🤍 Jessica's POV 🤍
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkwyuLEgsE
I balance the strawberry shortcake carefully in my hands as I approach the house, inhaling the sweet scent of fresh strawberries and cream. It's deliciousness tickling me.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQAxbMhlmd
I had gone all out to add extra baby strawberries on top.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zVfiGC14O
The place looks cozy, with freshly painted shutters and a small garden out front, still a little overgrown from months of vacancy. The moving truck from earlier is long gone, but a few unopened boxes sit on the porch, hinting at the chaos of settling in.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUs9udbDUJ
Taking a steadying breath, I ring the bell.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWjepOu83k
For a moment, there's nothing. Then, soft footsteps approach from the other side, and the door swings open to reveal a woman who looks to be in her... late fifties.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iPxZruTN2
She's petite, with silver-streaked brown hair pulled back into a neat bun, and warm brown eyes that immediately remind me of fresh-baked cookies and childhood bedtime stories.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM1teFPyUI
I have no idea why that popped into my head.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakkfvbkJs5
Her expression is kind, though slightly wary, like she isn't used to unexpected visitors.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNjLNmEq9i
"Oh" she says, blinking at me in surprise.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vCTgGl4o8
I smile, lifting the cake slightly. "Hi! I'm Jessica. I live across the street. Wanted to come over and welcome you to the neighborhood."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRmxyyWqMw
Her face brightens instantly, the hesitation melting away. "Oh, how lovely! That's so sweet of you."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f1KmC3fQy
She glances down at the cake, then back up at me, her eyes twinkling. "And you brought dessert? Well, you might just be my favorite neighbor already."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAyrdLMeFC
I laugh. "I figured moving is stressful, and nothing eases stress like sugar" I point to the bakery "I own the Bakery across"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AqNiAMcKL
"Oh, The Lavender Loaf?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4D8rgI9ej
I smile wider "That's the one!"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY4yh94rHy
She chuckles, stepping aside. "Well, don't just stand there. Come in, come in, Please"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fICrPYw1R
I hesitate for half a second. I hadn't planned to stay, but she's already ushering me inside, so I follow.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExp0exlOd1
The house smells like fresh paint and wild jasmine, but there's also the faint scent of lavender and something warm, like cinnamon tea.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xJiJblOG4
Moving boxes are stacked neatly in the living room, some already half-unpacked. The furniture is classic and cozy—lots of warm-toned wood, floral cushions, and soft lighting.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbviTV85is2
"Forgive the mess," she says, leading me toward the kitchen. "We're still settling in."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRNDM3v0Pl
"No worries. I know how hectic moving can be. I once moved apartments and didn't find my favorite mug for three months. Turns out it was in the freezer"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WoU80sTOr
She laughs, gestures for me to set the cake on the kitchen counter, then turns to face me, smiling warmly. "I'm Nora Wilson, by the way."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3K2J3bCK9
"It's really nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilson."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF5O5fPNcw
"Oh, please," she waves a hand dismissively. "Call me Nora. Mrs. Wilson makes me feel ancient."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbv182EqWz
I grin. "There's nothing ancient-looking about you, ma'am. You could easily pass for a twenty year old beauty queen, but alright, Nora, if you say so."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTOEd53UXs
Mrs Wilson blushes "You are such a flatterer"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ02e5GhfP
She pulls out a chair at the small dining table. "Sit, sit. Let me get us some tea."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcxgLyWIZY
"Oh, you don't have to—"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZAaftAUPi
"Nonsense." She's already moving toward the stove. "You brought me cake. The least I can do is make tea so we can enjoy it with the cake"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Z9PgJ7bc
I give in, settling into the chair as she moves around the empty kitchen.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk2ia4tlVZ
"So," she says as she places two cups of steaming tea in front of us. "Tell me about yourself, Jessica. Do you live with your family?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSDNVaVc0j
I wrap my hands around the warm mug, the heat seeping into my palms. "Not really. It's just me, my brother, Ken and best friend, Rachel" I explain with a smile "We share the apartment across the street, right above the bakery. We lost our parents when we were little, so grandma practically raised us"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszdtWXkdAY
Nora's expression softens, and she places a comforting hand on my shoulder softly "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE4YBt4NdH
I shrug, offering a small smile. "It was tough, but we had grandma, and she's amazing"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13fCXW7YBa
Nora nods, sipping her tea. "Grandmothers are special like that."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT61GKJe9b
