Page 92 of Stay With Me
Her eyes go wide. “How do you know if someone is bad? Are we bad because we left The Family? Are we going to hell?” Panic fills her voice.
“There are times you just know when someone is bad or if someone is good. The first time you met Noah, did you think he was good or bad?”
“Good. He didn’t make me feel uncomfortable or out of place when I moved in here. I know that regardless of where we are or what we’re doing, he’s going to make sure I’m safe.”
“That’s called trusting your gut. Sometimes you can just feel it. As for us going to hell, I can’t say yes or no. I believe that as long as you do good every chance you get, you’ll go somewhere good. No one is perfect, and we’ll make the wrong choice at some point. We just have to learn from it.”
As she opens her mouth to respond, tires crunch on the gravel driveway, indicating that Am is here to get us for the farmers’ market and effectively ending the conversation. I worry there’s more she isn’t saying, and I hope my answers didn’t make things worse.
FORTY-ONE
Luna
ThesmileonJess’sface as Kristen lets her help set up the farmers’ market table makes my heart feel like it’s beating out of my chest. She’s so excited to be helping run the booth today, and I don’t think anything will wipe the smile off her face.
Someone knocks my shoulder lightly, and I see Am standing beside me. “I got her a shirt that matches ours if you think she would want it.”
“I think she would love that. I know you said she was interested in everything at your farm, and Joe has talked about how she is even asking him questions about his farming operation.”
“I’m not shocked. I sometimes have to remind myself that she’s only ten with the questions she asks.”
“I know. I have to remind myself that she’s still so young.”
Before Am can respond, Jess looks up at us and says, “Does anything else need to be set up, Aunt Amelia?”
Am gasps next to me. “Did she just call me aunt?” she whispers.
“Yeah, it’s a new thing. It started after she spent the night with Sam. I don’t know how the topic came up, but everyone in the friend group is called aunt or uncle now,” I tell her softly.
Am clears her throat. “I think that’s everything, kiddo. Thank you for your help this morning. I have something for you if you want it.” Am gestures her over.
Jess walks over to us with Penny by her side as Kristen puts the extra baskets back into the van.
Am kneels in front of her and holds out the T-shirt.
“This is for me?” Jess brushes her fingers over the fabric.
“Yeah, you don’t have to wear it, but since you helped me so much today and at the farm when we hung out, I thought you would like this.” Am moves the shirt closer to her, prompting her to take it.
Jess unfolds the shirt, and her eyes go wide, likely realizing the shirt matches the one Am and Kristen wear. “I can wear this?” She darts her eyes from me to Am.
“Of course. You’re my little helper, and we couldn’t have done all this without you. You’re a part of the team,” Am says.
As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Jess throws herself into her arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I would love to wear this! Can I please change my shirt, Luna?”
“Of course.” I look around to see if we can find a place for her to change her shirt.
“She’s short enough she could change in the back of the van. I’ll take her over there.” Am looks to me for permission.
I nod. “Okay. I’ll stay here with Penny and wait for you guys to come back just in case we have some early shoppers.”
“Perfect. We will be right back.” Am motions for Jess to follow her.
As she makes her way with Jess to the van, Abby and Pam walk toward the stand from the parking lot. I wave as they approach.
“Hey, ladies. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Sorry we’re late. I overslept, and if it wasn’t for Abs here blowing my phone up, I don’t know when I would have gotten here.”
