Espresso In The Morning

“I’m a damn softy.”

“Yes, but a lovable softy.” She lifted the paint can. “We’re almost out.”

“I’ll go. I need to pick up a few things for The Stop at the building supply store.”

“Thank you, my love. No hurry, though. Tomorrow is fine. I’m done for the day. It’s Friday night. You should be off having fun.” His mother set down the can and wiped her hands on a rag. “And, Lucas...”

“Yes, Madre?”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to pull you out of it.”

He climbed from the ladder and hugged her. “You did the best you could for a kid with sadistic-father issues.”

She smacked his arm. “You turned out okay. Even though you’re still trying to save everyone.”

“Well, I’d like to think so.”

* * *

CLAIRE PULLED INTO her mother’s driveway Friday afternoon. She handed Grey his duffel bag from the backseat. “Are you sure you packed everything you need?”

“Yes, Mom, you checked it twice. I have clean underwear and my toothbrush.”

“Good. It’s just that you don’t have extra stuff here, like you do at Aunt Becca’s.”

“I know.” He scrunched his mouth to one side. “Maybe I should leave some extra stuff here.”

She frowned. Did Grey want to start hanging out more at her mother’s? “Do you mean for more overnights?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Well, yeah, that would be cool. I was just thinking...you know...for after school instead of soccer.” He peered at her expectantly.

“Oh.” She turned fully to him, scooting around in the driver’s seat. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. I know I kind of left you hanging.”

He nodded.

“Well, I did talk to Gram and she said she’d love to have you in the afternoons.”

Again, he nodded, but his gaze fell to the floor. He didn’t comment.

“You were right, of course. She loves hanging out with you. She can’t get enough.”

He remained silent, his gaze downcast.

“I was thinking about what you said, though—about me working from home and staying with you after school.”

“Really?” His gaze locked on hers. “You actually thought about it?” he asked.

“I did, Grey, and...” She hesitated, almost afraid to say the words, but maybe it was time.

“And?”

“And I think we should give it a try,” she said, raising her hands in a wide gesture. “Worst-case scenario, we head to the coffee shop if I go batty. It’s actually kind of peaceful there—not sure why I like it—but you should be okay doing homework there.”

He frowned. “But we’re going to try at home first?”

She squeezed his arm. “Yes, honey, we’ll try it at home first, starting Monday. I’ll pick you up from school.”

“Or I can ride the bus.”

“Do you like riding the bus?” she asked.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind if it’s easier for you that way,” he said as he opened his door. “Cool, let’s tell Gram.”

She smiled. At least Grey was happy. Her mom was likely to be disappointed to not be spending more time with him and heaven knew Claire was apprehensive.

But then again, what wouldn’t she do for her son?

“Hey, Mom, I know why you like the coffee shop,” Grey said, turning to her, grinning, as they headed up the driveway.

“Really? Why?”

“The coffee-shop guy—he’s kind of cool.”

She stopped, surprised. “Lucas?”

Grey continued up the front steps. “Yes, ma’am, Lucas,” he said. “He’s a good guy. Don’t you think?”

“Sure,” she said, frowning. “But why would that make me like the coffee shop?”

His shoulders lifted in an easy shrug. “I think he kind of likes you.”

“What? Why would you think that?” Heat filled her cheeks.

“He gave you whipped cream on your Americano.”

“So? That doesn’t mean anything,” she said.

“Really?” Grey shrugged again. “It’s extra and you didn’t even ask for it, but if you say so.”

“I do say so,” she said. “It was just whipped cream.”

“Okay.” Grey smiled. “Well, either way, I like him. I think he’d be cool to hang out with.”

Claire stared after Grey as he reached the last step. He wanted to hang out with Lucas. She sighed. He still needed a good male role model. She’d have to suck it up and go back to the BBBS.

CHAPTER EIGHT

LUCAS INHALED THE scent of lumber as he headed into the building supply store. He needed Spackle to patch the hole in the wall of the stockroom and new brackets for the shelves he wanted to install once that was done.