Page 7 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

“Okay,” he said.

She found his favorite superhero hoodie and a pair of gray pants and laid them on the foot of the bed. “Do you need me to pick out your socks and undies, too?”

“No!” Jimmy giggled and sat up.

“Just checking. Get yourself dressed then come meet me in the kitchen for breakfast.”

He sighed but swung his feet over the edge of the mattress.

“Ten minutes,” she warned and closed the door after stepping back into the hall.

She followed the smell of something yummy back into the kitchen, and what she found was almost enough to make her forget the terrifying reason Dean was in her house first thing in the morning. He stood in front of the stove and stirred eggs in one pan while sausage sizzled in another. Toast popped up from the toaster on the counter. A jug of orange juice and three glasses sat in the middle of the table. “What did you do?”

He turned toward her with a grin and shrugged. “Made breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage links, and toast. Hope that’s okay.”

“Are you serious? Jimmy usually gets a bowl of cereal and I’m lucky to grab a protein bar on my way out the door. This is a feast. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Grab me a plate for the sausage?”

She crossed over the tile floor and found a serving platter in the cabinet then pulled out three plates. She slid the platter on the counter next to the stove and set everything else on the table.

“I’ll scoop the eggs on the plates, so we don’t dirty more dishes then necessary,” Dean said, carrying the hot pan to the table.

“Great plan. What do you like on your toast? Butter? Jam? My mom makes the best homemade jelly. Jimmy calls it Nana Jelly.”

“Then I’ll take Nana Jelly.”

She grabbed the rest of what was needed for their breakfast as Jimmy walked in the room wide-eyed and mostly dressed except his socks and shoes.

“Mr. Dean? You came to my house to make me breakfast?”

Dean’s grin widened, showcasing the dimples beneath the scruff on his face. “Sure did. Hope you’re hungry. I made you all my specialties.”

“Where’s Boo?” Jimmy asked.

“Had to leave him at home this morning. Sorry, bud.”

Elsie’d been so wrapped up in her worry over Mila she hadn’t thought about his dog. Boo went everywhere with Dean. The poor pooch was probably lonely and needing to be let out soon. “Is he all right by himself?”

“He’s fine. Besides, if he were here, he’d try to steal all the sausage. Come on and eat before everything gets cold.”

Jimmy sat and grabbed a link from the platter. He kicked his legs and took a bite then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “So good. We have to save some for Mama.”

His innocent request erased Elsie’s appetite. She forced a smile. “You’re a thoughtful boy.”

He shrugged and took a drink of juice. “Will Mama come with us to the shelter after school? It’s Tuesday so she usually doesn’t, but since she’s workin’ late maybe she can help us with donations. You said we have lots to do so the ladies have pretty clothes for their new jobs. Then we can get ice cream. Do you like ice cream, Mr. Dean?”

Dean stilled, mouth partly opened, as if trying to keep up with the constant stream of thoughts pouring from Jimmy’s mouth.

Elsie chuckled but struggled with how to respond. Hopefully Mila would be home long before the school day let out and all of Jimmy’s plans would happen. But she didn’t want to make promises she couldn’t keep.

“Can I call Mama? I want to say hi before I get on the bus,” Jimmy said before she could respond.

All the air left her lungs. She cleared her throat to buy herself a few more seconds so she said the right thing.

“Your mom’s awfully busy,” Dean said, stepping in and saving her. “She really wishes she could talk to you before school, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen today. But Elsie and I will get you that ice cream to make it up to you.”

Jimmy’s eyes lit with excitement. “Two scoops of chocolate?”

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