Date Published: 03-29-2021
Solomon
The man of the house since my father’s death at sixteen, I knew I’d be the guardian for my sister, Susan, who has Down syndrome. However, I didn’t realize I’d become her guardian while dealing with my mother’s mini-strokes, rehabilitation, and selling the family home. I’m drowning in paperwork and emotions as I try to get Susan adjusted. A new care plan and a specialized school act as light at the end of the tunnel. I never expected to find her new best friend at the school was my old high school crush.
Ezra
I always regretted keeping my feelings for Solomon to myself. When we became the victims of losing touch in college, I added it to my list of regrets. Now he’s back as the guardian of a student, and the years have been exceedingly kind. My habit of following rules is suddenly out the window. Risking the reputation I’ve worked so hard to gain isn’t on my to-do list.
Can we manage a relationship without it becoming a conflict of
interest?
Excerpt
Ezra
Expanding Hope is the dream I’ve shed blood, sweat,
tears, and dollar bills for. What started as the lofty imagining of a girl who
watched her baby brother struggle in a world that didn’t understand him or
respect him for all he could do, has come to fruition. We’d gone from a small,
rented space to this beautiful building. Seeing so many handi-capable people
grow to their full potential and live their best lives has made all my
sacrifices worthwhile. Having my brother, Miles, teach one of the courses is a significant
bonus. Who better to help them learn how to acclimate to living independently
than one of their own?
The importance of representation shouldn’t be
overlooked. There are plenty of ways to insinuate without ever opening your
mouth. I pause outside of my brother’s classroom and listen to him going over
the steps for purchasing groceries. My parents had a can-do attitude. We
focused on all the things he was able to do and building up the skills that
would give him as much independence as he could handle. It was a radical way of
thinking back then. Life expectancy for children with DS used to be thirty
years. That’s changed rapidly, along with their understanding of people who
have the extra chromosome.
I admired my Mom and Dad for sticking to their guns
and ignoring the drivel the doctors had told them when Miles was born. It always
helped me forge my own path in life. Because there are plenty of people who’ll
let you know what you can and can’t do. Moving away from the room, I proceed
down the hallway into the main area where people socialize. Today is Invite a
Friend Day. As the owner, I’m not as hands-on as I’d like to be. It takes a lot
of money to keep our building running, which means grants, writing, and
presentation to more prominent companies looking to do community service and
work to make them look good.
I learned a long time ago to ignore the reasons why
people do things and focus on the rewards. It’s the only way to keep my soul
intact when I do proposals.
“Ezra.”
I turn to focus on one of our newest students. Susie
came to us a month prior. Her lack of socialization broke my heart. She’s made
friends and learned at an exponential rate. I call her my sponge.
“Hey, Susie.” I open my arms for a hug.
“I brought my brother! I wanted him to meet you.”
“I can’t wait to meet him.” I glance up, and my heart
skips a beat at the face that greets me. It’s been over twenty years, but I’ll
never forget those eyes or that expressive face. Soulful, deep-set, navy-blue
eyes are set in a square face with a broad forehead and adorably over-sized
ears. Ashland, Ohio is a decently sized city, but the village of Loudonville,
where I grew up, is far smaller.
“Solomon?” I whisper, shocked. The odds of us coming
back together now in Ashland are mind-boggling.
“Ezra?” His dark blue eyes widen. “When my sister said
that was her best friend’s name, I didn’t even consider it might be you.”
I grin. “This Susie is your sister?”
We met in high school at a support group for siblings
of children with Down syndrome. It was a unique and, at times, challenging
position to be in. Having a sibling who required extra help often put us more
capable children on the back burner. We were expected to take on more
responsibility and grow up faster. Knowing I had a person I went to school with
who I could talk to had been a lifeline when I felt ignored and alone. I owe my
school counselor for seeing what was happening and being proactive. We’d been
like peanut butter and jelly from that first meeting. I’d harbored a massive
crush on him, but I hadn’t dared risk losing my anchor over the feelings.
“Yes. That’s my Susie.” He opens his arms, and I go to
them like a bird focused on a homing beacon. The earthy scents with hints of
pine are familiar and welcoming. Tightening his grip, he makes my heart race.
Forty looks damn good on him. “How’s Miles?”
I peer up from the circle of his muscular arms.
“Great. He teaches a class here.”
“That’s fantastic, Ez.”
“Seems only right, considering he was the inspiration
and seed planted that grew into Expanding Hope.”
