🤍 Jessica's POV 🤍
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaviLxjmax7
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.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ru41XQ0yA
I had gone all out to add extra baby strawberries on top.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEersMCYWU
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.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZM2surrUd
Taking a steadying breath, I ring the bell.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFFgl4rNdE
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.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsN8jELYTB
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.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgdSHH33lu
I have no idea why that popped into my head.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeYqY34sV0
Her expression is kind, though slightly wary, like she isn't used to unexpected visitors.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwUh62XaP2
"Oh" she says, blinking at me in surprise.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJsyxehCDO
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EvGRWOXkr
Her face brightens instantly, the hesitation melting away. "Oh, how lovely! That's so sweet of you."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy58FvhAfo
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcA6hCr31x
I laugh. "I figured moving is stressful, and nothing eases stress like sugar" I point to the bakery "I own the Bakery across"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yk66v2kXB
"Oh, The Lavender Loaf?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzo1PQnrt4
I smile wider "That's the one!"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoTzorGFQT
She chuckles, stepping aside. "Well, don't just stand there. Come in, come in, Please"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIHEnhLs7y
I hesitate for half a second. I hadn't planned to stay, but she's already ushering me inside, so I follow.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6cYoMNfts
The house smells like fresh paint and wild jasmine, but there's also the faint scent of lavender and something warm, like cinnamon tea.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDGbk9tTV
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.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHoL2cxyaQ
"Forgive the mess," she says, leading me toward the kitchen. "We're still settling in."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIc3luXMwU
"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"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNau4OPXB2
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmgMIY7stH
"It's really nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilson."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCroPC2xr6l
"Oh, please," she waves a hand dismissively. "Call me Nora. Mrs. Wilson makes me feel ancient."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjqTDAMU84
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCl1p9HW8o
Mrs Wilson blushes "You are such a flatterer"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YNo9DJoHR
She pulls out a chair at the small dining table. "Sit, sit. Let me get us some tea."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkw6e5tGiT
"Oh, you don't have to—"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEAc40E2rq
"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"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom2LFsmg83
I give in, settling into the chair as she moves around the empty kitchen.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFO9Fb4xVO
"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?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnC1v7FM1Z
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"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA8Db8libL
Nora's expression softens, and she places a comforting hand on my shoulder softly "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9NJJ5n0EN
I shrug, offering a small smile. "It was tough, but we had grandma, and she's amazing"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGhyQQ4i9S
Nora nods, sipping her tea. "Grandmothers are special like that."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M0zG7dH3p
"What about you?" I ask. "Is it just you?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ024ODWOjrV
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwDevE7Mym
I soften. "I'm really sorry. That must have been hard."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIEnhMmAM6
"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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b9grwLD9E
I take a sip of tea, feeling saddened by her story. "Do you have kids?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJGsgLO7Q
Her face lights up. "Oh, yes. Six crazy boys."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmuqTr99G
My eyes widen. "Six? And they're crazy on top?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup85Be2wYk
She covers her mouth, laughing "Yes, darling"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DZ4ZPycJt
"Damn. How do you manage to still look this good and sane? I would've been in a mental asylum by now"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyGZ6ENNfm
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsF3ReSQXj
I can tell she misses them. Greatly.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicT4TGh832
"Permit me to ask this" I say, leaning in slightly. "Were you guys trying for a girl or something?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZpHA49WxJ
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"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡythOlOc8C5
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.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oaDzDuELf
Oh shoot. The fucking ripper.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaYpk1CCdD
After a moment of hesitation, I clear my throat. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXTrgmc9wl
Her brows knit together. "Oh?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG3kuiXhDz
I lean in slightly. "It's about the man you hired. A repair guy I think, for your windows. Did you?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWM2bAgZlY
Her expression shifts, "Um, yeah. We got someone to work on the windows today. What about him?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4NF72QJV4
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvqrKtbXs4
She leans forward, looking concerned. "What did he say?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSWxLrVTuN
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2MjNb2y35
Her lips part slightly in shock. "What?"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQtig9Gkfj
I nod grimly. "Yeah. I figured you should know before you sign anything"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JUJCFWYli
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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33BFcIyvqn
"Of course. I'd hate to see you get taken advantage of."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9QtmvOAA6
She shakes her head. "Some people have no shame. I'll definitely be canceling with him."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx049mGJ4I2
I nod, relieved.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEELwJWFtPN
Then, she suddenly brightens. "You know what? You have to come over for dinner this weekend."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbqqxmcF23
I blink. "Oh, no, really, you don't have to—"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8BaRBEQEJ
"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."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNfOqmPke1
Something warm stirs in my chest at that.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAoGckPL1r
"But—"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57rLqxuhaE
"No buts," she says firmly. "Any weekend. Dinner. My house, as long as you have the time. And bring your brother and friend"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLylqkKBpi
I laugh, shaking my head. "You're too kind, and very persuasive"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡporFH9P1y9
She grins. "That's why I win."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fgIql42lK
I sigh, knowing I've lost. "Alright, alright. I'll come."
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r3PFMUHat
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!"
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGZfNIc8AE
And just like that, I realize moving to this neighborhood might have been one of the best things to ever happen to me.
ns3.16.160.142da2
