Page 127 of Someone to Watch Over Me

“That’s what I’ve been told. I’m getting by thanks to this band of misfit toys.”

“Hey,” Naomi says, laughing with the rest of us.

“We’re a ragged bunch of misfits,” Iris says, “who love each other fiercely and will take you in, Luke and Angela, and make you part of us, if you’d still like to be after getting this up close and personal view of us.”

“Before you decide anything,” I say, “let me tell you a little story about how this group has been there for me. Mama Joy here took it upon herself to apply for a grant on my behalf that relieved me of hundreds of thousands in medical debt that my husband’s insurance didn’t cover. She’s freed me from a lifetime of being shackled to the nightmare we endured during his illness, and she did it simply because she loves me, and she wanted to. I can give you countless other examples of how these people have stepped up for each other in big and small ways.”

“That’s incredible, Joy,” Angela says.

“It made me happy to do it, and we’re all about finding happiness anywhere we can these days.”

“That’s been a challenge for me,” Angela says. “My husband, Spencer, died of an accidental fentanyl overdose, which I’m sure you all read about since it happened at Camp David with my sister and brother-in-law, the first couple.”

“Oh damn,” Luke says. “I remember that from the holidays last year, right?”

“Yes. Feels like a minute ago and a lifetime ago at the same time.”

Luke nods. “I know that feeling. My wife, Isabella—also known as Bella—was diagnosed with colon cancer when we were expecting our youngest. She postponed treatment to see the pregnancy through. She died eighteen months after Phoebe was born. Even knowing it was coming…”

“Doesn’t make the reality of it any easier,” I say.

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Managing the kids’ grief has been the hardest part for me,” Angela says. “My son, Jack, was very close to his dad. It’s been brutal.”

“I agree. The kids have been the tough part. Well, hell, it’s all hard. Bella and I were together for twelve years. I’m lost without her.”

Josie, who’s been in charge of the kids inside with Shawn, brings Charlie to his mother. “He was feeling a little sad.”

Brielle takes her little boy and holds him close.

“How about some dinner?” Iris says as some of the others get up to help her.

“That was quite something,” Tom says softly to only me.

“I’m glad you got the full experience.”

“So am I. The courage, strength, perseverance… It’s very inspiring.”

“Yes, it is.” I kiss him. “I’m going to help Iris. Be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

I walk inside with Kinsley and Naomi, chatting about our two new members and how well they seem to fit in with us. Not that we do a ton of vetting or anything like that, but new people are usually screened by whoever invites them to join. Roni will have taken the time to get to know Angela, and Iris and Gage have befriended Luke as well. It’s hard to resist offering our kind of help to people who need it so badly.

Iris assigns me to toss the salad, which has been prepped in advance with containers of chopped vegetables. She’s very good at this entertaining thing, probably because she’s constantly entertaining all of us. Tom and I should have everyone over to our place sometime to give her a break.

I’ve no sooner had that thought than a shout comes from outside that has Gage running for the door.

I hear someone yell, “Call 911,” and my whole body goes cold with fear. I want to ask what’s wrong and who is it, but I’m frozen in place as everything shifts into the kind of high gear that indicates a true emergency.

Iris rushes back inside and comes to me. “It’s Tom.”

My knees buckle, and I would’ve fallen to the ground if she hadn’t been there to hold me up. Please God.No. No. No.

Iris guides me to a chair.

I should be with him, but I can’t make my body follow the frantic screams coming from my brain.

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