Page 31 of To Believe In You
He brushed the blades of the pruners against the shrub, looking for longer branches that otherwise wouldn’t stick out until Dad or Pete inspected his work.
Krissy found another weed to pull. “You’re living up there, away from everybody, and working for a pretty woman who has an ex who’s bothering her. Are you sure you need to get in the middle of their drama?”
“I’m hardly in the middle.”
“Tell me you don’t want to be.” She leveled a look at him.
She had him there.
Krissy resumed cleaning up the flowerbed. “Whatever you do, don’t jeopardize your sobriety.”
He stilled the pruners. “I won’t. I promise.”
She spared him another frown.
“I won’t.” He’d spent the last year learning his triggers and weaknesses. He’d learned to talk regularly with his sponsor and others who would hold him accountable. He knew the warning signs and the consequences of giving in. He’d experienced the natural high of looking back—even just hours later—on a good choice.
Whether she believed him or not, Krissy worked in silence.
To break the strain, Matt tossed a handful of leaves at her.
She huffed, rolled her eyes, and fluffed her shirt until the leaves fluttered to the mulch. Then a smile crept onto her lips.
“Want to hear some good news?” Matt asked.
“Sure.”
“I had some interviews this morning. You’re looking at Lakeshore’s newest pizza delivery guy.”
She squinted at him in the sunlight, and for one perilous moment, he couldn’t tell if she’d veer toward pity or pride. “Have they seen your car?” A smirk stole across her face.
“Hey now.” He looked toward the lot, but the building blocked his view of the Brownmobile.
“I saw you drive in.” Krissy motioned to the street, then stooped to gather more brush.
Matt started a new shrub. “I figured I should visit while I can, before I start working weekends.”
“Couldn’t get them to only schedule you during the week?”
“I might’ve been able to, but Saturdays are their busiest day. Besides, I’ll be juggling a few jobs when it’s all said and done. Working weekends is inevitable.”
Krissy carried a load over to the trailer and returned with heavy steps. “Sorry it’s come to this, working so many entry-level jobs to get by. I wish I could make it easier for you.”
The pity had won after all.
“I’ve had it easy. That’s how I ruined my life. Remember?”
The corner of Krissy’s mouth bit into her cheek. “I guess. But … still.”
“Everything is exactly the way it should be. Easy isn’t the answer. The answer is in the struggle.”
“The answer is in the Bible,” Krissy countered.
“And the Bible is full of struggles.”
“A little short on pizza delivery guys, though.”
Matt coughed on laughter. Maybe she did pity him some, but this felt good. Working with his hands, here with family. He’d keep struggling until everyone who cared about him could stop worrying. Until he could right his wrongs and move into his future with fewer regrets.
