Summer on Blossom Street (Blossom Street #6)(44)

“What things?” I glanced at her as I drove.

“My clothes and stuff.”

The question confused me. “For lunch?”

She looked directly at me, her eyes narrowed. “What about after lunch? You aren’t taking me back to Mrs. Boyle?”

“No.” I shook my head as I waited for a light. A hint of a smile came to her, so f leeting that I thought I might have misread it.

“Did you think that’s what was happening?” I asked, shocked by her assumption. I probably should’ve mentioned my plan earlier and regretted that I hadn’t.

She didn’t answer.

“Actually, I wanted this to be a surprise, but I might as well tell you now,” I said.

I saw her stiffen, as though surprises of any kind were bad and something to be avoided.

“We’re on our way to the Kent Juvenile Facility so you can visit your brother.”

“Lee?” She jerked her neck to look at me with such speed I actually wondered if she’d dislocated it. “I get to see Lee? ”

“I certainly hope so. I called Evelyn Boyle and she set it up for us.” Not without pulling a few strings, I suspected. From that moment forward, Casey couldn’t sit still. Once I’d parked the car in the garage outside the facility, she nearly leaped out the passenger door.

Thankfully, everything went smoothly when I introduced

Casey and myself. While the receptionist led her back to visit with her brother, I sat in the waiting area and took out my knitting. Because my little shop on Blossom Street had grown so busy, I found less and less time for my own projects. I knew I’d have a full hour to work on a sweater I was making for Cody. He’d chosen the colors himself—a dark green and brown that looked almost like camouf lage when they were knit together. I’d have it f inished before he started school. I’d offered to knit a poncho for Casey but she’d rejected the idea. It’d hurt my feelings but I didn’t let her know that. I had a pattern that several teenage girls had made, and I’d been so sure she’d like one.

The hour passed quickly. I spent it knitting—making substantial progress—thinking over some plans for the store and daydreaming about a baby. When Casey reappeared, her eyes were shining and she hurried over to me.

I tucked my knitting in my bag and stood. “How’d it go?” I asked.

“Great! Just great.”

“Are you ready for lunch?”

“Yeah.” She seemed delighted that I’d remembered. “I’m starved.”

Since she was in such a good mood, I took a chance and placed my arm lightly around her shoulders. To my private satisfaction she didn’t shake it off.

We chose a small Mexican restaurant in downtown Kent and decided to eat outside on the patio. We both ordered cheese enchiladas with rice and beans, which happened to be the luncheon special.

“Lee’s doing really well,” Casey said, volunteering the information between bites of chips and salsa.

“Will he be out soon?” I was curious to learn why he’d been incarcerated but Evelyn hadn’t told me. Reading between the lines, I guessed it was for vandalism—probably not a f irst offense, either. Casey scooped up more salsa. “He’ll be released this fall. There’s a new program through the state that helps foster kids with college expenses. Lee got his GED while he’s been here and he’s applied to take classes at Highline Community College this September. Oh, and he was really on my case about staying in school. I promised I would—and I will.”

“That’s wonderful.” I nodded vigorously. I wanted her to know how much I approved. “Does Lee have a place to live and a job for when he gets out?”

“That’s the best part. He’s going into a group home and they’ll help him f ind a job. Lee really wants to make it, you know? And I want him to, ’cause when he’s got a real address and everything, I can go live with him.”

“I’m so glad.”

“Only…only that might take a while.” She lowered her head.

“I don’t think he wants to be stuck with his little sister too soon.”

Her eyes dimmed slightly. “I can always hope it works out, though. Right?”

“Right,” I said. I hoped Lee managed to stay on the straight and narrow so Casey could join him in a home of their own.

“He might go in the army. I don’t know if that’s a good idea, but he said he’s considering it.”

In that case, she wouldn’t be able to live with him.

“When’s the last time you saw your brother?” I asked. Casey paused, a chip half buried in the salsa. “I don’t remember. Two years ago, I think. He almost didn’t recognize me.”

“Two years? ”

“We talk on the phone and stuff, but it’s hard….”

“The state couldn’t keep you together?”

She snickered. “They have enough trouble f inding a home for one kid.”

I was completely naive about the foster care program. All I knew was that there was a desperate need for families willing to take in kids.

Our meals arrived, and we dug into our lunch with enthusiasm. To my astonishment Casey spoke nearly nonstop. Alix had been so right; reconnecting her with her brother had broken down a barrier between us. It was as if I’d suddenly become trustworthy in her eyes. For the f irst time since she’d come to stay with us, I heard about her parents.