23. Jasper
JASPER
I finished installing the swing Abby had picked out as the sun began to set. I was used to putting in a full day’s work at the orchard, but something had been eating at me all day, making each task seem monumental as I went through the motions of getting things ready for the Fall Festival.
Everything I’d been working for over the past several weeks was coming to an end.
Within a week, the contest would be over, Delilah would move back to Dallas, and I’d be left here, still trying to pick up the pieces.
We had to win. If Ido didn’t earn the title, I wasn’t sure what I’d be able to do to keep the world from crashing in on my family and losing the farm.
“I like it.” Abby hopped on the swing to test it out. “I think Delilah will like it, too.”
“I hope so.” I set down the drill I’d been using and sat down next to my sister.
“What happens if we don’t win the contest? Will the bank really take away the orchard? Will we really have to move?” Abby leaned her head on my shoulder.
“I hope not, Little Bug.” I pushed off the ground with my feet, setting the swing in motion. “No matter what happens, things will probably change.”
“I know. The only constant in life is change.”
I drew back to look at her. “That sounds pretty deep for a twelve-year-old. What are they teaching you in school nowadays?”
She pushed into my shoulder. “I didn’t make that up. It’s from Heraclitus. He was a Greek philosopher.”
“You’re studying philosophy now? What else did Heraclitus say?”
“You’re teasing me.”
“No, I really want to know.”
“Okay. He said, ‘A man’s character is his fate.’” She gave me a smug grin.
“And what does that mean to you?” I had to give my little sister some major credit. She just might grow up to be the smartest one out of all of us.
She screwed her lips up. “I think it means that your future depends on the kind of person you are inside.”
“I think you’re right.” I leaned into her, nudging her to the side. “What do you think about driving by the Dairy Dell on our way home? I probably owe you an ice cream cone for all of your help today.”
“A double scoop?”
“Maybe even a triple if you help me load all of this stuff back into the truck.”
When I dropped Abby off at home, I grabbed the to-go pint I’d picked up at the Dairy Dell for Delilah. The lights were on in the trailer. Even though every inch of my skin craved a shower, I couldn’t wait to see her.
She answered after a few short knocks. But instead of the smile I was hoping for, her eyes were red, and she held a wad of tissues in her hand.
“Are you okay?” I immediately held out my arms, pulling her in close.
She clung to me, her nose running, her eyes watering, her heart pounding against my chest so hard I could feel it.
“My mom left. And Helmut’s my dad. It’s been a rough day.” She mumbled the words into my chest.
“I’m sorry, Helmut’s your what?” I pulled back just far enough to make sure I’d heard her clearly. “Did you just say Helmut’s your dad?”
“Yes. He and my mom dated in high school. I think your aunt Suzy knew. My whole life has been a lie.”
“Can I come in?” I held up the brown bag. “I brought ice cream.”
Fifteen minutes later she’d relayed the events of the morning, including the news that Adeline denied being involved in the cricket infestation.
“I believe her.” Delilah slipped another spoonful of turtle cheesecake ice cream into her mouth. “She did some weird hand thing and swore on the lives of her sorority sisters that she was telling the truth.”
I’d never vouch for Adeline since I’d been on the receiving end of so many of her lies but swearing on the lives of her sorority sisters did seem like a big deal. At least in her convoluted world.
“Have you heard from your mom?”
“No. I’m sure she had her reasons, but I don’t care what they were. Lying to someone you love, that’s inexcusable, no matter what. Don’t you think so?”
I wanted to say yes. But how could I when that’s exactly what I’d been doing to my own family for the past three years?
“Jasper?” She’d dipped the spoon into the quickly disappearing pint and held it out to me. “You agree, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Inwardly, I cursed myself for not taking the opportunity to tell her the truth about my own situation right then and there.
“I knew I was right to believe in you.” She finished the last bite of the ice cream then left my lap to toss it in the trash. “When this contest wraps up, I’m done. I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
“Hmm?”
“About me being so much happier when I’m working with the girls I want to support. I’m going to talk to Monique about finding a different spokeswoman for the cosmetics line.”
“Are you sure?” I spread my legs as she stepped between them.
“I’m surer than sure.” She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and I nestled my cheek against her chest. “Coming here was the best decision I’ve ever made. What would you think about me becoming a permanent resident?”
My heart squeezed tight. “You want to stay in Ido?”
She lowered herself to perch on my thigh. “I want to stay with you.”