🤍 Jessica's POV 🤍
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3eKd5AeTd
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.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuddXs2pMK
I had gone all out to add extra baby strawberries on top.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC0ws8shCX
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.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrAlpizF9C
Taking a steadying breath, I ring the bell.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHgAaZo1gD
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.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxekKGzLdff
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.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyFgCyC5fA
I have no idea why that popped into my head.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMudWkkBkE0
Her expression is kind, though slightly wary, like she isn't used to unexpected visitors.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ls4kIQhgo
"Oh" she says, blinking at me in surprise.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNeafXkYpz
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n4HZU5N7v
Her face brightens instantly, the hesitation melting away. "Oh, how lovely! That's so sweet of you."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxSQkvikHk
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC8tZKPqMu
I laugh. "I figured moving is stressful, and nothing eases stress like sugar" I point to the bakery "I own the Bakery across"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjEbcGgENm
"Oh, The Lavender Loaf?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNxMabFqZ5
I smile wider "That's the one!"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFebj7KZbNr
She chuckles, stepping aside. "Well, don't just stand there. Come in, come in, Please"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SBEdLdakU
I hesitate for half a second. I hadn't planned to stay, but she's already ushering me inside, so I follow.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdyYZWuCeN
The house smells like fresh paint and wild jasmine, but there's also the faint scent of lavender and something warm, like cinnamon tea.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwBWHLcxdY
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.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEuSfwNqOW
"Forgive the mess," she says, leading me toward the kitchen. "We're still settling in."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkFY5xNwnu
"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"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXpeCqSDLX
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ebnN2LB5S
"It's really nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilson."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCuhzxkDcm
"Oh, please," she waves a hand dismissively. "Call me Nora. Mrs. Wilson makes me feel ancient."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlSnmzgXQi
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiulInHTV9
Mrs Wilson blushes "You are such a flatterer"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l9TokWYia
She pulls out a chair at the small dining table. "Sit, sit. Let me get us some tea."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjixC6UkfBF
"Oh, you don't have to—"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp7OE0gzV3
"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"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4YCf7ylmr
I give in, settling into the chair as she moves around the empty kitchen.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7nQuMDmcb
"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?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHHCHzgpIQ
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"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yLe2TnqgT
Nora's expression softens, and she places a comforting hand on my shoulder softly "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NWbs0ePFh
I shrug, offering a small smile. "It was tough, but we had grandma, and she's amazing"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Y1hgX6j3
Nora nods, sipping her tea. "Grandmothers are special like that."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp08InhIpuA
"What about you?" I ask. "Is it just you?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKyBvkJxTV
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0TPS4xwrL
I soften. "I'm really sorry. That must have been hard."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhwMesi8cm
"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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8OkofQQ5u
I take a sip of tea, feeling saddened by her story. "Do you have kids?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEpwwcPoC6
Her face lights up. "Oh, yes. Six crazy boys."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxdtEjy64K
My eyes widen. "Six? And they're crazy on top?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dXGY7gwEG
She covers her mouth, laughing "Yes, darling"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79pXSjkOdi
"Damn. How do you manage to still look this good and sane? I would've been in a mental asylum by now"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEg3xOoKiZ
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jfM8pkJd4
I can tell she misses them. Greatly.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpHzT1DNXJ
"Permit me to ask this" I say, leaning in slightly. "Were you guys trying for a girl or something?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeACDyEF7Iz
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"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbmbLpnt7H
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.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oULt7qb5W
Oh shoot. The fucking ripper.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ8WMViMKN
After a moment of hesitation, I clear my throat. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNXdAPZaZk
Her brows knit together. "Oh?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezJXqmaHdO
I lean in slightly. "It's about the man you hired. A repair guy I think, for your windows. Did you?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMgbo0tzt1
Her expression shifts, "Um, yeah. We got someone to work on the windows today. What about him?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOWGWOFK7g
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz2HiUmpwQ
She leans forward, looking concerned. "What did he say?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOLfUMsCXC
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj8xODX3sQ
Her lips part slightly in shock. "What?"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLonBTgGfFJ
I nod grimly. "Yeah. I figured you should know before you sign anything"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtcDQwbLGc
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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnsyaLbJDU
"Of course. I'd hate to see you get taken advantage of."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqHDPM7LpM
She shakes her head. "Some people have no shame. I'll definitely be canceling with him."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjrOSKCOTC
I nod, relieved.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLht4pD0ek
Then, she suddenly brightens. "You know what? You have to come over for dinner this weekend."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3yLauLhd9
I blink. "Oh, no, really, you don't have to—"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO43DKGfCiq
"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."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4H4hkoTHN
Something warm stirs in my chest at that.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sKarztsZ
"But—"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkHuNMpm2Y
"No buts," she says firmly. "Any weekend. Dinner. My house, as long as you have the time. And bring your brother and friend"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHhoyi0pls
I laugh, shaking my head. "You're too kind, and very persuasive"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3bVCnhUBi
She grins. "That's why I win."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofzJLoo1qR
I sigh, knowing I've lost. "Alright, alright. I'll come."
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedmAi6Y5gK
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!"
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq5ffkwqey
And just like that, I realize moving to this neighborhood might have been one of the best things to ever happen to me.
ns18.119.167.222da2
