my mouth before she whispered, “Thank you.”

The shrug I couldn’t give earlier tugged at my shoulders. “I like hanging out with her.”

“Pssh.” She pulled back, giving me a look. I’d seen Tyler whither under that look. I’d seen men in the neighborhood cower under that very glare. “Don’t you lie to me, Rolly. I’d like to think at least one person in my life tells me the truth.”