An Unexpected Ally
Chapter 17 - An Unexpected Ally
Theo Grant stopped by the community building to photograph the restoration team inspecting the site. Emily was reviewing material samples with an engineer when he arrived.
“Careful on that step,” he told her automatically.
She raised an eyebrow. “I'm allowed to walk, Theo.”
He reddened. “I meant the tile is loose.”
She examined it. “Fair point. That's going on the repair list.”
I watched them laughing over the blueprints and realized my sister had gained more than a witness. She'd gained a friend who treated her as an ambitious, capable person rather than a fragile girl from a scandal.
Over the following months, Theo volunteered to document the restoration process. He photographed workers salvaging original woodwork, local volunteers cleaning the courtyard, and children painting temporary panels for the boarded windows.
He and Emily began meeting for coffee after site visits. She told me they were only friends. I believed her because there was no reason not to.
One Saturday, I found a photo she'd taped inside her sketchbook. It showed her standing in the center of the empty classroom, sunlight on her face, holding a rolled drawing.
On the back, Theo had written, “Here's the architect who saw a future where everyone else saw an old wall.”
Emily noticed me reading it and blushed.
“Nice photograph,” I said.
“Don't start.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“You're thinking loudly.”
We laughed. Then I asked whether she was happy.
May you like
She thought for a moment. “I'm getting there.”
It was the best answer I could have hoped for.
