Page 136 of Seasons of Love
“Boys, my man’s meat is almost ready,” Alice says, laughing at her own joke. “Ellis, do you mind if I borrow Milo for a moment?”
“Sure.”
I follow Alice, grateful for the interruption.
Was I about to tell Ellis my story? It’s not a secret, but the only people who really know it are my neighbors who knew my brother. Most just assume I had a drunken experimental night with some girl and Sara magically happened.
We go through the kitchen to the garage.
“Milo, please feel free to refuse or tell me to fuck off, but the thing is, you’d be doing me a favor,” Alice says, stopping beside their car.
“I don’t understand. Why would I do that?”
She grabs a box from a small stack and opens it. Inside is a bunch of baby clothes.
“These were Marnie’s clothes. I held on to all of them in case we had another girl. I kept anything that I could for Benji, except things like dresses or clothes that didn’t fit. He was always a little bigger than Marnie was when she was born.”
I stare at her as she pulls out some beautiful, colorful dresses and pretty shoes that look expensive and of good quality.
“They’re adorable, right? I went a little over the top. First child and all.” She laughs. “I’d like you to have them for Sara.”
For the second time in a short time span, I’m speechless and on the verge of tears.
“I don’t know what to say. You should give these to your friends, or you can probably sell them online,” I say.
She takes my hand. “From one mother to another”—she winks—“I’d rather know the clothes I picked so carefully for my first baby are with someone who deserves them. I know you’re only working in my brother’s backyard, but I haven’t seen him smile or relax in months. Maybe years. I think you’re a good person to have around. There’s no one else I’d rather see wearing these clothes than your daughter.”
I take a step forward and give her a tight hug. “Thank you so much. I am grateful and honored that you’ve picked Sara to wear Marnie’s clothes. We’ll look after them.”
When we part, she reaches for my face and wipes the tears I didn’t realize were falling.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry on you.”
“It’s okay, honey. I was hoping you wouldn’t take offense at me being so forward or think of it as charity.”
I smile. “Thank you for taking my feelings into consideration. I’m not offended. I’m grateful I can use my paycheck for other important things for Sara and not worry about the clothes she grows out of so quickly. And I’m so grateful you invited us today. Sara is having a great time.”
I take some clothes from the box to admire how cute they are.
“You’ll have a hard time prying her from Darius’s hands. He acts all tough, but he’s dying to have a family. He just doesn’t have the time between work and his band.”
“Sounds like he’s not the only Bradford brother to want a family.” I gasp. “Crap, I’m sorry, that was out of line. I was distracted looking at the clothes and wasn’t thinking. Please—”
“Hey, don’t worry. I know my brothers. Both of them,” Alice says. “And you’re right.” Her face falls. “Ellis was seriously hurt before, so he says he’s written off love and having a family. I hope the right person comes along to show him it’s never too late.”
“He’s not even old at all,” I say.
“He’s forty-two. You’re right. Not old at all.” She smiles, and a glint in her eyes tells me this little conversation between us means more than the words we’ve just exchanged. “Come on. Let’s get some food.”
By the time we get back out, Sara is on Ellis’s lap, sucking on a piece of fruit.
“She keeps yawning,” he says. “I think Darius wore her out.”
I hold my arms out, and she stretches to come to me. I get a lovely piece of sticky, partly chewed apple on my neck as she holds on to my shirt.
“She might need a drink. It’s quite hot.”
“I’ve already given her some from your bag.”
