Chapter 11

“Alicia, this is the new neighbor that I was telling you about,” Betty said.

“Hello.” Alicia eyed Wylie with a trace of distaste, although she obviously was doing her best to hide it from her mother. “You’re Mr. Lewis’s grandson, from what Mom said.”

“I am.” He chuckled. “I have the feeling that’s going to be my title for a long time to come.”

“Probably.” She finally smiled. “The same way I’ll always be ‘Betty and Jake’s daughter’ to a lot of the old-timers around here, as if I didn’t have a name of my own.”

“Alicia, it’s not that bad,” Jake protested.

“Yes it is,” she replied tartly. “Ever since I returned from college that’s how they tag me. Like I’m a newcomer since I was gone for four years.” Returning her attention to Wylie, she said, “You’ll get used to it.”

“I suppose I will. What did you major in?”

“Physical education. I’m the girls’ gym teacher and sports coach at the middle school.”

“Oh? I thought, from what your mother said…” Wylie frowned.