Page 23 of Friends That Heal Us
A small frown forms. “You all can stay. I need to take a break, anyway,” I say and pull out a couple of chairs from the table, motioning for them to sit.
“Are you sure?” Annie questions
I wave them over. “Yes. Of course.” I walk back over to the kitchen, grab a plate and place chocolate chip cookies on it. “Do you three want some chocolate chip cookies?”
“You don’t need to give them your orders,” Ezra says, still standing with his arms crossed over.
“I’m not. These are extras. I usually always make extra for Za—” I cut myself off and smile to avoid what I was going to say. I place the plate of cookies on the table. “Do you want anything to drink?” I head back into the kitchen and open the fridge.
“Mmm. A glass of milk would go great with these,” Sean says with his mouth half full. “Oh my god, Violet. These are delicious.”
My face lights up with a wide smile. “Thank you.”
I set down four glasses of milk and sit in front of Ezra’s parents. It’s been a while since I’ve actually sat down and enjoyed my own baked goods.
“Son, you better keep her around. Because these are good,” he says, licking the chocolate off his finger.
All three of us laugh while Ez shakes his head. “Dad.”
Sean shrugs his shoulders. “I’m just saying.” He pauses for a moment. “Can I have another?”
I scoot the plate closer to him. “Of course.”
Annie looks up at me, swallowing her bite. “You’ll have to come over and have dinner with us sometime. We would love to have you.”
“I would love that,” I say, looking between the both of them, then over to Ezra, who has a small smile on his face staring at all three of us.
I expected them to ask me questions, but just like Ezra, they don’t push. His parents have always been good people. I remember all the times growing up that his mom would feed us during the summer months while our parents were working. She was a stay at home mom and let all the neighbor kids go over to their house during the summer. Ezra’s house was the place to be. And Annie. Poor Annie. When I look back at it now, she not only kept an eye on us all summer long, and she not only fed me—she fed everyone. I know my parents gave them money, but I’m not sure about the other kids’ parents. She would never turn down a hungry kid.
Thinking about my parents, I realize I haven’t talked to them or told them what has been going on. They were able to retire early, and they’ve been traveling the world. I should probably check in with them.
“Well, we should let you get back to work,” Annie’s soft voice says.
All four of us get up from our seats. Sean reaches over and grabs another cookie.
“For the road,” he says.
“Honey, that’s three cookies in under ten minutes,” Annie replies.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t blame me. It’s Violet’s fault they’re so good.”
I chuckle at his remark. “I’m glad you like them.”
After we say our goodbyes, I get back into the kitchen and continue baking. My heart feels lighter after that quick visit. I’ve missed his parents and forgotten how cute and loving they are, not only with each other but to others. I’ll for sure have to take up their offer to have dinner with them.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
VIOLET
“Didyou get everything moved out of your place?” I ask, standing outside the room that Ezra will be staying in.
It’s an extra bedroom I have that was supposed to be a guest room or kid’s room when the time came. Thank God the kid one never came. But I still never turned it into a guest room. I put so much money towards my business I didn’t have any extra to buy spare bedroom furniture, and Zayn never cared about it.
Ezra bought a brand new mattress because he said there is no way in hell he was going to use the same bed he slept in with Rya. The way he said it made me laugh because he sounded disgusted with her, but then I started thinking of myself. I’m still sleeping in the same bed I shared with Zayn. I bought new bedding and threw away the old one, but this was before I knew Ezra would be staying with me and helping with the mortgage. So that’s the only new stuff I bought in case I needed the money.
“Yeah.” He sighs, dropping himself onto his mattress that sits on the floor. “I forgot how exhausting moving can be.”
I look over at him, and I can see the tiredness behind his eyes. “Sorry I couldn’t help you.”
