As told by Jenn, a 64 year old Irish/American widow, 5 foot 7, 135 lb, brunette:
I guess they knew I was a soft touch. Whenever they had candy to sell for church, or cookies for Girl Scouts, the Ryan family knew I was good for a few boxes, tickets or candy bars.
So, when young George showed up at the front door in his Little League baseball uniform, I knew it was time to grab my check book.
There he stood as I opened the door. "Hi, Mrs. Haley, can I interest you in some raffle tickets? We're trying to fix up the field after that storm."
It had blown so heavily, that the backstop was ruined. It needed replacement. "Sure, George! You look so handsome in your clean uniform!" He blushed like I knew he would.
Standing back, I noticed a young man, smiling, listening. "Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there!"
George said, "Oh, Mrs. H, this is my Uncle Bobby. He's living with us now." Bobby smiled and extended his hand. He was Kate's younger brother. I had forgotten she mentioned he was staying with them for a while.
I shook his hand. "Hello, Bob, welcome to the neighborhood."
His grip was firm, and enthusiastic. "Thank you, Ma'am. Nice place you got."
"Oh, thanks. Please, come in out of the heat. Let me get my checkbook."
They followed me in, an I could hear George saying, "She's the best, Unc! She always has lemonade and stuff." I couldn't let Georgie be wrong, so I grabbed the pitcher and glasses and brought them back with me.
I wrote the check as George filled my name in on the stubs. Bobby sipped, and smiled, and I thought how much he looks like Kate. Only definitely masculine. He was over six feet, reedy, with a shock of red hair, green eyes bright, and a broad smile. He looked like a tourist ad for Ireland. I judged his age at 30. Quite handsome! If I were thirty years younger, I'd jump his bones!
Two weeks went by. I would see them occasionally on the street, once at the grocery, Bobby acting as George's security guard. They were always so happy to see me, and Bobby's smile would set my heart fluttering!
Then one Sunday, there was a knock on the door. I looked out, and there was Bobby, but no sign of Georgie. "Oh, Hi, Bobby, where's George?"
"Hi, Mrs H, the family was going to see my mom, and they were running late because of the party last night. I promised George I'd bring this over to you. He said you had to have it today, so you know everything's on the up-and-up." He handed me an envelope. "You won third prize at the raffle! A hundred dollars! To George, it's like a million, so he wanted you to have it right away."
I took the envelope and stared at it. "Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners, please, come in, I have fresh lemonade."
"I don't want to be a bother..."
I grabbed his arm. "No bother at all! It's nice to have company."
In the living room, I served lemonade with cookies and sat across from him. Since I had gone to church, I still had my floral sundress, cinched at the waist, with a lace neckline that may be too young for my age, but I enjoy the old men still looking. I sat across from him, and felt strangely tingly, as if he was looking at me.
"So, you didn't visit your Mom?"
"No, I'm the Black Sheep. Too much hurt still there for her, and I don't plan on adding to it, so I keep my distance. And it gives me the afternoon by myself. Not that I don't love Georgie to death, but I'm too old to be hanging with 11 year olds!"
"Yes, I imagine it could get... tiring. Anyway, in all the years I've bought tickets and raffles in the neighborhood, I never won before. Never even thought of it!"
He smiled. "Your luck is changing."
"That would be a welcome event! Not that I'm complaining, it just gets old doing the same things each day. We used to travel a lot, before he got sick. Now, it's just different."
"Well, now with all your wealth, you can do whatever!"
"Yes," I smiled. "Unfortunately, $100 will barely by a decent meal for two! What I'd like is for you to give this back to George. It's his, if he mows my lawn once, okay?"
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely, and knowing George, he'll probably give it to the team for the repairs."
Bobby nodded. "He probably will. Okay then. Kate and everybody said you were the nicest person in the neighborhood, and I believe they are right! Thank you, Mrs. H."
"If I'm to call you Bobby, then I demand you call me Jenn, or Jennie."
"Another deal! And, tell you what, I will do Georgie's mowing for you, I can use the exercise and I'm falling in love with these cookies. Okay?"
"You mean now?"