The day had been long. The bus ride was almost over. Abby dreaded what she would have to face when she got home. Silently David sat beside her, absorbed in the music only his ears could hear. She was thankful for his presence. He had been her little knight in shining armor that morning when she stepped on the bus. It seemed everyone had heard about Chester's wreck and as the story was told he had run into a pole at a gay bar. Abby had no idea if this was true or not. Once David left her, she had to face the trip to the high school alone, and she had heard the half whispers, felt the stares, and known she was the topic of interest. School had passed one awkward moment at a time. She came into rooms and hallways and was met by curiosity or sudden hushed conversations. One stupid kids asked, "So you old man is a Fag?" The word had stung in her ears. It was a slur, with meanness and attached to violent hatred. No matter how much she disliked Chester, she didn’t want to have him referred to like that. Over the course of the day, she realized, she didn’t not hate Chester, she didn’t like him but she also not know him really. Would she ever have a chance to know him? Did she want to? The bus turned down her street. A black shiny rental car was in her drive. The bus stopped. She glanced at David before she stood up. He gave her an encouraging smile.

Outside the bus, the wind was sharp coming off the bay. The white wings of a gull sliced through the clear blue of the sky. The sight of it gave her courage. She pressed her lips together and walked inside. Through Chester's closed bedroom door, music played. His fingers stumbled across the strings of the guitar. He swore. Then silence.

Grammy came out of the kitchen. She saw Abby and rushed into her arms. Against her neck, she whispered, "I talked to Susan. Honey, I wanted you. I wanted you so much. The instant I heard I was going to be a grandma, I knew God was giving me another chance to love, and I took it. "

The music began to play again. It was that song, that song that Chester struggled with every day.

Abby pulled away from Grammy and kissed her cheek. "I needed to hear that."

"I know you did. I should have said it sooner."

*

Soon the sun would set. Abby wanted to watch the changing light dance over the water. The house was silent. No piano students plunked on the keys. Chester had taken his pain medication and was sleeping. Abby had yet to see him, not that she really wanted to, but she was curious about how he looked. She went into the living room, Grammy lay on the couch reading a novel. Abby told her, "I'm gonna go for a short ride."

"Be back before dark."

"Yes, Ma'am." She headed outside. The wind hit her full in the face. It was even colder and sharper than it had been when she got off the bus. It was going to be tough riding against the wind. She decided to walk instead. She didn't take the road, but cut across the pilings. She was watching her feet and not the sky line. Distant voices made her suddenly look up. It was Ryan and some girl. He leaned forward and kissed her. It was not like the kiss he had given Abby. There was a hunger in it, that made Abby flush red. She turned back toward home. The heart was such a funny thing. She had not wanted Ryan's attention, but now that she had lost it, it hurt.

*

When Abby got home from school Thursday afternoon, Jaspar was slowly playing his scales. Abby went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk. Jaspar switched to “Yankee Doodle.” Abby hated that song almost as much at “The Animal Fair.”

The front door opened and closed. Abby heard the sound of flip-flops. David came into the kitchen. He went straight to her and gave her a big hug. He asked, "How is my Juliet?"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Unperturbed by his hug, she said, "Fine." She had ceased to take him for granted.

David let go of her and went to the refrigerator. As he opened it, he said, “Mom sent me over here to get a sweater for Chester.”

"We don't keep sweaters in the refrigerator."

David pulled out a cup of pudding. "Nope, but you do have these, and I love these almost as much as I love you."

Abby rolled her eyes.

After getting a spoon, David went into Chester's room. "Chester said he had a blue sweater in his closet. Mom says he looks good in blue. Did you know she is painting his picture?"

"No." Why would Lila want to paint Chester's portrait? He looked terrible.

David came out with the sweater. He asked, “Want to come see the picture?”

“Is Ryan there?”

“No.”

“Okay.” Abby followed David across the street and into the house.

Lila was at her easel in the sunroom and Chester was leaned back on the wicker love seat. All around Lila’s easel were pictures of Chester. Some were from when he was little, others were more recent—like before the accident. Abby studied the portrait. The Chester in the painting wasn't so thin. There weren't any dark circles under his eyes and he didn't have that awful gash with stitches on his forehead.

David handed Chester the sweater and he pulled it over his shirt. Lila said, “That is much better.” Abby couldn’t see how. Chester still looked awful.Lila told Chester, "Smile."

Chester obeyed. It was a fake smile. As Lila painted the lips, Abby noticed the smile in the picture was real. It looked exactly like the smile in all Chester's little boy pictures. Lila wasn't painting him the way he really was, she was painting him the way she saw him in her heart. Abby pulled up a stool and watched Lila paint. It was amazing what she could do with a brush.

There was the crunch of gravel in the drive. Abby cursed under her breath. She knew it was Ryan and she knew she did not want to see him. She stood up.

Chester asked, "Leaving?"

Abby nodded.

"If you are done with me Lila, I'd like to walk my daughter home."

Chester had never referred to Abby as “my daughter.” A strange feeling fluttered in her stomach.

Abby heard a car door slam. She needed to get out of there fast. Slowly Chester stood. Lila went to him and hugged him. A soft smile played on Lila’s lips, then she kissed his cheek. She said, “Come back tomorrow.”

Chester nodded.

Abby could hear Ryan at the front door. She pushed open the sunroom door. Chester followed her outside. A car pulled out of the drive. Abby banged the door shut at the exact instant she heard the front door close. Safe.

As they crossed the street Chester said, "Lila's doing a good job on that picture."

"Yeah, she is."

He shook his head. "I wish I looked as good as she's making me look though."

Abby thought, So, he had noticed it too.

"Course, Lila's like that. She sees the best in people." He opened their screen door and then went to the front door. He put his hand on the knob and said, “She is the closest thing to an Angel I have ever known.” His thin hand turned the knob. Abby could see all his veins. They stepped into the warm house.

From the kitchen Grammy called, "Chester, that you? I made some beet juice for you."

Chester rolled his eyes at Abby. He whispered, "Yuck."

Abby giggled. She followed him into the kitchen. Chester sat down at the table. Grammy placed a brimming glass of dark purple juice in front of him.

"Aw, Ma do I have to?"

Grammy nodded.

He said, "She claims she's determined to keep me on the planet as long as possible but personally I think she's trying to poison me."

"I am not. I'll drink some if you will."

"Ma that didn't work when I was six years old and it's not going to work now." He ran his finger along the edge of the glass then sniffed its contents. "God, this smells awful." He picked up the glass and took a sip. "Laced with Jack Daniel’s it might be tolerable."

Grammy frowned at his remark.

Chester thought it was funny.

"Just drink it."

Chester nodded. He took another sip.