Janelle tossed her pen onto her desk and leaned back in her chair. “And how did that go?”
I sat down in her guest chair and told her what I knew, which wasn’t much. MJ had seemed happier on Sunday than he’d been on Saturday, but he hadn’t mentioned his visit with Maria and I hadn’t pressed him about it.
“Do you think he’s changed his mind about wanting to live with her?” Janelle asked.
I considered it before I answered. “No. I think there’s a part of him that’s still angry with her, but at the end of the day, MJ will go where Sofia goes and Sofia was very happy to see Maria again.”
“Sorry,” Janelle said.
I shrugged. I hadn’t expected MJ to change his mind. “In some ways I have the best of both worlds. I still see MJ all the time, but I no longer have to remind him to put his dirty clothes in the hamper and yell at him to go to bed.”
She let out a laugh. “Except for the part about having to pay his tuition.”
“It’s only for a year.” The Winston Academy had assured me MJ would be eligible for a scholarship next year if he maintained a B average. He would’ve been eligible this year, but he’d applied too late; all the financial aid money was already gone.
“That’s more than most foster parents would do. And you’re not even his foster parent.”
I didn’t mind. I considered it a good use of the money from Jonah’s second life insurance policy. “Did you know he calls me his Lawyer Mom?”
“No, although I think a more accurate description of you would be his benefactor.”
“Well, I do have great expectations.”
Chapter 5
The following Saturday I drove MJ and Sofia to the Wellstone Center again because Richard had promised Jayden he’d take him to a job fair and Tim was home watching the rest of the kids. My heart still raced when I drove up the Center’s long driveway, but the palpitations didn’t last as long as they had the week before. Again I waited with MJ and Sofia on the patio until Maria and Dr. Simpson appeared and led them inside. This time while I sat under the shade tree, I looked up from my phone every few minutes to make sure Dr. Stetler wasn’t nearby.
When their visit with their mother ended and I asked MJ how it went, this time he answered me.
“S’okay. Can we get lunch? I’m starving.”
I took that as a good sign.
After lunch I drove MJ and Sofia back to Tim and Richard’s house. This time both of their cars were parked in the driveway.
“Perfect timing,” Tim said, as the three of us filed into the kitchen. The counter was covered with sliced bread, salad fixings, and an assortment of meats, cheeses, and condiments. “It’s Make Your Own Sandwich Day.”
“I’m in,” MJ said, grabbing a plate.
“You just ate!” Only half an hour ago he’d wolfed down a chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and a large drink. Sofia had only eaten a handful of chicken nuggets, but she didn’t want a sandwich. Instead, she headed straight for the cat, who saw her coming and hid under the sofa.
“So?” MJ said, slapping lunchmeat onto a slice of bread.
He ate more than anyone I knew, but like most teenage boys, his body burned up the calories. He was also getting taller and starting to fill out. I wasn’t rail thin anymore either, but since all my clothes still fit me, I didn’t feel guilty plucking a chocolate chip cookie off the dessert plate.
After each child, except Sofia who was down on her knees in the living room meowing at the cat to try to lure him out from his hiding place, had made a sandwich Richard ordered them all into the backyard with their plates. “I just vacuumed,” he said apologetically. “I can’t face all the crumbs again.”
“Trust me, I understand. I love a clean house.”
“See?” Richard said to Tim. “I’m not the only one.”
“She lives alone, darling. We have six children. Clean is a concept you need to let go of.” Then Tim turned away from Richard and rolled his eyes. “Tonight’s the big night, right?”
“If by big night, you mean my date with Daniel, then yes.”
“And what are you wearing?” Tim asked.
“I’m not sure.” I’d been worrying about it all week. I’d even went shopping after work one night, but I couldn’t find anything I liked. Maybe it would’ve helped if I knew what I was looking for. “Can I just wear pants, or do I need to wear a dress?”
“Dress,” Richard said, at the same time Tim said, “Pants.”
“She’s got great legs,” Richard told him. “She should show them off.”
“A dress will make her look like she’s trying too hard,” Tim replied, then turned to me. “Unless he’s taking you somewhere fancy.”
“I have no idea where we’re going.” After I nixed the bike ride, I’d suggested dinner. Daniel said he’d make a reservation, but he didn’t tell me where.
Tim pursed his lips. “He’s a high school math teacher. I’m not thinking he’s splurging for fancy on a first date. Go with business casual.”
“Business casual,” I said to myself as I stared at my side of the walk-in closet. I could’ve spread my clothes out to Jonah’s side of the closet, but I hadn’t. I also hadn’t slept on his side of the bed.
After trying on several combinations of pants and shirts, I finally settled on dark jeans, a red silk tank top, and high heels. I’d texted Daniel earlier and offered to meet him at the restaurant—a good way to find out where we were going without having to come right out and ask—but he’d just texted me back and said he was happy to pick me up at my house unless that would make me feel unsafe. I didn’t want him to think I didn’t trust him, so I agreed.
Daniel arrived promptly at seven-thirty wearing gray cotton pants and a black button-down shirt. Apparently, he was going for business casual too.
“You look great,” he said as I pulled the front door shut behind me.
I probably did compared to the way I’d looked at the beach. My hair wasn’t in a ponytail and my face wasn’t shiny from sunscreen. I was even wearing makeup and jewelry.
