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Maybe Wednesday after school? About four-thirty?”
    “I’m sure that’d be just fine. By the way, how’d he look to you?” I told James his friend looked good. Liar, liar, pants on fire.
    “Good to hear. I know he says he’s doin’ alright, but it’s not the same as seein’ it myself.”
    “Totally understand. I guess I could call you when I get done Wednesday if you want.”
    “That’d be great, if you don’t mind it too much. By the by, if you want to, Ken loves peanut butter cups. It would probably make him happy to get some. Marines never stop being Marines, you know. He may be a little gruff, but he’s a good man.”
    Whatever. It must be nice to have a built-in excuse for being an asshole. But if it meant he might actually smile, I guess I was willing to give it a try.
    “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “Guess that’s that then. Thank you, Persephone. This is a wonderful thing you’re doin’.”
    Wednesday I made time to stop by a gas station and pick up several packs of peanut butter cups and a huge Diet Coke. Maggie called while I was paying, but I didn’t answer. If it was really important she would text.
    Ken opened the door after the second knock.
    “So you decided to come back?” It was hard to tell if he was pissed or pleased.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Come in then. No point in standing in the doorway staring at each other.” I stepped around him as he pulled the door shut. “Do you want something to drink? I have water and unsweet tea. Don’t understand the sweet stuff. James always tries to tell me it’s the only way to drink it. Southerns.” He snorted. “Tastes like liquid sugar if you ask me. Makes my teeth hurt.” It was damn near an oratory compared to how much he had spoken the first time.
    “No thanks. I brought something to drink. And, um, I brought you these.” I held out the paper bag full of candy. “James said you like them.”
    “Is that so?” He peered into the bag, and I thought I saw the corners of his mouth twitch. Was that his version of a smile? If so, it needed work.
    “Alright then. You go on in. I’m going to get a glass of water.” Um, a thank you would be nice. Oh well. It wasn’t like I expected much more from anyone else in my life.
    “Yes, sir.” And I was definitely using that word way too much, but I couldn’t help it. The man didn’t only command respect—he reached out and snatched it from you.
    The living room hadn’t changed in the past few days, except there was now a small pillow on the seat of the rocking chair. Wow, was he actually trying to make me more comfortable?
    “You going to sit down?” Ken was at my shoulder, with his glass of water. He startled me so badly, I almost knocked it out of his hand and onto the floor.
    “Oh shit! Sorry! I mean, yes, sir.” Good Lord, could I be any more of a dork? And did I really cuss in front of him? So much for the sweet little high school girl sacrificing her time to read to an old man.
    He didn’t say anything, but nodded towards the empty chair. Great, I’d offended him. It was pretty obvious he wasn’t some crazy serial killer. He wasn’t going to do me the favor of ending my life, but it wasn’t exactly horrible going over there.
    Three pages into reading, I heard the rustle of the paper bag and cellophane wrapper of the peanut butter cups. I glanced up in time to see him pop one whole into his mouth. The weird little twitch of his lips happened again. Two almost-smiles in one day. How special.
    It took about an hour and an entire Big Gulp for Ken to drift off. His breathing slowed and settled into a deep rhythm—my signal to stop for the day. The blanket was in the same place as before, so I covered him up and tiptoed to the front door. On the entryway table was an envelope with my name scrawled across it. Inside were two crisp ten dollar bills.
    I told James I didn’t need to be paid. Had he not told Ken? Did Ken not listen? It didn’t matter. Twenty dollars was a