Page 19 of Sycamore Circle

Dark eyes clouded. “Molly was my future.”

“Yeah, well, she’s not now.”

“You’re heartless.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I’m trying to help you, yeah? Grafton, you’ve got to get on with your life and stop wishing for things that aren’t going to happen.”

Finally something Bo said seemed to sink in. Grafton blinked. “Do you really think Molly ain’t going to change her mind?”

“Yep. She’s not going to change her mind.” Hating the hurt that was shining in the guy’s eyes, Bo continued, telling himself that little kids didn’t get to hear good stuff all the time either. “Molly doesn’t want you, Grafton. She doesn’t want an ex-con boyfriend. No matter what she might have written to you or hinted when she visited once a month.”

Grafton picked up the can of pop that had been sitting on the coffee table and gulped down half of it. “I don’t know what to do.”

“That’s fine, because it’s my job to tell you what to do. You need to stay working, stay out of trouble, and keep in with your parole officer. Otherwise you’re going to slip up and be right back on the top bunk in Cell Block C.” Giving him a hard look, Bo added, “You don’t want to be back in Cell Block C, Grafton.”

Grafton slowly nodded. “You’re right.”

Bo felt like shouting hallelujah. He settled for moving things along. “Who else have you talked to? Your family?”

“My sister. That’s it.”

“How did it go?”

He shrugged. “She took my call. So there’s that.”

Thinking of how his own brother thought he was scum, Bo nodded. “It’s hard, ain’t it?”

“Yeah. Did your Ma ever want to see you again?”

“Yep, but she’s down in Kentucky. We only see each other two or three times a year.”

“Is that enough?”

Bo shrugged. “It is what it is.”

Grafton pursed his lips. “We done?”

“Yep.” Standing up, Bo clapped Grafton on the back. “Listen, I want you to think of something to do every time you start pining for Molly. Work or work out. Watch a movie, read a book... something, you know?”

“In other words, keep busy.”

He nodded. “It sounds stupid, but it helps.”

“I’ll try.” Just as he was about to open Bo’s door, Grafton turned around. “Hey, any luck with that woman?”

“What woman?”

“The woman who wrote her number on your hand. Did she give you the time of day?”

It seemed Grafton wasn’t the only one who’d been naive. Bo really hadn’t thought that Joy’s number on his hand would’ve caused anyone’s notice. “I’m not talking about her with you.”

“Fine.” He held up his hands. “I won’t ask about her again.”

After Grafton went on his way, Bo looked for Mason. He found him in the kitchen, talking with Elizabeth next to the stove. She came in to cook three times a week. At first, Bo had been leery of having a woman working as a cook in the house, but Elizabeth had shown him real fast that he had nothing to worry about. Elizabeth didn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense, and she made sure the guys knew it.

Both Mason and Elizabeth looked his way when Bo entered.

“Hey, Bo,” Elizabeth said. “You staying for supper? I’m making chicken casseroles tonight.”

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