Page 44 of Still My Forever

The answer made sense and should have cooled Joseph’s ire, but it didn’t. “Then you should have talked to Earl before you brought it up to the band. Given him a chance to stay home this evening so he wouldn’t have to be humiliated in front of everyone. You’re so full of yourself, Gil, you never think about anybody else. That song they were just playing…is it one of yours?”

Gil nodded.

Joseph snorted. “Of course it is. You want to show off your song in front of the judges. That’s all. You don’t care about these boys. You’re just using them.”

Gil’s gaze narrowed, and the muscles in his jaw twitched. “You’re the one who suggested I teach the boys some of the songs I wrote. And I wouldn’t have signed up for the competition at all if it hadn’t been for you telling everyone at church about it. Remember? You started this, so if you want to find someone to blame, take a look in a mirror.”

The fact that Gil was right only made Joseph angrier. Why did everything concerning his cousin have to turn into a mess? Joseph growled low in his throat and held up his fist. “For two cents I’d knock you through the wall.”

“If I had two cents, I’d give it to you, because I’m sick to death of trying to please you. What do you want from me, Joseph?” Gil stared hard into his face. “Will you make up your mind?”

Joseph didn’t know what he wanted. He slowly lowered his hand and unclenched his fingers.

Gil pulled in a breath that strained the buttons on his jacket, then blew it out in a mightywhoosh.“Go home, Joseph. I’ll walk Earl to your place after practice and have a talk with him.” He pushed past Joseph and joined the group of boys who were enjoying their snack.

Joseph stayed put for a few minutes, bringing his rapid breathing under control, and then he stomped up behind Gil. He grabbed him by the arm and yanked him to the side. “Earl’s not the only boy you need to talk to. I know why Timmy stood up. His old Taunte isn’t going to spend money on a uniform for him. If he doesn’t have one, he’ll look like a fool standing with the rest of the band. Since this whole band was started for his sake, you’d better find a way not to leave him out.”

Gil jerked his arm free. “I told you to go home. I’ll talk to Earl. I’ll deal with Timmy. And the next time you get an ideaabout how I should run my life, keep it to yourself. I’m done with you.”

Ava

Ava removed thenapkin-wrapped cookies from her pocket and gave them to Gil. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Joseph storm from the room. She turned a nervous look on Gil. “Is everything all right?”

Gil aimed a glance at the doorway, where Joseph had disappeared from view. “No. No, it’s not.” Sadness pinched his face. “I might need to come by and talk to your father. Get his advice. Do you suppose he would mind?”

Mind? Papa would welcome Gil for any reason. “Nä. He will always care about the things that concern you.” As, it seemed, would she, considering how much his unhappiness affected her. He held the cookies, but he hadn’t taken a bite. Proof that something was deeply troubling him. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Thank you, but—” His frame jolted. He leaned down slightly, his penetrating gaze fixed on hers. “Maybe. Can you sew?”

Such a strange query. “Jo.”

He spun and searched the group of boys. He snapped his fingers. “Timmy, come here, please.”

The boy trudged to Gil’s side. His eyelashes clumped in moist spikes, and red blotches decorated his cheeks. Had Timmy been crying? His forlorn countenance pierced Ava’s heart. What had happened here this evening?

Gil took Timmy by the hand and Ava by the elbow. He guided both of them to the other side of the room. Then hetold Ava that the boys would participate in the End of Harvest competition with two songs and Mr. Wallace had offered to provide at-cost materials for uniforms. “There are three boys who don’t have mothers to sew for them. I don’t know for sure the parents will decide to approve uniforms, but if they do, would you be willing to make them for William Schmidt, Orly Thiessen, and Timmy?”

Ava’s heart swelled. How kind of Gil to group Timmy with the other boys. Even though his situation was different—his Taunte surely had the ability but most certainly lacked the desire to sew a uniform—Gil ascertained he wouldn’t feel singled out. “Jo, if the families need a seamstress, I’ll help.” Even if she couldn’t sew for her own children, at least these boys could be blessed by the work of her hands. It was better than nothing.

Gil flashed a grateful smile, then placed his hands on his knees, putting himself at Timmy’s level. “Timmy, you heard Miss Flaming. She can sew your uniform, so you don’t need to worry about not having one made. But fabric costs money, and someone will need to pay for it. Since you’ll be the one wearing the uniform, I think you should pay for it.”

The child’s eyes widened. “I don’t have any money, Mr. Baty.”

Gil grabbed Timmy’s skinny wrists and held up his arms. “But you have these. And a determined spirit. Which means you can work for the materials if you want the uniform badly enough. The question is, are you willing?”

Timmy nodded until his bangs flopped. “Jo. I am willing.”

Gil let go of Timmy’s wrists and stood upright. “I knew you would be. You’re a good-hearted, hardworking boy. I’m proud of you.”

The boy sniffled and rubbed his eyes with his fists. When helowered his hands, he wore a bright smile. “Thank you, Mr. Baty.”

Gil pointed to the cart. “Go have another cookie before break is over. You’ll need the energy to work hard during the rest of our time together.” He winked, and Timmy darted off. He sighed and faced Ava. “Thank you so much. That alleviated one worry.”

“One worry…” She crinkled her brow. “So you still have another?”

“At least one, if not more, but I trust your father will be able to help me.”

She wanted to help him, too. It hurt her to see the sorrow in his dark brown eyes. “If there’s anything else I can do, too, please ask.”

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