Three months earlier, she’d met Jake while volunteering at a community center.
Recognizing his surname, she’d asked about his father and finally found our family.
“But why pretend you’re romantically involved?” I demanded.
Linda looked ashamed.
“That was Jake’s idea. Agreeing to it was a terrible mistake.”
Just then, the front door opened.
Jake stood frozen when he saw us together.
“Mom, please let me explain.”
“I’m listening.”
He sat beside me, his eyes filling with tears.
After David’s death, I’d gradually withdrawn from the world.
I’d stopped visiting friends, abandoned my beloved choir, and refused to celebrate birthdays.
My life had become an endless routine of working, cooking, and sleeping.
Jake had watched me grow lonelier every year.
When he told Linda about my sadness, she offered to help.
Together, they’d arranged something extraordinary.
They were helping restore the old community music hall where David and I had first met.
