“No, of course not. It’s, unfortunately, what has to happen.”
“You should not dwell on such things that are not in your control.”
“I know.” I look away. “But I can’t help it. I know it’ll happen when it happens,.”
“My sources tell me it’ll be soon.” He grins at me.
“Your sources, huh?”
“The spirits whisper to me, you know?”
“How high are you right now?” I ask, laughing.
He laughs back. “On a scale of one to ten? I’m a solid twelve, m’dear.”
“Well” —I shrug, suppressing a laugh— “I guess it could be worse.”
“I think the word you’re looking for i
s better. It could be better.”
I shake my head and twiddle with the laces on my sneakers to have something to do with my hands.
“I know you can’t help but get down some days, it’s natural, but find something that makes you happy and focus your energy on that. The other stuff will fade away.”
“Thanks, Julio.”
“Anytime.” He points at me with a small smile. “You do not visit me enough, Ms. Willa.”
“I know, I’m sorry for that.”
“It’s okay. You have your own life, I know.”
I snort. Some life I have.
“Come with me,” he says, standing.
I follow him to a small back room where he keeps his new stock. He moves fluidly, not bumping into anything—someone who didn’t know wouldn’t even realize he’s blind.
“Aha,” he peals, closing his hand around a bracelet and holding it out for me. “When I got this in, I knew I must give it to Ms. Willa. To bring her sunshine and luck.”
I take the bracelet from him and twirl it in my fingers. It boasts yellow beads, interspersed with shells, with a single charm dangling from it—a silver sun.
“It’s perfect,” I tell him honestly, slipping it on.
“Every time you look at it,” he tells me, “think of something happy.”
“Thank you, Julio.” I hug the man who’s shown me nothing but kindness the last three years. He’s right, I don’t visit him enough, and I feel bad for that.
“You come see me again soon, Ms. Willa.”
“I will.” And this time, it’s not an empty promise, it’s a vow.
I leave the store and Harlow, Meredith, and Spencer are no longer at the game. I stroll for a bit and spot Harlow waving to me from a picnic table set up outside a food stand. I weave through the crowd and join them.
“I got you a sandwich, I hope that’s okay.” There’s an apology in her eyes as she and Spencer eat a hot dog—which I’m not allowed to eat. Meredith, however, is eating a sandwich like mine.
“This is fine,” I tell my sister. “Thanks for getting it.”