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“Oh, darling, if I go down there, I ain’t comin’ back up!” and she cackles delightfully. “Where’s your hubby?”
“At the court with the kids!” I raise a thumb toward it. “Scoring point after point on a bunch of eight-year-olds!”
The elderly woman places both hands on her hips, and then puffs up her chest, looking at the court with a smile: Alex is being swarmed by the kids and trying to flee the space, but Harlan, who should be on his side, seems to be commanding the troops against him.
When he finally sets himself free, Alex comes trotting our way, and wipes the sweat off his brow in a comical stance of one saying, ‘Finally I escaped!’
“Boy!” Mrs. Winslow opens up her arms to receive Alex’s hug. “When are we moving to the ‘burbs?”
Alex’s dream housing project, named Lasting Hopes, is in the outskirts of San Francisco and is almost done. Mrs. Winslow and her grandchildren were one of the families selected to move there, and as with everyone else, they’re anxious for the move.
“Summer next year, Mrs. Winslow,” Alex says. “Just so the moving is easier, and the kids don’t have to change schools in the middle of the school year.”
Mrs. Winslow holds on tight to Alex again, face pressed against his chest and a huge, happy grin plastered on her face. “Boy, you don’t know what you mean to us! Thank you for being who you are!”
And Alex pulls back to look at her, smiling like a fool, “No need to thank me, my friend. Just enjoy everything and teach the children that it is always worth it to help others.”
The woman’s eyes gleam with hope, and she says to Alex, looking solemn, “If Jason could be half the man you are, boy, then I will be more than proud…”
“He’ll do far more than I have done, Mrs. Winslow!” and it’s Alex who squeezes her this time.
She bids Alex her goodbyes and goes to check on a group of other older ladies sitting under a tree. And Alex sits with me and Iris, drooling all over the girl the moment he approaches her.
“How’s my baby girl?” he says, picking her up and placing her in between his legs. She protests, but only until she is touching the sand again.
“Must be nice to be able to come here and collect the fruits of your labors, huh?” I tease Alex, but he shakes his head immediately.
“You know I don’t care about those things…” he says, humble. “But the hugs are nice.”
I lean forward to kiss his cheek, and then look in the direction of the basketball court.
Harlan is getting along with the other kids just fine, just as he gets along with his friends from school.
Alex is entertained by Iris, tossing sand to all corners available, when I notice a familiar figure approaching the children. The lean body type, the gangster gait; all there’s missing is a gun in his hand for me to freak out and explode.
“Take care of Iris, I’ll be right back,” I say with agency, standing up and dashing toward the court.
It’s him. It’s been more than two years, but it’s him. I know that it’s the kid who pointed a pistol at me, and I’m not about to let him get close to Harlan and the kids.
“Hey!” I shout, calling for his attention. “Are you armed?”
The kid holds his hands high and takes a step back to get away from me.
“No, lady!” he says in disbelief, but I do not believe him.
I go bright red. “Well, you pointed a gun at me before!”
“Oh!” the boy rolls his eyes with realization. “You’re Mr. Winters’ girlfriend, right?”
“Try wife!” I curl my fists with a white-knuckled grasp, and white seething wrath coming out of my mouth.
“Listen, lady…” he approaches a step, but I’m the one who takes a step back this time. He then lifts his shirt, showing a clear waistband, and continues. “Since I got in trouble for what I did to you, I haven’t gotten in trouble for anything else! And Mr. Winters, he directed me to go to the Army, and I’ll be joining next year. And I’ve tried drugs, but never again, I’m clean, Mrs. Winters!”
“You’re an example to your peers, Simon,” Alex’s voice comes from behind me, approaching slowly with Iris in his arms. “I’m glad you’re finding your way in life.”
“Thanks to you, Mr. Winters!” Simon beams at Alex’s words.
“No, it’s thanks to you!” Alex taps Simon’s arm. “I just gave you some nudges in the right direction, but the will to do it is all yours.”
