No, it makes sense you staying here. You and Bryce are next to each other, and my dads room is close. He turned to point to the opposite wall at the end of the hall. Thats his door.
He still didnt seem all that sure about it. Of course, he also wanted a trained medical professional, not an uneducated single mom.
Go ahead. Open the door, Bryce. You do the honors. Its your moms room for now.
Her little man switched the box to his shorter arm and turned the knob. For some reason she held her breath. When was the last time anyone was in this bedroom?
Its locked. Bryce glanced up at Tyler.
This was getting awkward. Ill just take our stuff to the fam
No, no. The key is up here. He set the bags down and went to the door at the back of the hall. Stretching up, he ran his fingers along the top of the door frame. Here you go. He handed the Allen key to Bryce. Ill go get more of your boxes.
Are you sure? She ended up talking to his back. Dont take out the large green tub. It stays in the car. She wasnt sure he had heard. Bryce fumbled a bit with the key, then turned the knob before flashing her one of his I-did-it smiles.
She took a deep breath and smiled back. It was just a door, an ordinary door, so why did she feel so heavy walking through it?
Wow! Mom, the bed is huge and purple. He tossed the bags on an overstuffed armchair. Look how big the windows are, and it has a seat.
She stepped into a fifteen-year time capsule. Every teenage fantasy of being a normal girl with a family and school friends came to life in the room. Purple and silver ribbons hung from the corner of the curtain rod, the silk mums were coated in a fine layer of dust. The cream-colored walls were covered in poster frames that held collages of a high school girls memories. Sports, dances, horses and local and international mission trips were highlighted in each of the five poster frames.
Who are all these people? Bryce was studying the pictures.
This is Carol, Tylers sister. All the other people are her friends. Shes also Rachel and Celestes mother. Carol hadnt been much older than she when she had been killed in a car accident, leaving behind two small daughters, a young husband and a whole town that loved her and still missed her. She looked at the laughing girl whod thought she had a lifetime in front of her. Somehow she had managed to accomplish more in one short life than Karly dreamed of doing.
Oh, look at these, Momma. He picked up a model horse from the purple dresser. These are cool. I hope my rooms not purple, though.
Herere some more boxes. She heard Tylers voice from the hallway, but by the time she had gotten to the door he was already gone again.
Momma, whats that word?
She went back into Carols room. What word, baby?
Momma, Im not a baby. Then he pointed to a poster, purple, of course, on the wall. Go An-gore-as! Whats an Angora?
She shrugged. Not sure. Well have to ask Tyler.
Can I see my room? He lowered his head and whispered. Please, anything but purple. He opened the door to the bathroom that connected the rooms. If I dont like it, your bed is big enough for both of us.
Yes, it is. She just wasnt sure if there was room for them. In this home. This substantial house was big enough for them and Tyler, though.
Cool, Momma! Look. He tilted his head back to look at the ceiling, slowly turning. Airplanes of all sizes and shapes hung from the clear wires. Two-tone blue, with a touch of red, made the room inviting and all boy. Baseball and football equipment packed the spaces between the books on the shelves. Posters of Texas teams and colleges covered the wall.
The strangest was the leather halter and bridle hanging on the headboard. Bryce started going through the closet, pulling out some sort of sports jersey with a large nineteen on it. Do you think its Tylers?
Hey, what have you got there? Tyler stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame.
Oh, Im sorry. She took the shirt from Bryce and put it back. Theyd intruded into his world; now he found them digging through his closet.
Im sorry, Mr. Childress. Her little boy took a step back, his head down.
Towering over her small son, Tyler reached past him and pulled out the shirt. You can wear it. Its my basketball shirt from my seventh-grade year. We got new ones, so coach let us keep them. He slipped the jersey over Bryces head. In just a few years, you can be a fighting Angora.
I cant play basketball. He held up his short arm. I only have one hand.
You only need one hand to dribble. He rubbed Bryces dark hair.
Karly crossed her arms and stopped herself from saying anything to Tyler. She wished he would stop telling her son all the things he could do. She was sure he meant well, but he didnt understand all the complications.
The joy in her son radiated from his grin. So whats an Angora?
This time Tyler laughed out loud. A goat with long, wavy white hair and curled horns.
She had to laugh at Bryces horrified expression. A goat?
Yeah, a goat, but most people dont even know theyre goats. Theyre different and theyre tough, able to survive through harsh conditions.