“Okay,” she replied happily. She was content with that answer, knowing if I could, I would.
We entered the thrift store and I was happy to find us a couple winter coats. I also found: four new pairs of jeans (two still had their original tags from Justice on them), six tops (four with original tags), two sets of “big girl” pajamas, a pair of winter boots, and a brand-new pair of sneakers for Ella. I looked longingly at the bikes for her, but I wanted to wait. Maybe next time.
When we cashed out I was pleased to be under the budget I had planned for our shopping trip. I could afford the bike, but we still had to go grocery shopping.
“On Friday, we are having a half off sale,” the friendly clerk informed me. “We have too much inventory and a lot more in the back.”
I smiled brightly at her. “Thank you. I will be back on Friday.”
I had work, but I could always swing by here first before going in. I was excited to surprise Ella with a bike. I would have to teach her how to ride it, but I didn’t mind.
We headed over to the grocery store and I pulled out my list. I tried to keep to it. Sometimes I found exceptional deals on the items I like to stash in our room. I started down the aisle separating the items by what I would put in the kitchen and what I put in our room. Heidi would get suspicious if I didn’t put some things in the kitchen.
I wandered over to the reduced-price meat. They always had meat on a manager special. Most of the time the meat would go bad unless put in the freezer or cooked immediately. I didn’t mind. It meant I had more money to spend on other things.
I placed two packages of chicken breast, pork chops, beef tips, kielbasa, and ground turkey into our cart. That would last us a week. I tried to do our shopping weekly.
I told Ella which aisle we were headed to next and then I heard her quickly apologize. “I’m so sorry,” she said with embarrassment. She was pushing the cart, so I had a feeling she ran into someone.
“It’s okay, it was a mistake,” I heard a familiar deep voice say as I rounded the corner.
I winced when I realized it was Mr. Jace. I had seen enough of him lately. He was still dressed in his work clothes, and he had a basket in his hands.
He looked up at me as I skittered to a stop. He had a gentle smile on his face moments before, but now he had his normal inscrutable look in his eyes. “Good evening, Blake. This must be your sister.”
“Ella,” Ella chirped up happily. She wasn’t normally this outgoing, but I had a feeling she was harboring a little crush on him from the way she was looking at him.
“Well, it was nice to meet you, Ella. Are you helping your sister and mom shop?” he asked kindly.
I had a feeling he was just fishing, but I barely had a chance to warn Ella before she laughed incredulously. “Blake does all the shopping. Mom doesn’t like to.”
I was glad she was able to censor her answer, but I still wish she hadn’t said anything at all.
He gave me an assessing look, “What are you guys eating for dinner?”
Once again, Ella was quick to answer. “Blake promised to make me chicken with cheesy potatoes.”
“That sounds good,” he smiled kindly at her. “And here I was hoping to invite you to dinner.”
She looked up at me hopefully. “Blake took me to breakfast this morning. We never get to eat out twice in one day.”
“Well, if Blake is okay with it, we can go to dinner somewhere, your choice. I really don’t like eating by myself.” He was purposely avoiding my gaze.
Once again, I was fighting annoyance. How dare he use Ella against me? To her, the request was a simple one. She had no clue that his concern for a student had turned into downright meddlesomeness. I wish he would just stop caring.
“We aren’t dressed to go to dinner, and we have food that can go bad while we’re out eating,” I tried to shut him down.
I should have known he would have an answer readily available. “We can pick up some Chinese and go back to my place. Then I can run you two back home so you’re not hauling groceries across town on the bus.”
“I love Chinese!” Ella exclaimed. “Please Blake, please!”
“We need to get your homework done,” I tried to deter her.
“It’s done! So, we can go?” she asked excitedly.
“I guess so,” I muttered knowing I was outnumbered, and I didn’t have the heart to tell Ella no.
Chapter 4