Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

JAKE

I sat in my backyard, beer in hand.

For weeks, I’d avoided spending time at home. I hated seeing the play structure. It reminded me of my biggest regret.

I’d missed my chance with Katie. Missed the opportunity to have the very thing I’d longed for since my folks had died.

A connection.

As I stared across the yard, lost in thought, a blur of pink stole my attention. Quickly followed by a familiar giggle.

“Barbie, help me,” Grace’s voice carried on the evening breeze. “It’s got to be perfect. I can’t fall over at my first dance recital. I’ll look silly.”

I smiled at hearing Tink lost in her one-sided conversation and silently crept to the fence line that separated mine and Katie’s properties.

Dressed in an eye-wateringly bright pink leotard and matching tutu, Grace twirled and leaped across the lawn.

As her clumsy movements reached their peak, I couldn’t help but bark out a chuckle.

The sound must have caught her off guard. Immediately, her steps faltered as she twisted awkwardly, then promptly fell on her ass.

A heaving sob rose from the Grace-shaped puddle of pink tulle, dampening my urge to laugh again.

Without a second thought, I vaulted the 4-foot fence and rushed to the little girl’s side.

She gazed up at me with teary eyes.

At that moment, my heart melted. “Hey, hey, Tink, there’s no need to cry.”

Her sobs came harder as her body trembled.

“They… They… are… going… to… laugh… at… me,” she hiccupped.

“Who?” I enquired softly.

“Everyone!” Grace wailed in response.

“At the dance recital?” I pressed. “You think people will laugh at you?”

“Yessss!” she said tearfully.

“They won’t,” I replied firmly.

“You won’t be there,” she accused. There was no bite to her words. However, the downturn of her lips spoke volumes. “Will you watch me dance, Jake? But you gotta promise not to laugh.”

Somewhat scared I’d fuck up again, I merely nodded in reply.

“You can sit over with Barbie,” Grace instructed. She rose to her feet and pointed over at the porch steps.

Perched in the shadows, I watched that beautiful little girl spin, leap, and prance until late into the evening.

By the time we parted ways, something warm and comforting had settled over my soul.

Something that felt a lot like home.