Page 79 of Sycamore Circle

Anthony dutifully made a t sound.

“Good. Come on now.” When he still looked tense, she rubbed his arm. “Anthony, it’s just us, right? I’m not going to criticize you or laugh.” He’d shared how kids in his classes used to make fun of him—and even some of his teachers mocked him. She wished she could march into his past and give everyone a piece of her mind.

“B... oo... t,” he whispered.

She smiled. “That’s right. And you know the word mom. So come on now.”

He blinked. For a second, something that looked like real anger lit his face. “You can sure get bossy, Joy. You’re ordering me around.”

“No, I’m trying to help you. Are you ready, Anthony?”

He nodded, seemed to brace himself, then very slowly repeated the word that had been giving him fits. “B... oooo...t.” He blinked. “That’s boot.”

Joy was practically doing handsprings in her head. At long last, he’d gotten it! “You did it again. Yay!”

“You sound like a cheerleader.”

She chuckled. “I guess I do. I’m so proud of you.”

When he smiled, his expression transformed again. It was almost like she’d imagined that surge of anger she’d witnessed. “Me too.”

“Now, are you feeling better?” When he nodded, she added, “Good. Let’s read that whole sentence.”

He stared hard at the words, seemed to mentally practice them, then said, “Mom put on a boot.” He blinked like he was shocked. “Is that right?”

“Oh yes.” Unable to help herself, she reached for his hand and squeezed it. He looked startled by her touch, but squeezed her hand back, blushing. “We’ve got the rest of this page to get through. Let’s go.”

It took another twenty minutes, but he did it. Anthony read the page. When he finished, he tilted back his head. “I’m sweating.”

“I think I am, too. You’re doing so good, Anthony. You’re going to be in here sipping coffee and reading a book before you know it.”

“I’d settle just for being able to read everything at the grocery store.”

“I bet if you went to Kroger tonight you might be able to read more words than you realize.”

He shrugged. “I wish I could, but I gotta go. I’ve got to get to work. These buildings don’t clean themselves, you know.” After glancing across the room, his voice flattened. “You’ve got company again.”

“I do?” Apprehension slammed into her as she turned.

Seeing it was Bo, everything settled into place. She wasn’t sure what was going on between the two of them, but she was sure that it was something good.

Bo was in a black T-shirt, jeans, and boots. His blond hair was a little mussed, like he’d been running his hands through it in a distracted way. He was also glaring at something on his phone. Two of his buddies were sitting next to him. All three of them were sipping coffee. How had she missed them coming in?

When one of the guys saw her looking their way, he elbowed Bo. He jerked his head up. Fastening those eyes directly on her.

Practically making the rest of the world disappear—or, at the very least, making her forget just about everything except her name. What could she do but smile at him?

He stood up.

“Is that your man?” Anthony said.

She blinked. How had she been so unaware that he was still there? “Kind of.” When his expression seemed to darken, Joy added, “He’s a good friend.”

“Uh-huh.”

She felt her cheeks heat. “Good luck with the rest of your day, Anthony.” She was being a little abrupt but she wasn’t comfortable with him getting so personal.

Anthony smiled, like everything was back in place in his head again. “Yes, ma’am.” Shrugging his backpack on his shoulder, he quirked a brow. “So... next week?”

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