🤍 Jessica's POV 🤍
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I balance the strawberry shortcake carefully in my hands as I approach the house, inhaling the sweet scent of fresh strawberries and cream. It's deliciousness tickling me.
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I had gone all out to add extra baby strawberries on top.
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The place looks cozy, with freshly painted shutters and a small garden out front, still a little overgrown from months of vacancy. The moving truck from earlier is long gone, but a few unopened boxes sit on the porch, hinting at the chaos of settling in.
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Taking a steadying breath, I ring the bell.
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For a moment, there's nothing. Then, soft footsteps approach from the other side, and the door swings open to reveal a woman who looks to be in her... late fifties.
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She's petite, with silver-streaked brown hair pulled back into a neat bun, and warm brown eyes that immediately remind me of fresh-baked cookies and childhood bedtime stories.
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I have no idea why that popped into my head.
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Her expression is kind, though slightly wary, like she isn't used to unexpected visitors.
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"Oh" she says, blinking at me in surprise.
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I smile, lifting the cake slightly. "Hi! I'm Jessica. I live across the street. Wanted to come over and welcome you to the neighborhood."
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Her face brightens instantly, the hesitation melting away. "Oh, how lovely! That's so sweet of you."
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She glances down at the cake, then back up at me, her eyes twinkling. "And you brought dessert? Well, you might just be my favorite neighbor already."
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I laugh. "I figured moving is stressful, and nothing eases stress like sugar" I point to the bakery "I own the Bakery across"
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"Oh, The Lavender Loaf?"
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I smile wider "That's the one!"
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She chuckles, stepping aside. "Well, don't just stand there. Come in, come in, Please"
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I hesitate for half a second. I hadn't planned to stay, but she's already ushering me inside, so I follow.
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The house smells like fresh paint and wild jasmine, but there's also the faint scent of lavender and something warm, like cinnamon tea.
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Moving boxes are stacked neatly in the living room, some already half-unpacked. The furniture is classic and cozy—lots of warm-toned wood, floral cushions, and soft lighting.
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"Forgive the mess," she says, leading me toward the kitchen. "We're still settling in."
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"No worries. I know how hectic moving can be. I once moved apartments and didn't find my favorite mug for three months. Turns out it was in the freezer"
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She laughs, gestures for me to set the cake on the kitchen counter, then turns to face me, smiling warmly. "I'm Nora Wilson, by the way."
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"It's really nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilson."
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"Oh, please," she waves a hand dismissively. "Call me Nora. Mrs. Wilson makes me feel ancient."
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I grin. "There's nothing ancient-looking about you, ma'am. You could easily pass for a twenty year old beauty queen, but alright, Nora, if you say so."
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Mrs Wilson blushes "You are such a flatterer"
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She pulls out a chair at the small dining table. "Sit, sit. Let me get us some tea."
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"Oh, you don't have to—"
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"Nonsense." She's already moving toward the stove. "You brought me cake. The least I can do is make tea so we can enjoy it with the cake"
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I give in, settling into the chair as she moves around the empty kitchen.
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"So," she says as she places two cups of steaming tea in front of us. "Tell me about yourself, Jessica. Do you live with your family?"
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I wrap my hands around the warm mug, the heat seeping into my palms. "Not really. It's just me, my brother, Ken and best friend, Rachel" I explain with a smile "We share the apartment across the street, right above the bakery. We lost our parents when we were little, so grandma practically raised us"
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Nora's expression softens, and she places a comforting hand on my shoulder softly "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
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I shrug, offering a small smile. "It was tough, but we had grandma, and she's amazing"
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Nora nods, sipping her tea. "Grandmothers are special like that."
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"What about you?" I ask. "Is it just you?"
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She nods, her smile turning a little wistful. "Yes, my husband, Jacob, and I just moved here for a fresh start. He had a terrible accident a few years ago, and—well, he's in a wheelchair now. It's been... an adjustment."
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I soften. "I'm really sorry. That must have been hard."
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"Oh, you have no idea" She exhales, but there's no bitterness in her tone—just sheer strength, and continues. "But we manage. He's the strongest man I know, and as long as we have each other, I know we'll be okay."
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I take a sip of tea, feeling saddened by her story. "Do you have kids?"
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Her face lights up. "Oh, yes. Six crazy boys."
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My eyes widen. "Six? And they're crazy on top?"
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She covers her mouth, laughing "Yes, darling"
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"Damn. How do you manage to still look this good and sane? I would've been in a mental asylum by now"
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She chuckles. "All I can say is it gets better with time. But It was a very loud and chaotic house for a very long time. But they're all grown now. In college, scattered across the country. It's just Jacob and me these days."
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I can tell she misses them. Greatly.
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"Permit me to ask this" I say, leaning in slightly. "Were you guys trying for a girl or something?"
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She looks at me with a knowing smirk "You pick up on things. Yes we were. But after my last boy, I just gave up and embraced being a proud boy mum"
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We talk for a while, conversation flowing so easily it surprised me. We touch on everything—our families, the state of the country, even little things like favorite books and movies. It's strange how comfortable being around her feels, like I've known her for longer than just an hour.
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Oh shoot. The fucking ripper.
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After a moment of hesitation, I clear my throat. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."
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Her brows knit together. "Oh?"
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I lean in slightly. "It's about the man you hired. A repair guy I think, for your windows. Did you?"
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Her expression shifts, "Um, yeah. We got someone to work on the windows today. What about him?"
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I sigh. "I hope I'm not too late. I kinda overheard him on the phone earlier. He was speaking in Bulgarian, so I guess he didn't think anyone around would understand. But I did."
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She leans forward, looking concerned. "What did he say?"
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I hesitate for a second before finally spilling "He was talking about overcharging you by an extra five grand. Just because he thought you looked like you could afford it."
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Her lips part slightly in shock. "What?"
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I nod grimly. "Yeah. I figured you should know before you sign anything"
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She stares at me for a long moment, then lets out a slow breath. "Jessica, I don't even know what to say. That is... disgusting. Thank you so much for telling me."
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"Of course. I'd hate to see you get taken advantage of."
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She shakes her head. "Some people have no shame. I'll definitely be canceling with him."
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I nod, relieved.
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Then, she suddenly brightens. "You know what? You have to come over for dinner this weekend."
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I blink. "Oh, no, really, you don't have to—"
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"I insist, Jessica" She folds her arms, giving me a look that grandma always gave me whenever I was about to argue with her "I love spending time with you. You remind me of the daughter I never had."
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Something warm stirs in my chest at that.
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"But—"
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"No buts," she says firmly. "Any weekend. Dinner. My house, as long as you have the time. And bring your brother and friend"
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I laugh, shaking my head. "You're too kind, and very persuasive"
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She grins. "That's why I win."
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I sigh, knowing I've lost. "Alright, alright. I'll come."
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She claps her hands together. "Good. Now, let's have some more of that cake. It's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted!"
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And just like that, I realize moving to this neighborhood might have been one of the best things to ever happen to me.
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