Page 15 of Christmas Wishes

With the shop closed I had some time in my hands so I got the ingredients to make a lasagna for dinner for Gene, Connor and his friends. When my hands are busy I feel more relaxed and in control. It's been a couple of hours since I last saw Gene and I wonder what he thinks he can do to help our situation.

I'm just sad because I think me and Connor will have to leave Woodland Falls. I don't even know if I'll be able to open up the shop somewhere else or if I'll have to take on a job working for someone else. I'll probably work less hours but there's nothing like the feeling that you are your own boss. I'll miss that.

I spend the rest of the afternoon filling out the paperwork the man at the bank gave me. It's definitely a reality check for me. When it's almost time for dinner I hear the front door open. I'm glad to see Connor's face and a couple of other ones behind him. Trailing them is Gene and I give him a big smile.

"Lilah, these are my friends, Brad and Owen."

"Hey boys, it's nice to meet you. Are you guys hungry? I made lasagna."

Their eyes pop open like I've just told them they've won a million dollars. Connor just rolls his eyes and sits down in the couch in front of the TV. He's got his gaming system set up so they start talking about the games they like.

Gene comes over to me in the kitchen. I can tell he wants to give me a kiss but doesn't want to do it in front of an audience.

"How was the rest of your day, sweetheart?" He whispers.

"Okay, I guess."

"Do you need me to help you with dinner?"

"I can handle it, but I'm glad for the company."

He sits in one of the stools behind the kitchen counter and watches me intently from there. I find it stimulating the way his eyes follow me around the kitchen. Like he can't get enough from me. When I go set up the table he follows me and helps me.

Before long I'm calling the boys to sit down to dinner. It's like having a big family. The boys are polite and thank me for the food. Then they all dive in and it's a little bit scary watching these three young men devour their food like they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

"So boys, how are things with your foster parents?"

Their movements freeze in mid air and tension swallows me whole.

"They're fine." Brad says.

"Yeah, fine." Owen says.

"Is that why you guys have been getting into all sorts of trouble in school and out of it?" Gene asks.

If the air around us was tense, it increases considerably.

"That's none of your business." Connor barks.

"It is if it's affecting you and therefore your sister. She's very important to me."

Connor looks at his friends and nods.

"They don't really care about us. They have three other foster kids and two of their own. For now it's just a place to lay down our heads. We're saving up." Brad says.

"Maybe I should talk to them." Gene says.

"Please, no. That will make things worse for us." Owen says.

"Okay, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to come to me or Lilah. We'll help any way we can."

After they finished their dinner, the kids claimed they were full. That is, until I told them there was ice cream for dessert. They ate it while playing video games. I sat with Gene watching them have fun. Right now the only thing on their mind was that game, all other things forgotten.

"Do you think we should talk to the foster parents anyway? Or their social worker?" I ask him.

"I'm not sure. I do think we need to keep an eye on them for the time being. Everything they do affects Connor's behavior."

"I know."

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