“Hello to you, too,” Shay said, laughing.

Sarah stopped mid-step as if she’d missed something. “You still want to fix my hair, don’t you?”

“Of course. I brought some hair clips along.”

“You did?” For a moment I thought Sarah was going to keel over with joy. “I haven’t had hair clips in forever.”

“I appreciate this, Shay,” I said as she walked in front of me. “Sarah’s been counting the hours until you got here.”

The two disappeared into the other room and the football game started. The Patriots and Seahawks were evenly matched. Mark and I were quickly involved in cheering for the Hawks. Not until halftime did I realize I hadn’t heard a peep out of Sarah or Shay.

“Daddy, Daddy.” Sarah raced out into the living room. “Look,” she cried and thrust out her hands for me to see. “Shay and I had a spa afternoon. She brought nail polish and she painted my nails and my toes, too.”

“You look beautiful,” I said, smiling at my daughter, who was bubbling over with excitement. She stood with her weight balanced on her heels to keep the nail polish on her toes off the carpet. “Shay did my hair, too.” She whirled around like a ballerina, her long braid twirling with her.

“Move,” Mark shouted. “You’re blocking the television.”

“It’s halftime,” I reminded my son.

“Can Shay and I pop popcorn?” Sarah asked.

“Of course. Great idea.” I wasn’t sure I had any of the microwave stuff, but I was fairly confident I had kernels.

Looking nervous, Shay came into the living room. She rubbed her hands together as she spoke. “I hope you don’t mind my painting Sarah’s nails. She was excited and said you wouldn’t mind.”

“It’s fine,” I assured her, more interested now that the third quarter of the game was about to start.

“I would have asked, but it looked like you were wrapped up in the game.”

“Not a problem.” Glancing over my shoulder, I made my way into the kitchen to show Shay where to find what she and Sarah would need for the popcorn.

Before long the entire house was filled with the scent of popping corn, and my mouth started to water.

Sarah brought me a large bowl and another for her brother before she and Shay joined us in the living room. Shay sat on the sofa between the two kids. Sarah leaned her head against her and Mark looked completely at ease, munching away on the popcorn.

“What’s the score?” Shay asked, glancing toward the television.

“The Seahawks are tied with the Patriots,” Mark supplied before I could.

“Can you stay a little while longer?” Sarah asked.

Shay looked to me as though seeking my approval. “Stay,” I said. Shay had managed to keep my daughter occupied for a good part of the afternoon. That had freed me up to enjoy the game and spend time with Mark. Normally Sarah would be constantly interrupting us. This was the most peaceful Seahawks game I’d enjoyed all season.

“We win this game and we’re assured of getting into the playoffs,” I explained, leaning forward.

“Did you notice my hair, Daddy?”

“It looks wonderful, pumpkin.”

—

Halfway through the third quarter, Sarah grew bored with football. “Will you play a game with me, Shay?” she asked. “It’s one my mom and I used to play.”

Sarah’s request caught my attention. Sarah had played Candyland with Katie and hadn’t touched the board game since Katie’s death. I waited to see if that was the one she’d bring out from her bedroom, and, sure enough, it was.

For just a moment my chest tightened. Part of me was happy that Sarah had connected with Shay enough to play her favorite game. Another part of me heard Linda’s words of caution ringing in the back of my head. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea to allow Shay to get too close to my children.

By her own admission, Shay had made several mistakes in her life. She’d turned that around, which was wonderful, and I was pleased for her. But the test would come in the weeks that followed Shay’s graduation as she lived in the real world outside the protected one at the center.

“Touchdown!” Mark threw his arms into the air and leaped to his feet.

I’d been so caught up in my thoughts about Shay and Sarah that I hadn’t paid attention to what was happening on the television screen. I laughed while Mark did a happy dance around the coffee table.

Looking up from the board game that Sarah had on the kitchen table, she rolled her eyes and said to Shay, “Men!”

I had to laugh. It was a stirring moment. This was rare. I was smiling and happy. When I’d buried my wife I assumed this sense of contentment would be forever lost. And yet my children were content, my life was back on an even keel, and the church was prospering. It felt good. Really good.

Shay stayed until after the football game. At the last minute the Seahawks were able to pull out a victory, which made Mark and me happy. When I saw that she had reached for her coat, I walked Shay to the front door with Sarah at my side.

“Thank you, Shay,” my daughter whispered. She raised her hand to her head. “I never had my hair look so pretty. Can we do another spa day someday soon?”

“Of course.” Shay smiled down at my daughter.

Sarah compulsively threw her arms around Shay’s middle and hugged her.

Night had settled in and the darkness struck me. I knew Shay was without wheels. “How are you getting back?” I asked.

“Same way I got here, by bus.”

I didn’t like the idea of her riding the bus alone at night. “I’ll drive you.”

“Drew, it’s fine, really. I take the bus all the time. It’s safe; I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”

Ignoring her, I turned to my children. “Grab your coats, we’re taking Shay home.”

“Do I have to go?” Mark cried, disgruntled to be torn away from his videogame.

“Sarah, you want to come with me?” I asked.

“My show is on, Daddy.”

“Drew, please,” Shay protested, “I’ll be fine.”

“Not happening. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for Sarah. No arguing.”

She hesitated and then reluctantly nodded. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

“It is.” I’d left the kids by themselves before, so this wasn’t anything new. If necessary, they knew how to reach me. I got my coat and car keys and called to the kids as I headed out the door. “Be good. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

The night was colder than I expected and a chill raced up my arms. I was glad I hadn’t given in and left Shay to wait at the bus stop in this weather, which looked threatening.

She continued to protest, but I wasn’t listening. I led the way to where I parked my car, unlocked it, and held open the passenger door for her. She went silent once she was inside the vehicle.

I got in the driver’s side and started the engine. It took a few minutes for the heater to kick in, so I asked for her address and entered it into my GPS while we waited for the engine to warm up. Neither of us had much to say, I noticed.

In the close confines of the car it seemed intimate with just the two of us. I glanced over at Shay and noticed she had focused her eyes on her hands, which were folded in her lap. Her head was bent forward and I saw that she was nibbling on her bottom lip. Seeing that stirred awake memories of my first dates with Katie and how it had been with us. We were both awkward with each other in the beginning.

I forced myself to look away. Shay was nothing like Katie and I appreciated that she’d given up a large part of her Sunday to entertain Sarah. I found that I liked Shay, and not just because Sarah was fond of her. I liked her for myself and that surprised me.

I hadn’t touched another woman since the moment I’d met Katie. She’d been my soulmate, the love of my life. Finding myself attracted to another woman shook me. It took me by surprise.

I felt the sudden need to break the silence.

“I’m grateful for everything you did for Sarah today.”