“I’m not surprised that you’ve created such an
inclusive and warm space. You were always full of idealism and determination. I
knew you’d change the world somehow.”
“Sol! That’s my
best friend.” Susie’s cry is a bucket of ice water.
Clearing my throat, I step away from the hold that
stopped being a hug sixty seconds ago.
“I’m sorry. I know Ez from high school.”
Susie’s eyes round. “You do?”
“Yes. We were great friends.” I grab Susie’s hand. “He
talked about you a lot.”
Susie giggles. “He did?”
“Oh yeah. I heard all about his awesome little
sister.”
She smiles.
“Is it okay if we share Ezra? She’s pretty cool, you
know?” Sol bends down to put himself on her eye level, and my heart melts a
little.
“I think we can.”
“Thank you.” Sol kisses Susie’s cheek and winks at me.
“I’m so happy to see my friend again.”
His words make my stomach flip. I’m happy to see my
old friend, too. I lick my suddenly dry lips and try not to stare at his
fit frame. Sol has bulked out in the best way possible. The meat on his bones
has me ready to explore him like a tree. I’m not tiny at five-foot-eleven, so
he’s got to be pushing six-foot-four. My lack of professional thinking should
be appalling, but damn, the man is a thirst trap.
I focus on
Susie. “Do you want to show your brother what you’ve learned about the store?”
Susie beams. “I do.” She grabs Sol’s hand and pulls
him toward the area we have set up to resemble a store.
“I’ll be the cashier today.”
I grab an apron off the hook on the wall and move
behind the cash register filled with realistic paper money and coins. A lot of
our students enjoy routines and familiar activities. Taking the scariness out
of everyday interactions gives them confidence.
“Good afternoon,” I fall into my role as Susie comes
up with a basket full of groceries. Each item is clearly marked with prices. I
ring them up, scanning them to add authenticity. I can see the awe in Sol’s
face. He had no idea she was ready for this step. I’ve watched her development
and come up with a few thoughts on her past caregiver. Her mother was from the
school of ‘she can’t do that, and I need to protect her’. She’s blossoming now
with her brother at the helm and a progressive care action plan. We work
closely with doctors and psychologists to make sure we’re challenging our
students without pushing them to do things they aren’t ready for yet.
After bagging her items, I take her money and give her
the proper change. “Have a nice day,” I say with a smile.
“You too.” She steps away, and I clap.
“That was amazing, Suz! When did you learn to do
that?” Sol asks.
“We’ve been working on it,” Susie tells him excitedly.
Sol looks at me and shakes his head. “Wow.”
“Susie did all the hard work. We just gave her a
little guidance.”
A bell chimes, and the doors open as classes shift.
Miles steps out and waves at Susie.
“Can I go talk to Miles?” she asks.
Sol shrugs. “I don’t see why not.”
“I can update your brother on how awesome you’ve been
doing.”
“Thanks, Ezra.” She all but skips off, and I smile.
Her connection with my brother was almost instantaneous. They’re nearly
inseparable when he’s not teaching.
I turn to face Sol. “I actually wanted to talk to you
alone.”
Sol tenses. “Is something wrong?”
I reach out and grab his forearm, and his muscle
flexes. I swallow back a moan.
“Not at all. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Susie
is doing so well with her classes. I want to offer you a spot in a new program
we are getting ready to launch. We’ll step outside of the classroom and help
them further develop their social skills with people they don’t know.”
“I’m not sure if she’s ready for that.”
“I know this is a lot. You’re both in a transitional
stage, but I truly believe she’s ready and eager to do more for herself. I
think fostering that emotion will serve her well in the future.”
“I don’t know.” He frowns.
“You’re welcome to join us for our first trip to see
it firsthand.”
He looks over to where Susie and Miles are talking
animatedly. Hands are waving, and voices are raised. Their joy is almost
tangible.
“When she first moved into the house with me, she fell
into a deep depression. You guys have helped me pull her out of that funk. I
don’t want to stand in the way of more breakthroughs for her.”
“We’ll take good care of her, Sol. I know how hard it
is to let them go.” I grab his large hand.
He curls his fingers around mine. “I know.”
I hear Whoopie Goldberg’s character from Ghost whisper in my brain, You’re in
danger, girl.
About the Author
You can interact with Shyla Colt online via her website
Contact Links
Twitter: @shylacolt
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Giveaway
Love the blurb. The story sounds good. I like that the sister has Down Syndrome. Thanks for the chance.
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