Ean’s brows rose in surprise. “No, ma’am. I didn’t know that.”
Ms. Helen nodded for emphasis. “Yes, indeed. That was Doreen’s idea, although Mayor Ramona McCloud takes the credit.”
Ramona was mayor. His former high-school girlfriend had e-mailed him after she’d been elected three years ago. What had made her become political?
“It doesn’t surprise me that my mother recommended the town council add lamps to the path. She’s been active in supporting improvements for Trinity Falls all my life.”
“Longer than that.” Ms. Helen nodded again. “You know she’s jogging now.”
Another bit of news he hadn’t been aware of. “No, ma’am, she hasn’t mentioned that.”
“She started jogging with Megan McCloud when your father got ill. Said exercise helped clear her mind. I’d sit with your father in the mornings, until after your mother came home and cleaned herself up.”
Ean felt sick. He should have been the one watching over his father, waiting until his mother returned from her run. “Thank you for helping my parents.”
“I was happy to do it.” Ms. Helen waved a thin, wrinkled hand dismissively. She glanced out the window toward his house again. “Young man, it’s good that you’re home. Trinity Falls needs the shake-up.”
“I’m not here to shake things up.”
Ms. Helen clucked her tongue. “That doesn’t matter. It’ll happen, anyway. Some people are shuffling around here like they’re afraid to make a move. But you’re not afraid, and you know how to make things happen, just like on the football field. People used to call you ‘Fearless Fever.’ I’m looking forward to the fireworks.”
“There won’t be any fireworks, ma’am. I’m not here to change anything.”
“Then why did you come home, Ean Fever?”
Ean crossed his arms. His stomach was still queasy over the fact he’d been hundreds of miles away when his parents had needed him. “I came home to take care of my mother.”
Ms. Helen’s expression softened. “You’re a good son, Ean. And I’m sure your mother appreciates the sentiment.”
“Thank you, Ms. Helen.”
She continued as though Ean hadn’t spoken. “But Doreen Fever is one woman who doesn’t need anyone to take care of her.”
Ean smiled as he waited for Ms. Helen to stop laughing over her own words. ?
??I want to be here if she needs me.”
“Trinity Falls hasn’t changed much since you’ve been gone, a couple of new shops, a new restaurant, streetlamps in the park. But people change. That’s a good thing. People shouldn’t stay the same. It means they’re not learning. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She gestured toward him with her fragile hands. “Like you. When you were younger, it was always, ‘Hi, Ms. Helen. Bye, Ms. Helen.’ You were always on the go. And I’d call after you, ‘Don’t spend all your time on the field. Hit those books.’”
Ms. Helen’s gaze returned to the window. Why did she keep looking at his home?
“I remember.”
“But now that you’re older, you know you need to slow down. That’s why you’re here, standing in my foyer, taking time to talk with me.”
Ean was irritated with his teenage self. He’d been too wrapped up in what he wanted to spend a few minutes with a charming and interesting old lady. “You’re right, Ms. Helen. And spending time with you is definitely a change for the better.”
“Save those fancy words for your lady friends.” Ms. Helen’s thin cheeks blushed.
“You’re breaking my heart, Ms. Helen.” Ean handed her his empty glass before opening her front door. “I’d better get cleaned up. Enjoy your day.”
“You do the same.” Her gaze drifted toward her window and his home again.
Ean paused on the porch to shove his feet back into his running shoes. He crossed the street and navigated the curving walkway that led to his mother’s front door. After unpinning his key from his running jersey, Ean pushed it into the door’s lock. He swung the front door wide, then froze in the threshold. Shock rattled him at the sight of his mother standing in the center of the living room, wrapped in a stranger’s arms.