Page 140 of Hometown Girl

Monty’s face went pale. “Who are you?” He held his hands up in front of him, as if to protect himself.

“Monty?”

He covered his head with his hands. “Not here.”

Now Drew remembered him. When Birdie said Monty had been behind the other kids, she’d meant he had a severe mental disability. It was why kids had made fun of him, why Harold had tried to help him. It was why he still, after all these years, seemed like a child.

But Monty was harmless—wasn’t he?

“I like your room,” Beth said, walking toward him. “This used to be one of my favorite shows too.”

“Andy?” Monty looked up at her.

Beth nodded.

Monty laughed.

So, it was Beth—not Drew—who should ask the questions. She must’ve sensed it too, because she sat down next to Monty and took the lead.

“You live here?” she asked.

He nodded. “My apartment.” Snapping the recliner to an upright position, he stood. “My TV.” He pointed to the television. “My kitchen.”

“It’s very nice,” Beth said. “Do you like Superman?”

Monty nodded, moving over to the collection behind the recliner. “Superman.”

“What do you like about Superman?”

He picked up one of the toys, a Superman action figure. “He can fly.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty cool.” Beth picked up another toy.

Monty eyed her, and for a split second, Drew wasn’t sure he was going to let Beth get away with touching something from his collection.

But she met Monty’s eyes and smiled, and the man relaxed. He towered over her—at least a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier. Drew moved closer, just to be safe. What if Monty had a temper?

“You know what I like about Superman?” Beth asked.

Monty shook his head, still eyeing the toy in her hands.

“I like that he saves people.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the same small photograph she’d shown his father.

“Monty, do you remember this girl?” she asked quietly.

He took the photo, and his brow furrowed as he looked at Jess’s face staring back at him. “Jess.”

“Yes, Jess Pendergast,” Beth said.

“My Jess.” Monty nodded. “Not supposed to talk about Jess.” His head moved in quick pulls, back and forth.

“Do you want to help Jess, Monty?”

He looked up at Beth.

“Like Superman helps people?”

Monty nodded. “Help Jess.”

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