Drew nodded. “Right.”
Kacey fiddled with her napkin. “We’ll keep in touch, right?”
“Of course.”
“Your friendship means so much to me. I’m sorry we missed out on so many years.”
“I am too.” He reached across the table and took her hands in his. “I promise I’ll do better this time.”
“Me too,” she said softy.
Drew walked into Garrett’s classroom Monday afternoon.
Garrett looked up from his desk. “Hey, man, what’s up?”
“I got the job in Newton.” Drew sank down on one of the chairs in the front row.
Garrett’s face lit up. “That’s great.”
“Thanks.” Drew rested his right ankle on his left knee. “My father, who only cares about money, said I should take it.”
Garrett stood up and walked around the desk before sitting on the edge of it. “But it sounds like you don’t want to take it.”
“Not really.” Drew pursed his lips and crossed is arms over his chest. “Tomorrow I’m going to Charlotte to interview for the music teacher position there.”
“And that’s the job you want,” Garrett said.
“Yes. I want to go there with Kacey and start a life with her.”
“Have you told her this?”
“No, not yet. I want to get the job first.”
Garrett nodded. “And what if you don’t get the job?”
“Then I’ll have to think of something else.”
“Good,” Garrett said. “Oh, you had asked me about IT jobs with the school system. You have a friend who is looking for one, right?”
Drew nodded. “That’s right.”
“I have a lead for you.” Garrett handed him a piece of paper. “Have your friend call Rich Monroe. He has an opening.”
Drew took the paper. “Thank you. I’ll give Travis a call.”
“I can’t believe you convinced me to close the bakery today and go shopping with you,” Dani said Tuesday morning as she walked inside the small mall located a few miles from the town of Splendid Lake with Kacey and their mother. “You know I need to work.”
Kacey faced her sister, pulled a thick envelope out of her purse, and handed it to her. “Merry Christmas, sis.”
“What is this?” Dani asked, her blue eyes wide.
Kacey shared a smile with Mom and then looked at her sister again. “Just open it, Dani.”
Her sister opened the envelope and gasped at the bills stuffed inside. “I-I can’t take this.” With her eyes misting over, Dani pushed the envelope back toward Kacey.
“No, I insist. I was saving for a down payment on a condo, but my friend Jackie called me and said she’s looking for a roommate. So, I wanted to give you and Travis this money so you can buy the girls gifts and then use the rest for bills until something works out for Travis. Please take it. This is my Christmas gift for you.”
Dani’s lip trembled as she pulled Kacey in for a tight hug. “You’re the best sister on the planet, Kacey.”
