Page 31 of A Taste of Grace

“Good morning, Ms. Grace. We had fun.” They repeated the words after each other.

“I enjoyed you, too. Remember to listen to your Daddy and be good today.”

“We will.” They chimed.

“Say bye.”

After a pause, they each said goodbye. Even through the phone, I heard the patter of their feet as they ran away. I smiled, recalling how energetic they were when something excited them.

“I’m back.” Caleb’s voice deepened again, alerting me he was off speakerphone.

“Call me anytime, Grace. Day or night. I like talking with you.”

“Same. Have a good day.”

“You too.”

For the second time that day, I felt warm and fuzzy as I engaged with Caleb. He knew how to put a smile on my face andkeep it there. If I could bottle this goodness and sell it, I would be a billionaire.

I felt so good about my night with Caleb and the girls, I texted Nita and invited her to my house that afternoon as a thank you. As soon as she accepted, I began my preparation of a light lunch of homemade tuna and fruit salad. Around noon, I readied a table outside, mirroring the festive, laid-back summers I enjoyed with my parents.

When Nita arrived, she gave me a big hug and presented me with a devotional book and a cute mug that said “Blessed.”

“You didn’t have to do this. Your presence is gift enough.”

“You deserve good things, sweetie. I’m pouring into you so you can pour into others.”

“It’s funny you said that. I thought I was meant to live in my quiet corner of the world and just be.”

Nita rested her eyes on me but didn’t say anything. After we fixed our plates and sat, she blessed the food. We ate in silence for several minutes before she propped her elbows on the table with her hands clasped.

“Tell me about your time with the girls and Caleb.”

I smiled.

“The girls are precious. They stole my heart.”

“Did Caleb steal your heart, too?”

I lowered my head and blushed. Nita was so darn direct, just like her nephew.

“No. I mean, I don’t know. I just met the man.”

Nita shook her head and clicked her tongue.

“You’re deflecting. What happened between y’all last night?” She popped a grape in her mouth.

I poked around my plate, then raised an eyebrow.

“If he weren’t your nephew, I might say. But I don’t want to be messy or inappropriate.”

“I can be an auntie and a friend. We’re having girl talk.”

I took a big breath and nodded.

“Caleb is fascinating and kind. I want to know more about him.”

Nita wiped her mouth with her napkin and chuckled, her body jiggling with each laugh.

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