Chapter 51
51
LAYLA
T oday, I’m on my own.
I don’t understand why that simple statement feels so heavy.
With Archer being at work right now, it takes me longer to get around. It’s almost embarrassing how much I’ve come to rely on him without even realizing it. I’m going to owe him a gigantic thank-you when all of this is over.
He just always jumps in and does whatever he can to help me or Sky when we’re leaving the house. Putting on Sky’s shoes. Zipping up jackets. Making extra trips back into the house to grab whatever we’ve forgotten.The man is a lifesaver.
Maybe he loves you , a voice at the back of my mind whispers. Maybe he does all that for you because he loves you.
But I know the truth. Unless Archer utters those three little words to me, it would be stupid of me to make assumptions about his feelings. For now, I choose to assume that he’s only doing all these nice things because he’s a good guy. He’d help any woman in distress, no matter the situation. Besides, waiting around for my son and me to get ready would probably make him late to work every single day if he weren’t pitching in so much.
In any case, it’s going to be tough when it’s time to move out. Not just because I’ll miss the extra help. Because I’ll miss Archer .
My heart is already broken and we haven’t even moved out yet. I can imagine it’s only going to get worse when there’s actual distance between us.
I load Sky’s diaper bag full of toys and snacks into my car. Then we make the short drive to visit Razor’s grandmother at the nursing home.
After signing in at the front desk, we meet Grandma Dory in the cafeteria area. The room is buzzing with chatter and music, with lots of elderly men and women working together on an arts and crafts project. Glitter flecks and snowflake cutouts litter the floor as I carry Sky across the room.
We find that Grandma Dory is sitting off to the side at a smaller table. I’m about to ask why she’s not doing crafts with her friends, but as I approach, I notice a well-dressed gentleman standing next to her with a briefcase in front of him.
I frown. “Grandma Dory?” I say, a little uncertainty in my voice.
“Layla! Skylar!” With a smile, the older woman waves us over. “Sit. Sit.” She points at the extra chairs at the table.
I quickly get Sky set up with his toys on the floor nearby so he can play. Then I sit where I’m told. There’s a stack of paperwork on the table in front of me. I eyeball the documents warily.
Grandma Dory is wearing a cheeky grin as she slides a pen in my direction. “I just need you to sign a few of those papers for me, dear.”
My eyes dart up to the man who’s hovering over us. I feel a little weird with him watching me.
Then I look back at the older woman. “I don’t understand. What’s happening? Is something wrong?”
“No, no. Nothing’s wrong,” she says dismissively. “This is George. He’s my lawyer.”
My brows dip lower. “What do you need a lawyer for?”
She huffs a weak laugh. “Well, when you get to be my age, you need to get your affairs in order.”
I shake my head. “You’re healthier than I am. You’re gonna outlive us all.”
She nods confidently. “Even still. I have some things in my possession that I no longer need.”
I blink in confusion, waiting for her to go on.
“Layla, I’m going to pass my house over to you and Sky. Legally,” she announces. “All you have to do is sign, and the property is yours.”
My jaw flaps open. “Wh-what? I…I don’t…Why would you do that for me?”
She goes all sassy, wiggling her neck at me. “No. The better question is, why didn’t you tell me that my grandson kicked you out of the house? With a baby, for crying out loud! Why did I have to hear about the drama through the grapevine? Why didn’t you tell me?!”
Wow. I’ve never seen her this angry.
I shake my head. “I didn’t want to stir up any more trouble.”
“Trouble? Layla, you’re not trouble. You were the best thing in that boy’s life and he screwed it up,” she says indignantly.
“You can’t give me the house. Razor lives there now.” I have no idea why I’m defending him. Maybe I’m a people-pleaser. Or maybe I’m just in shock over this whole conversation.
She scoffs, slicing her hand through the air. “Don’t you worry about that Ansel,” she grumbles dismissively. “He’s such a dumbass.”
I chuckle. I can’t help it.
“I’m having him evicted,” she goes on. “George will take care of it.”
My eyes bulge. This little old lady is ruthless.
Her expression softens when she glances at Sky. “I want you to have the house, so that my great-grandson will always have a home.”
I lean over, wrapping my arms around the older woman, tears now streaming down my face. She hugs me back and I just continue to cry. I’m such a blubbering mess that even the other senior citizens are starting to pause their crafts and gawk in my direction.
“I just…I can’t believe you would do this for us.”
“You and Sky mean a lot to me, dear. I don’t have a need for the house, and you do. I certainly don’t want my reckless grandson tearing it up and using it as a whorehouse!”
I gasp. See? Ruthless! Then I laugh through my tears.
She continues. “I want a family in my house. I want kids raised there. I want a swing set built in the backyard, where Sky and all his little friends can play.”
I nod, wiping my eyes with my sleeve. “I’ve always loved your home, and I know Sky will appreciate having a stable place to grow up.”
Stability. Safety. It’s all I want for my son and me.
By now, Sky has noticed my tears and he comes toddling over to me. He crawls into my lap, and wipes at my face. His big, worried eyes make me cry even more.
“No cry, Mommy. No cry,” he all but begs me.
“It’s okay. Mommy’s okay.” I kiss his forehead. “We’re going to be okay. We’re going to be great, baby boy.”
My son stays protectively on my lap as the lawyer guides me through all the paperwork. I sign and sign and sign some more. My hand hurts by the time I’m finished.
After the lawyer takes the papers and leaves, we stay and hang out with Grandma Dory a bit longer. I’m still in disbelief and I need a minute to process this twist of fate.
After some cuddle time with Sky, Grandma Dory declares that she’s tired. We help her back to her room, give each other some extra long, teary hugs, and I continue to thank her profusely.
I am still in a daze when I get home to Archer later in the evening. I carry Sky into the house, gently laying him in his crib since he fell asleep in his carseat on the way home.
Then I walk back into the living room where Archer is already bringing our bags in from the car without me even having to ask.
I stare blankly out the window into the snowy forest beyond, all the way to the warm white back porch lights glowing through the copse of trees a few houses down.
That’s my house now. Mine.
I feel like I’m floating, outside of my body. Things like this don’t happen to me. Good things just don’t happen to me.
Archer approaches, coming to stand next to me. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”
I nod, but it feels more like a wobble.
I turn and face him fully. “I…I…I’m now a homeowner.”