I stare at him, taken aback by his candid response and myverypotent reaction to it.“I—then why are you helping me?”
Garrison cocks his head to the side.“I thought we covered this earlier?With your own words, might I add.”
“I just… You don’t even know me.Not really.And this is a whole lot more than some frozen food.”
“So, not really knowing someone should keep us from helping?”He crosses his arms.“Do you know the parable of the Good Samaritan?”When I continue staring back at him while I try to recall the story, Garrison continues.“A man traveling to Jericho was attacked by robbers.They stole his clothes and beat him.By the time they were done with him, he was half dead.A priest and a Levite both traveled down that road, and even though they saw him, they left him there to die.But when a Samaritan happened upon him, he took pity on the injured man and bandaged his wounds.He then took the man from where he was on the side of the road to an inn to take care of him.When it was time for him to leave, he paid the innkeeper out of his own pocket and promised to return and reimburse him for any additional expenses as the innkeeper cared for the injured man.”
“I’m hardly a beaten man on the side of the road,” I reply, though it’s not entirely far from the truth, when you take into consideration what’s happened to me in my past.
Garrison leans in, close enough I can make out flecks of copper in his dark eyes.“God calls on us to love our neighbors.To care for others.I’m helping you because it’s the right thing to do.And because the thought of anything happening to you or Thomas is unthinkable.”
Tears threaten, stinging the corners of my eyes.It’s been years since I’ve had anyone to look out for me.Since I let anyone close enough to do just that.Truth be told, if Thomas weren’t so happy in this town, I likely would have already left this place behind me.
But for the first time, I want to stay.
I want to fight for my place here.
And I’d be a liar if I didn’t at least admit to myself that part of the reason has to do with the man standing in front of me.
Garrison clears his throat and steps back, then offers me his hand.“So what do you say, Katelyn Ellis?Want to be my friend?No strings attached?No romantic relationship on the horizon?”
I study his large hand, knowing that I would love to be so much more than that.But with secrets like mine, it’s just not possible.So I take his hand, letting the large, calloused palm envelop mine.“Friends.”
Garrison beams.“Then this friend is going to go get started boarding up your windows.If you have time, you should come get some of your belongings and bring them over here so you have them.”