Page 25 of Her Hidden Smile

“I’m pretty sure he likes chocolate chip,” I lied.

“He likes snickerdoodles.” She didn’t even blink.

“How can I eat these without milk?”

“Go to the store.”

“But they’re warm from the oven. The best time to eat them is now. I need milk now.”

I saw her eyes begin to sparkle.

“Knock on my neighbor’s door.”

“I bet she’s not as pretty as you.”

“Kevin’s handsome, he’ll like you.”

I lost it.

I started laughing.

She didn’t.

Dammit.

But her eyes were dancing.

“I came bearing gifts,” I coaxed.

“I remember reading something about how I should beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

I laughed again.

I pulled the backpack off my shoulder and pulled out the box wrapped in shiny blue paper. “I think this is too small to be hiding an army inside.”

“Hmmmm.”

“We could trade.” She lifted up the containers. “Then you could leave.”

“I drove all the way to Knoxville for this. I made sure to get your favorites. Are you really going to send me away?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened her eyes.

And the door.

“Fine, come in. I’ll pour you some milk. But if I find one nut in this box of candy, I’m throwing you out.”

I like her like this.

I like her a lot.

How many people really got to meet the real Millie?

As I followed her to the dining room table, I inhaled the powerful scent of peach blossoms and relaxed. Grandma Maureen always liked cherry and apple blossoms. Jase, Malik, Bruno, and I would go around the neighborhood at night and sneak into some of the neighbor’s yards and cut small branches of the flowers and put them on Grandma’s doorstep. If we’d give them to her in person, she’d give us hell and make us go apologize and take back the flowers. This way she would keep the flowers.

I was careful to keep my distance. I knew better than to crowd her. So, when she went into the kitchen, I propped my elbows on the island that separated the kitchen from the rest of the space.

“Take a seat.” She waved her arm. “I’ll get you a plate for your cookies.”