Miles’s eyebrows raised as he looked at the house in a whole different light. It definitely had Letty’s style infused in the design, from the soft shade of blue that the house had been painted to the sweet rose garden that was cultivated in the front yard. Letty had made herself a beautiful home.
“That’s impressive, Letty…” Miles said as his voice trailed off. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of the house. He was really proud of what Letty had done with herself.
Letty shrugged. “Not really. The house was a real fixer-upper. Old HUD house, so we put a lot of work into it. My parents put down half the money, and I got a mortgage for the rest.”
Miles nodded, appearing to approve. “I’m proud of you, Letty.”
“Huh?” Letty whipped around with a stunned look upon her face. Miles smiled back in return.
“I’m proud of you. You made something of your life.”
Letty gave Miles an appreciative smile as she ran her finger along Miles’s jawline. In that moment, she appeared to be making an important decision.
“You’ll stay here. I don’t want you at the compound,” Letty said in a stern voice.
“Uh,” Miles stammered.
“Don’t argue me over this point. This is your home. This is where you’re safe. Just like we planned,” Letty insisted.
Without another word, Letty entered her key in the lock and swung the front door of her house open.
“Nicole!” Letty yelled loudly as she approached an oak staircase that led to a second-floor landing.
No one responded. Letty dropped her keys into a bowl on the glass coffee table that sat in the middle of her parlor and proceeded to look around for Nicole. Quietly, Miles walked over the threshold, lowering his head to get through the doorway. It wasn’t the fanciest of houses. Letty didn’t have the best of everything. But what she did have was a welcoming home. It was warm and comfortable. There was no threat from a rabid relative. There was no pretense or fa?ade. Miles was amazed at the warmth that exuded from within the four walls of 217 Evergreen Terrace.
“Nicole!” Letty yelled again up the stairs.
“Who is Nicole?” Miles asked as he stepped into the parlor.
Letty appeared to be paying Miles no mind though. Sweeping through the parlor, Letty’s heels clicked against the hardwood floor as she made a beeline to the mahogany staircase. Racing up the stairs, Letty left Miles alone with his thoughts as her voice trailed off down the upstairs hallway. Miles peered around the parlor, his eyes falling against the sea foam walls. Family photos lined the walls. Eyeing each one, Miles smiled. Letty had done as he wanted her to. She led a full and happy life. Miles broke his gaze from a photograph of Letty lounging on the beach in Sea Isle City when he heard the sound of approaching voices.
Letty descended the stairs one by one with another woman in tow. Miles presumed she must be Nicole. She was a wild child, no more than seventeen years of age, with spiky purple hair, ripped denim jeans and a black t-shirt that read Rebel Punk. She and Letty gabbed incessantly as they walked down the staircase. Miles walked to the center of the room, unsure of what to do with himself. Though he was in prison for half of his life, Miles had some manners. He held on tightly to the lessons his mother taught him. He didn’t want to seem rude to Letty. This was her house, after all.
“Okay, Nicole. Thanks again!” Letty called out the front door. She then closed it with a gentle click.
As Letty turned back into the room, it was her turn to render Miles speechless. Miles’s mouth gaped open as he watched Letty come forward. A small boy, no older than two years of age by Miles’s calculation, clutched onto Letty’s arm as he peered out at Miles. With soft brown eyes and caramel skin, the child looked a lot like Letty. His nearly black hair swept gently across his forehead. The child released a hand from around Letty’s neck, stretching it out towards Miles. Miles’s breath hitched as he compared Letty’s face with the child’s own. Their eyes were identical and when he smiled he had the same deep dimple that Miles always adored on Letty. Letty watched Miles’s face carefully, scrutinizing his eyes for any sign of fear. Letty was surprised to see that there was none present. Instead, a look of amazement shone out from his eyes. Miles wasn’t frightened by the prospect of a child—he just seemed surprised by this sudden turn of events. Staring down at the gold bracelet around the child’s wrist, Miles smiled at the letter G. The wind rushed from Miles’s throat as reality set in.
“You’re a mother…” Miles said in a soft voice. There was no judgment present in his tone, nor was there any sign of disappointment. Miles sounded happy for Letty.
“I am,” Letty replied, her uncertainly revealed in her voice. “This is G,” Letty said as she brought her son closer to Miles. The child reached out his right arm to Miles. A faint smile crossed Miles’s face as G wrapped his tiny fingers around Miles’s rough hand. The child squeezed tightly. Miles was amazed at the small child’s strength.
“He’s strong! What does G stand for?” Miles asked as he took G from Letty’s arms.