Page 114 of Robbin’ the Rich

“Yeah, it really does.”

“Are you’re not going to do anything to get her back?”

I shrugged. “What can I do? She said it’s over. I have to respect that.”

“Do you want her back?”

“Of course! I would do anything to make it right.”

“Except do anything? No big grand gestures? Nothing?”

“I went to her the next day. I tried, but I’m not going against her wishes. I mean, maybe that would work on some people, but Robin doesn’t like to be pushed. That is one way to piss her off for good. All I can do is try and be a better man so that if she gives me another chance someday, I will be worthy of her.”

Jordan just looked at me for a minute before reaching across the table and giving my hand a squeeze. “Damn Micah, you really are one of the good ones.”

I shook my head. “I don’t feel like it right now.”

“No, trust me. You are. I totally get it. I hope she comes around.”

“Thanks man.”

That’s when Nate called from the other room. “Micah if you don’t come back the party is leaving you in the cave to fight off hundreds of orcs on your own.”

“Well, it looks like I gotta go,” I said, getting up to head back in.

I only paid about half attention for the rest of the game. I was too busy thinking about what we had talked about. My only shot at getting her back was becoming a man who deserved her. In some weird way, I did trust the universe to put us back in each other’s paths, and all I could do was be worthy by then.

“Dude. Roll your dice!”

“Sorry,” I said as I rolled my twenty-sided die.

It was time to do what I needed to do.

Later that week I went back over to the shelter. After I fixed their van and got them a new set of tires, I stopped over and fixed one of their dryers and helped install a new faucet to replace the leaky one. I was here tonight with a surprise.

I knocked on the door and Maggie answered.

“Micah, to what do we owe the surprise?”

“I thought you guys might need a little Christmas cheer,” I motioned back to my car that had a Christmas tree strapped down on top. “I can get this set up for you, and then maybe order a couple pizzas and you all can decorate it.”

“That sounds lovely,” she said with a warm smile. “Let me get some people to help you get it inside.”

I made my way outside and by the time I was untying the tree three people were headed out to help me. We got everything inside, and Ariel and another younger girl were moving some furniture clearing a space for it.

Next thing I knew I was playing Christmas music for them as they all decorated. Was this a substitute because I needed to make amends to Robin? Maybe. But it felt good to act. People at Lantern House all came here on a journey of their own. I didn’t need to know their story to know they were worthy of dignity and respect. This is what it looks like to start healing communities. It would take more than a Christmas tree and some pizza, but it was a start.

And after a rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer there was a knock at the door. I set my guitar beside me and got up to pay for the pizza. After a couple more songs I left with a full belly and a full heart. I even played some Christmas music on the way home instead of my bad day playlist. Things were slowly getting better.

I should have known that feeling was too good to last. When I pulled up there was someone sitting on my porch.

My brother.

I pulled into my driveway, slammed the car into gear, grabbed my guitar and made my way to the door. I was not ready for whatever this was.

He stood from the porch swing as I approached. His energy was off. He seemed jittery. He was probably using again, if he had ever even stopped.

“Micah, I need to talk to you.”