Assumptions

New friend?

The next morning we're parked in front of her house. I'm nervously tapping my fingers on the steering wheel contemplating how I'm going to convince her to let me give them a ride this morning. Both Casey and I agreed that it would be the right thing to do. So here we are waiting.

"You have to knock on the door." Casey says.

I look over at my brother. He's biting his nails. I guess he's nervous too.

"I hope she won't be mad."

"That's what I'm afraid of kid."

I take a deep breath, roll my shoulders, get out and head to their front door and knock.

Kira answers the door and when she sees me, a huge grin appears on her face. Immediately I start to relax, I'm grinning too.

"Mornin' Clay! Come to give us a ride?" She motions to let me in and then shouts, "Ma! Clay is here. He's giving us a ride." She picks up her back pack and runs out the door, jumps in the seat taking her place next to Casey. They high-five each other in greeting.

"Davis? What are you doing here?"

I turn to find her staring at me with her arms crossed.

"Um- um. Hi? Um- Good Morning. I - I was hoping you'd a - you'd um do me a another favor? And um - and let me be a super brother again and give you guys a ride this morning?" I answer in a question hoping it's the right one. I can't really look at her. For some reason, the thought of her being upset with me terrifies me. I wipe at the sweat starting to pour from my brow. I'm nervous as hell.

She does her tilt head thing, lets out a breath then hands me a baby bag. I nod like an idiot, turn then proceed to the car.

We're in front of the kids' school. Casey and Kira jump out of the car still deep in conversation not giving us a backward glance. Not even a goodbye.

I chuckle. "I think my brother has his first best friend." She doesn't respond. She just looks out the window at the kids smiling.

"So where do we drop the baby off at?"

"Cole" she turns to me and looks at me pointedly.

"Huh?"

"His name is Cole Jr."

"Oh. Ok. I apologize." I want to say more and ask more but I know I need to let her set the pace. I don't want to jinx things. So I keep quiet.

"Turn here."

We're parked in front of a mobile home. The SUV taking up most of the space on the small road leading up to the drive way.

I turn to her silently asking.

"A friend of the family watches him while I'm at school." She answers.

"Grampy!" Cole screams from his car seat.

"Grandfather?"

She doesn't answer that question. Instead she says, "I'll be a minute ok because I have to set out the food otherwise he may forget."

"Not a problem. I'll wait here." She nods.

On our way to school. She suddenly breaks the silence. "Grampy is my grandfather's friend. My real grandfather is in the hospital. He's dying. It's his house we live in. Management is letting us live there until he goes."

"What are you going to do when that happens?"

She doesn't answer till minutes later while looking out the window. Her answer so soft I barely heard her.

"I'll know when I know."

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We get to the school and she jumps out quickly.

"I'll wait for you after school." I tell her before as she gets out of the car. She turns and gives me a smile then the smile disappears as her eyes dart past me.

"Clay! What's up?"

I turn to find Mark standing outside my window with a questioning look. I turn back around to find her gone.

"What Mark?" I can't keep the irritation from my voice.

"Made a new friend?"

"She's cool - just giving her a lift."

He looks at me incredulousy. A small pang of guilt hits me. I've never kept things from him. I want to tell Mark but at the same time I can't because I feel like I need to protect her.

"Clay! Hi babe." Kendra walks up then and for the first time, I welcome her and the interruption.

"Hey beautiful!" I say as I get out. She giggles and wraps her arms around my waist.

Mark taps me on the shoulder. "We're gonna talk later." he says. I nod.

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I walk away from Davis. His friend came up and I just left. I feel a little guilty about leaving him there having to explain me to his friend. But I didn't want to be there and subject myself to any questions - especially the ones I don't have answers to.

Davis seems to understand that. He doesn't pry when I know he wants to. He just accepted us no questions asked. I appreciate that. I opened up a litte to him today telling him about Grandpa. He didn't ask for more. He let me talk about it and then he let me have the silence to think. 

He surprised me this morning when he came to pick us up. When he explained why he was there, I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He was nervous and stuttering. I just knew he wasn't the kind of guy I first thought him to be. I had to trust that.

He's a nice guy. Maybe I could use a friend. 

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I walk outside after school grateful to find Davis standing in front of his car waiting for me. Our eyes meet and I nod a 'Thank you.' He opens the passenger door then walks over to the driver side to let himself in.

"I was afraid you'd try and ditch me." He says.

"No Davis. Look I really appreciate the help. I don't know how I can repay you but I will."

The rest of the ride to the school is quiet.

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We're in front of the school waiting for the kids to come out. Davis turns to me. "How long can Grampy watch Cole for?"

I'm confused by the question but I answer. "I have to get him before his son comes home by 6."

He just nods and looks at me. The kids break up the odd exchange by hopping into the car. Davis hasn't started up the car yet so I look over at him. He looks at me, smiles then turns in his seat facing the kids.

"How about we get some Ice cream before we pick up Cole guys?"

Kira is squealing 'Yes' and Casey is laughing. I look at him questioning.

He just shrugs then says, "I feel like Ice Cream."

I just nod then sit back and listen to the kids' excited banter smiling while Davis drives us out to get Ice Cream.