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I was about to open my mouth and ask her what she saw but Gyth walked back into the room. He looked at me and then at his wife.
He studied Summer’s face. “Lord, it never ends.” He chuckled. “What are you up to now, Sunshine?”
Summer didn’t have a chance to answer because Zander burst through the door.
“Rowan, Rowan, want to see my G.I. Joes?” he chirped excitedly.
He slammed into my leg, grabbing onto it with one hand while holding a tiny backpack in the other.
“Mommy bought me a whole bunch of new ones after mine melted in the fire.”
Everyone in the room was focused on him and it was hard not to notice the sullen faces as they took in what Zander had just said. Kids seemed to be more resilient than adults but losing everything for a child seemed as if it would be devastating. Yet, Zander seemed happy and thankful for what his mother had started to replace.
We could’ve all taken a page out of his book.
Looking down at the monkey hanging from my legs, I smiled as he started pulling his toys from his backpack. His zest was contagious and once again I found myself bending down to his level almost as eager as him to play with his Army guys.
“Did you know I was in the Army and wore a uniform like this?”
His eyes widened. “Wow, so cool. I want to be in the Army just like you.”
I heard someone suck in a breath and looked over to see Brinley’s face almost turn pale. I had a feeling it wasn’t the first time her son may have mentioned wanting to be like his G.I. Joes, but hearing him say like me, well that was probably in a whole different ballpark. Especially when his dad was a Marine.
Not wanting to rain on the kid’s parade, I tried to steer the direction away from me but still acknowledged his eagerness.
“You can be anything you want to be and those are some awesome toys,” I told him. “We can play anytime you want, but it has to be okay with your mom.”
I never was around kids until I came to Portland and started working with the guys atNo Surrender.The thought had made me cringe because all I could think about was my sister.
And what if I hurt another innocent child?
However, I hadn’t been able to get out of being around the group's kids all the time. They had slowly started to grow on me, but it still wasn’t always easy. Memories still crept in and took me for a spin in the land of sorrow.
With Zander, I found myself even more drawn to him and unable to tear myself away, though his mother was probably wishing I would vanish again. I snuck a peek at her one more time and confirmed that was most likely what she was thinking right then.
“Mom, Mom, can Rowan play with me?”
Plastering on a fake smile for her son and the audience we had, she made an excuse and let him down easily.
“Maybe another time, baby. We need to get settled in and put your things away. Then you get to help me go grocery shopping.”
I didn’t have a clue how grocery shopping trumped playing, but it certainly worked on the little guy. He was jumping up and down like a jackrabbit, dropped his bag, toys forgotten, and ran over to his mom.
“Yay. Can I put everything in the cart and pick out one candy at the end?” he asked her in a pleading tone.
“You bet. That sounds fair for being my helper.”
“Yippee! I’m going to put my bag in my room.” He ran back toward me, scooping up his stuff, and took off down the hall.
Brinley glanced around the room, an unsure look on her face. Gyth, who'd been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up and saved her from finding any words.
“Well, we better get back to the house and let you get settled. You have our numbers so you call us if you need anything at all.”
“Thank you,” Brinley told him as both he and Summer moved toward her by the door.
When Summer reached her, she gave Brin a quick hug. Then I heard her say, “I’ll call you tomorrow but you can call me before if needed.”
Brinley whispered another thank you and then the couple left, leaving me there alone with the one woman who wished I was anywhere else but standing in her living room. I stood from where I had been squatting and walked slowly toward her.
