Learning

  “I know.” He nodded toward the piano. “Listen to you, man, … you sound amazing. You going out for American Idol this year, or what?”

  Connor laughed. “Actually … yeah. This summer.”

  “No way!” Cody gave Connor an enthusiastic pat on his shoulder. “That’s awesome, bro, … you’ll blow ‘em away.”

  Jenny watched from a few feet away. She loved this, how with Cody it felt like no time had passed. This was their reward for opening their home and hearts to Cody in the first place. He would always be a part of them — regardless of time passed.

  “You gotta keep me posted.” Cody shook his head, his grin reaching easily to his eyes. “You’ll knock it out of the park. Seriously … you sing like that and we’ll be watching you on TV.”

  They were halfway down the hall, Jenny tailing the guys and headed toward the kitchen when Ricky spotted Cody. “What?” He shouted the word and jumped up. Ricky seemed to grow taller every day, and now he lumbered up to them, all big feet and long legs. “I can’t believe you’re here!” He threw himself in Cody’s arms and the two hugged and slapped each other’s backs.

  “What happened to you? You’re huge!” Cody stood back and studied Ricky. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of passing me up.”

  “He’s six-foot-two.” Connor laughed. “Crazy for a thirteen-year-old.”

  “Yeah,” Ricky laughed, his expression proud of the fact. “You still have me beat by an inch, but not for long.”

  Cody raised his brow. “Not if you’re this tall at thirteen.”

  “Come on … Shawn and Justin are playing football out back.” Ricky ran ahead. “Wait till I tell them!”

  Cody grinned at Jenny and Connor. “I guess I’m playing football.”

  “Me too.” Connor ran for the stairs. “I’ll change and be right down.”

  “Like old times.” Jenny hoped he could see in her smile how glad she was that he’d come. “It’s good to have you home, Cody.”

  “Thanks.” He started toward the back door. “It’s good to be here.” With a quick step he jogged off to the backyard.

  Jenny watched him go. Ricky gathered Justin, Shawn, and BJ, and like he’d never left, Cody organized them and threw the first pass to Ricky.

  “And,” Ricky shouted, “he catches it for a first down!”

  The other guys clapped, and Shawn began to run, his hand outstretched. “Hit me up, Ricky, … right here!”

  Connor came running down the stairs dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and flew out the back door to join the others. Jenny couldn’t pull herself away. The scene was like being back in the past, as if she’d taken a ride in Devin Blake’s time machine — the one Ashley had told her about — to one of the happiest moments of her life: when Cody lived with them and growing up seemed like a lifetime away for all her boys. So much had changed, and now Connor was ready to take on his senior year, ready to head into the world and pursue his dreams. And the other boys were only getting taller and older, closer to the front door and the plans God had for them.

  But for now, the boys out back reminded her of God’s goodness, His ability to give her gifts like this when she least expected them. There w