"What about you?" I ask. "Is it just you?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3myHKTX18P
She nods, her smile turning a little wistful. "Yes, my husband, Jacob, and I just moved here for a fresh start. He had a terrible accident a few years ago, and—well, he's in a wheelchair now. It's been... an adjustment."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI4bF5qD7o
I soften. "I'm really sorry. That must have been hard."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqavqxfWSco
"Oh, you have no idea" She exhales, but there's no bitterness in her tone—just sheer strength, and continues. "But we manage. He's the strongest man I know, and as long as we have each other, I know we'll be okay."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhjnYUpJl2
I take a sip of tea, feeling saddened by her story. "Do you have kids?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElbsA9Yr4c
Her face lights up. "Oh, yes. Six crazy boys."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHgjFD4vze
My eyes widen. "Six? And they're crazy on top?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2jXOhd0LP
She covers her mouth, laughing "Yes, darling"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUxFSgTL8W
"Damn. How do you manage to still look this good and sane? I would've been in a mental asylum by now"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaPmGcMtr6
She chuckles. "All I can say is it gets better with time. But It was a very loud and chaotic house for a very long time. But they're all grown now. In college, scattered across the country. It's just Jacob and me these days."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJOvCOih30
I can tell she misses them. Greatly.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxvZhJEIyR
"Permit me to ask this" I say, leaning in slightly. "Were you guys trying for a girl or something?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNp0rsThZy
She looks at me with a knowing smirk "You pick up on things. Yes we were. But after my last boy, I just gave up and embraced being a proud boy mum"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcz5Xd3OUG
We talk for a while, conversation flowing so easily it surprised me. We touch on everything—our families, the state of the country, even little things like favorite books and movies. It's strange how comfortable being around her feels, like I've known her for longer than just an hour.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPO8QKEE8K
Oh shoot. The fucking ripper.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPxm0KcxSN
After a moment of hesitation, I clear my throat. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGwNOn1mQN
Her brows knit together. "Oh?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ieaZ5rQNP
I lean in slightly. "It's about the man you hired. A repair guy I think, for your windows. Did you?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMlMQi943u
Her expression shifts, "Um, yeah. We got someone to work on the windows today. What about him?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wGptcfnLA
I sigh. "I hope I'm not too late. I kinda overheard him on the phone earlier. He was speaking in Bulgarian, so I guess he didn't think anyone around would understand. But I did."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNsjvApmDQ
She leans forward, looking concerned. "What did he say?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEMhlVKdun
I hesitate for a second before finally spilling "He was talking about overcharging you by an extra five grand. Just because he thought you looked like you could afford it."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptWy7sttkB
Her lips part slightly in shock. "What?"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bYxJydmKf
I nod grimly. "Yeah. I figured you should know before you sign anything"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB0G2MD4zb
She stares at me for a long moment, then lets out a slow breath. "Jessica, I don't even know what to say. That is... disgusting. Thank you so much for telling me."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbBxjqugEP
"Of course. I'd hate to see you get taken advantage of."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfPlHqr4qA
She shakes her head. "Some people have no shame. I'll definitely be canceling with him."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGvgBLg01X
I nod, relieved.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWDDSi3nSA
Then, she suddenly brightens. "You know what? You have to come over for dinner this weekend."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirT4uaVd6E
I blink. "Oh, no, really, you don't have to—"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk15JjY0axq
"I insist, Jessica" She folds her arms, giving me a look that grandma always gave me whenever I was about to argue with her "I love spending time with you. You remind me of the daughter I never had."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pIGnRKOJ9
Something warm stirs in my chest at that.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqttbsQnIrz
"But—"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNa7Ja0Nfr
"No buts," she says firmly. "Any weekend. Dinner. My house, as long as you have the time. And bring your brother and friend"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Sir2NRUR
I laugh, shaking my head. "You're too kind, and very persuasive"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFXr4hDYXJ
She grins. "That's why I win."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGjJRt7asF
I sigh, knowing I've lost. "Alright, alright. I'll come."
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5JvR2xzzQ
She claps her hands together. "Good. Now, let's have some more of that cake. It's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted!"
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7j8yo2Exy
And just like that, I realize moving to this neighborhood might have been one of the best things to ever happen to me.
ns3.134.86.4da2
