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“Thanks, honey. I was told to relax and baking helps me do that. Plus, your sister gave me this peach cobbler recipe. She said it was your favorite.”
My gaze darts to Bri as she shoves a large bite of cobbler into her mouth. “Mmm. This is good,” she mumbles around a mouth full of peaches and crumble.
“Sit down. I’ll get you a piece.” Mom directs me to the empty seat next to Bri and grabs a small plate from the cupboard. She scoops up a still warm piece and places it in front of me. I dig my fork in and take a bite. It’s sweet and delectable, just like her. But I’d pick her over this cobbler any day.
Wanting to cut to the chase, I ask, “So what did you need to talk about? Any health news? Did they find anything about the fire?”
“To answer all your questions, no new health news. We heard about the fire. Apparently, it originated in the basement and by the time it spread to the main floor it was so big it was hard to control. But the cause of the fire is inconclusive.”
“What does that mean with the insurance?”
“We’ll get some insurance money.”
“But not enough to pay for a new building.” My fork drops to the plate with a clatter.
“No. It won’t. But this came in the mail today.” Mom slides a square, stamped envelope in my direction.
Flipping it over, I open the already broken flap and pull out two items. I turn over the thick cardstock. I gloss over the script text. An invitation. “What is this?” I hold up the paper.
“It’s an invitation for a charity event. To raise money for The Lilith House.”
My eyebrows knit together, confusion covering my face. “Did you organize this?”
Mom shakes her head and points to the other paper. “Read that.”
Unfolding the other paper, I scan the words. Holy shit. My gaze darts up to meet Mom’s. A beaming smile covers her face.
“The Blue Stone Group has donated a building to The Lilith House. We don’t need to worry about a new building. And that…” Mom points to the cardstock paper, “is an invitation for a charity auction to help raise money for additional funding we may need.”
“That’s so amazing, Mom,” Bri exclaims. “Isn’t that wonderful Seth?”
I stare down at the two papers again in disbelief. “Yeah. It is.” But I don’t understand why The Blue Stone Group would do all this for me and my family after my sudden departure.
Later that night on my way home I decide to swing by Bennett’s house since it’s on the way. When I pull into his driveway, a soft glow shines from the large picture window informing me someone’s home. Putting my car into park, I climb out and walk up the shoveled sidewalk until I reach the porch. Before I can raise my hand to knock the door opens, a large shadow fills the frame.
“Hey, man. Saw you drive up. Come on in.” Bennett moves out of the doorway, and I step past him. “What brings you here?”
I remove my shoes and jacket and follow him into the living room. Charlie is sitting cross legged on the couch knitting something. Bennett takes a seat next to her and I sit in a recliner opposite them. “I was at my parents’ house, and they got something interesting in the mail. What do you know about a charity auction for The Lilith House?”
“Oh, about that—”
“That was all Parisa,” Charlie interrupts.
“What do you mean?”
Charlie sets her knitting needles on the couch cushion. “Parisa set that up. She convinced The Blue Stone Group to donate the building and she’s been working tirelessly day and night on arranging everything from the location, food, and auction items.”
My chest tightens. I stare straight ahead, forgetting to blink. Parisa did all this. I can’t believe it.
“We all called in some favors to help raise as much money as possible. We all know how much The Lilith House means to you and your family,” Bennett says.
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank us. It was all Parisa’s idea.” Bennett leans back on the couch and crosses his leg over his knee.
“She really cares for you. She knows she made some mistakes and now she’s trying to right those mistakes.” Charlie leans forward to look at me.
For the next hour, I tell Bennett and Charlie about the cause of the fire being inconclusive, my mom’s health, and how I’ll be working at The Lilith House now. But the entire time my thoughts are on Parisa. And now armed with this new information, I’m more confused than ever.
