Page 133 of Always Us

She’s lying. I went in her bathroom and she had no shampoo. Just a bar of white soap that she must use on her hair.

“We’ll get it anyway.” I grab it and toss it in the cart. “If you don’t like it, Jade will use it.” I push the cart over to the diaper aisle and say to Sara, “I don’t know what size he is, so go ahead and pick some out.”

She puts her hands on her hips. “Okay, you guys. Stop it. This is enough. You’re not buying me any more stuff. I mean it.”

I look at Jade. “Should we tell her?”

Jade doesn’t know what I’m going to say, but she goes along with it. “Yeah, go ahead.”

I turn toward Sara, crossing my arms over my chest. “So a few weeks ago a friend of mine started a foundation to help people out with expenses. Just until they can get a good job, go to school, whatever.”

Sara keeps her eyes on me. “Is this a friend from high school?”

“No. He’s like five years older than me. He’s a swimmer, so I’d see him at the pool and that’s how we got to be friends. Anyway, he’s like a computer genius and he’s made all these software programs and sold them for millions of dollars. That’s why he started the foundation. He’s not a materialistic guy. He doesn’t want all that money. He just likes developing software, and doing so makes him a lot of money.”

“And he just likes to give it away?”

“Pretty much. But he likes to give money to people who deserve it. People who are working hard but just need a little help making ends meet. The other day he called and asked if I knew anyone who could be one of the first people to benefit from his foundation. So what do you think? Are you willing to take his money? Because he would really appreciate it.”

Sara laughs. “You’re kidding, right? Some rich guy wants to give me money?”

Jade leans in closer to her and says, “I know this guy and I’m telling you, he’s got more money than he’ll ever spend. And he makes more every day. He doesn’t know what to do with it all.”

She smiles. “Um, okay. So what do I do?”

I point to the cart. “Fill this thing up. Get whatever you want.”

“But he doesn’t even know me.”

“I hope you’re not mad, but I kind of already told him about you. And he was really impressed that you work full-time and take care of Caleb all by yourself.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He was very impressed. And then he asked if you needed help with housing and I told him I’d have to ask you first. But I think you should take him up on the offer. You could get a new apartment. You don’t want to live at your current place now that you know about the cockroaches.”

“He’d really do that for me? Help me with rent? Because if I got a better place, I could pay some of the rent. I just can’t afford all of it.”

“Then you’re the perfect candidate. So should I tell him yes? You’ll help him get rid of some of his money?”

She nods, tears running down her face. “Yes. Tell him thank you.”

Jade hugs her. “Don’t cry, Sara. This is a good thing.”

“I can’t believe a stranger would help me like this.”

“He’s not a total stranger.” Jade smiles at me. “He’s Garret’s friend.”

Sara looks at me, sniffling, her eyes all red. “I have to meet him or call him, so I can tell him thank you.”

“He wants to remain anonymous. He’s a computer nerd. You know how those guys are. He’s quiet, likes to be left alone.”

“Maybe I could write him a thank you letter?”

“Sure. You could do that. Just give it to me and I’ll make sure he gets it.” I motion to the shelves. “Now would you pick out some diapers? I’m getting hungry. We need to eat dinner, then get this guy to bed.” I point to Caleb, who’s sitting in the cart, yawning.

“Okay.” She picks up a box of generic diapers.

“Name brand, Sara,” I tell her. “We’ll never spend the guy’s money buying the generic.”

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