Chapter 30
I stood by the front window, peeking through the curtains for the umpteenth time. Anya was due any minute. Gabriella, bless her heart, was busy in the kitchen, making enough coffee to jazz up an entire army. But as for me? I couldn’t sit still.
“You okay, Auntie Joyce?” Gabriella called from the kitchen. Her voice had that sweet lilt of care, like she knew how nervous I was but was trying not to make a big deal about it.
“I’m fine,” I muttered, though I wasn’t sure if I believed it. “I just wish she’d get here already.”
Just then, the faint sound of tires slowing, then rolling across the rocks in my driveway, caused a pounding in my chest. It was Anya. For a second, I thought about pretending like I wasn’t home. Or maybe Gabriella could tell her I’d gotten sick.
But I knew that wouldn’t solve anything. All the people who had helped me deserved to know that their work wasn’t in vain. We did this together.
Gabriella poked her head out from the kitchen, an eyebrow raised. “That better be Anya, or this coffee’s going to waste.”
I smirked despite my nerves and took a deep breath before pulling the door open.
Sure enough, Anya stood on the porch, tablet in hand, her expression as unreadable as ever.
She looked exactly as she had the last time—right down to the same black kitten heels.
It was like she had a uniform, one of those ten-item wardrobes everyone claims makes life easier.
It occurred to me for the first time that while I was stressed out today, Anya must have a stressful job every day. She’d probably made some hard recommendations, taken away keys, removed children from guardianship due to true elder abuse.
Surprisingly, compassion for her showed up in the midst of my fears. Miss Mary had been right about Anya’s plight. She wasn’t the enemy here—she was just thoroughly doing her job, and a tough one at that.
“Ms. Hicks,” she said, nodding in greeting. “Ready for the inspection?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Before I could invite her in, the sound of footsteps behind me caught my attention. Gabriella came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Hey, Anya!” she said brightly. “We’ve got coffee if you want any. Auntie Joyce made sure we were ready for you.”
Anya’s eyes flickered between the two of us, her stoic expression softening slightly. “Coffee sounds good, but first let’s get this inspection started.”
“Sure. Right this way.” I pointed toward Gabriella’s hallway again.
As I turned to lead the way, Gabriella gave me a quick, silent nod. I could feel her reassurance, like she was telling me without words: You’ve got this. We’ve got this. I took a breath and nodded back, my heart calming ever so slightly.
I guided Anya through the house, trying not to hover but failing miserably.
Every creak of the floorboards, every tiny imperfection, felt magnified in that moment.
Anya inspected everything with the precision of a surgeon, jotting down notes on her tablet, taking pictures, running her hand along the edges of the windows, checking the caulking, and testing the plumbing.
I followed her silently, every step filled with anticipation. My mind raced through everything Wardell, Richard, and the others had worked on. Surely we hadn’t missed anything…right?
Just as Anya was bending down to check the baseboards, there was a knock at the door.
I froze, shooting Gabriella a look that screamed Who’s that?
Gabriella shrugged, heading toward the door. “Probably just a friendly face,” she said with a wink, swinging the door open.
Sure enough, Richard stood there, a casual smile on his face. “Hey, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. How’s the inspection going?”
I raised an eyebrow, but before I could say anything, Eileen showed up right behind him, holding a tin. “I brought a little something for after the inspection,” she said, beaming. “Thought you could use the sugar boost.” She lifted the lid slightly, revealing a few dozen cookies. “Chocolate chip.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the timing. “Y’all just ‘happened’ to stop by, huh?”
Richard rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Moral support, Joyce. You know we’ve got your back.”
Anya watched the scene unfold, her clipboard lowered now and a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You’ve got quite the team here, Ms. Hicks,” she said.
I nodded, glancing around at Gabriella, Richard, and Eileen. “Thank you both for coming,” I said softly, realizing just how much that meant.
The three of them followed Anya and me toward the kitchen, and that’s when the real show began. Richard, Eileen, and Gabriella were practically breathing down Anya’s neck, making comments as she moved from room to room.
“Look at that caulking job!” Richard said, a little too enthusiastically, pointing to the kitchen windows. “Sealed tighter than a drum.”
