Page 40 of More Than a Hero
Jimmy’s brows drew together. “Okay, let’s forget about the color. Is it the shape of a toothpick?”
“Not really. But it does have a sharp point. Only on one end.”
Marty squinted, scanning the store. “I tell you what. I think we can find it together if you just help me get to where the toothpaste is.”
“You got it, Mr. Marty.”
The two set off down the gleaming aisle, weaving through displays of brightly packaged mouthwashes and toothbrush multipacks. After a thorough search, Jimmy finally plucked a bag of floss picks from the shelf, holding them up like a game show prize. “This it?” he asked, his eyebrows arched.
“That’s it!” Marty declared triumphantly, a grin splitting his wrinkled face.
Jimmy stared at the package in disbelief, then gave a slow nod. “Well… I’m glad we found ’em.”
The pair strolled off, heading toward the next item on the list, leaving Angie watching with a smirk.
From everything she’d seen so far, the kids had more patience than some adults, and the adopted grandparents weren’t just shopping for themselves—they were making sure the kids got things they liked too.
Curious, she drifted toward the men’s clothing section, where she spotted another unlikely duo deep in a debate.
“I need the large,” Harold said, squinting at a package of undershirts.
Caleb, arms crossed, gave him a skeptical once-over. “Mr. Harold, you ain’t that big.”
Harold frowned. “What do you mean, I ain’t that big? I’ve always bought large.”
Caleb flipped the package over and pointed at the sizing chart. “According to this, I think you’d only be a medium.”
“But I always wear a large,” Harold insisted.
Kryon raised an eyebrow, first looking at Caleb, then back at Harold. “You tryna look like you’re from the hood?”
Harold’s forehead creased, adding extra depth to the wrinkles already there. “I don’t know what that means.”
“It’s just a look, you know?” Kryon shrugged. “Big oversized white T-shirts? That’s what some guys wear on purpose.”
Harold’s lips pressed into a thin line as he processed this revelation. With an exaggerated scowl, he shook his head. “I’m not trying to look like anything. I just want my shirts to fit.”
Caleb stood next to Harold, still holding the package of undershirts as if he were trying to understand the older man's reasoning. “Can you tell me why?”
Harold frowned and gave a halfhearted shrug. “It’s just easier.”
“Easier?” Caleb tilted his head. “I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Harold.”
Harold let out a slow breath, as if deciding how much to say. “My arms and shoulders don’t work as good as they used to. If the T-shirt’s too tight, it’s hard to pull over my head and get my arms through. But if it’s a little bigger, I got more room to move, and I can usually get it on by myself.”
Caleb stilled, glancing between Harold, Kyron, and the undershirts in his hands. After a beat, he nodded. “Well… okay. I think that makes sense. I never thought about it, but you’re right.” Without hesitation, he tossed the package of large T-shirts into their shopping cart. Then, with an easy grin, he patted Harold on the shoulder. “What’s next?”
Harold gave a small, appreciative smile and nudged the cart forward. “Something on the list about socks, I think.”
A few aisles away, Angie had slipped out of sight behind a display of neatly folded jeans, pressing her fingers to her eyes in an effort to keep a tear from falling. She had expected the outing to be productive, maybe even enjoyable. But she hadn’t expected moments like this. Moments when her clients weren’tjust picking out things they needed but also opening up and sharing things they might not have said otherwise.
A warm hand landed on her shoulder, and she jumped, spinning around.
Pete stood there, brows drawn together in concern. “Is something wrong?”
She shook her head quickly. “No, not at all. This is going so much better than I imagined. My clients are opening up. They're telling the kids about things they need or things that bother them. And your kids…” Her voice wavered, but she smiled. “Your kids are amazing.”
His frown softened into a grin, and without a word, he cupped her face, brushing his thumb under her eye in a gentle swipe. Then, before she could say anything else, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