Eileen chimed in, leaning over to inspect the same window. “And don’t you just love how smooth the plumbing work is now? That’s craftsmanship!”
Gabriella gave a knowing smile but didn’t say a word, just watched the show unfold.
I caught Anya’s eyes for a split second, and there it was—the tiniest smirk tugging at her lips.
She knew exactly what was going on but wasn’t about to ruin it.
Her professional demeanor stayed intact, but I could tell she was amused.
All right, all right, I thought. Maybe we’re overdoing it just a bit.
Anya finished her inspection of the last room and straightened up, her pen hovering over her clipboard as she prepared to give her final assessment.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, there was another knock at the door.
“Oh, Lord,” I muttered under my breath. “Who now?”
It was Wardell and Christine, stepping inside like they’d been invited to a cookout. “Hey there!” Wardell boomed, his eyes immediately taking in the scene. “Saw all the cars in the lot and figured there must be a party goin’ on!”
Anya raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, watching as Wardell surveyed the room like he didn’t know exactly what was happening. “Well, don’t this place look mighty fine!” he said, nodding approvingly. “Who’s this?” he asked, gesturing toward Anya like he hadn’t a clue.
Anya, keeping her composure, said, “My name is Anya. And I agree with you. It looks like several construction pros came through here for these repairs, great and small.”
Wardell puffed out his chest and couldn’t help but grin. “Well, you know… We do what we can,” he said, obviously pleased with himself.
Christine rolled her eyes and gave him a playful slap on the arm.
“Christine, Wardell,” I interjected, trying to steer the moment back to the main event, “Anya was just about to let us know her final thoughts.”
“Well,” Anya began, glancing over her notes, her eyes scanning the room one last time. “Everything seems to be in order. The repairs are solid, the plumbing is fixed, and the windows are sealed properly. I’m happy to say that your house has passed inspection, Ms. Hicks.”
A wave of relief washed over me, my knees nearly buckling from the release of tension. I’d been holding my breath for so long, I wasn’t even sure I remembered how to exhale. Applause and a few hoots ensued right there in my living room.
“Thank you, Anya,” I managed to say, my voice clogged with emotion.
“Take the wheel!” Eileen hollered to the ceiling. Clearly, she was fully healed from all sickness and disease.
She quickly covered her lips and told Anya, “It’s an inside thing.”
Anya nodded, her eyes softening. “You all have done a great job here.” She faced me now. “And it’s clear you’ve got people around you who care. That’s just as important as the repairs.” She took a bite of her cookie.
Gabriella let out a cheer, rushing over to hug me tightly. “I told you we had this!”
Richard clapped me on the back, grinning from ear to ear. “And I told you not to worry, Joyce.”
Even Eileen looked like she was about to tear up, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the love and support that filled the room.
Anya gathered her things and made her way to the door. “Good luck with everything, Ms. Hicks. You’ve earned it. I’ll send confirmation of the closed case in an email later today.” She turned to Christine. “And thanks for the cookie. It’s delicious.”
“Any time, sweetheart. But not at my house, you hear?” Christine warned.
Wardell jumped in with “It’d be all right either way. She already knows the quality of my work.”
Anya smile politely. “I’ll let myself out, if that’s okay.”
“Sure thing,” I said. “And you take care of yourself, young lady. Do more of what makes you smile, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” My house-worries walked out the door with her.
“Looks like you’re not going anywhere, Auntie Joyce,” Gabriella said, grabbing a cookie for herself.
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. “Looks like it.”
But before I could say anything else, Richard stepped closer, his eyes meeting mine in a way that made my heart skip a beat. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, and for a moment, everything went still.
I blinked, caught off guard by the tenderness of it. Without thinking, I turned and kissed him back—on the lips.
The room went silent, and when I pulled away, I could see the surprise in everyone’s eyes, and I felt my own eyes bugging out. But instead of feeling awkward or embarrassed, I felt…joy.
“I see you, Auntie Joyce!” Gabriella teased, her eyes wide with playful shock. “Going for it, huh?”
I grinned, shaking my head at her antics, but inside, I knew she was right. I wasn’t just surviving—I was living.
Joyce Hicks was back and better than ever…even if I was a little late to my own life’s show.