Industry (Part 1) - Completed

PJ had tried to keep his parents from interrogating Isabella over dinner, but without the foresight to warn them beforehand, there was only so much he could do in the moment.

So, he listened as Isabella wove together a version of her life, a mix of truth and fiction. At least, he knew some of it was fiction.

“My parents died in a car crash,” she said evenly, cutting her chicken into neat pieces. “Alice and I live with my uncle for now, but I have legal guardianship of her. We’re planning to move out after I graduate.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility for someone your age,” Mrs. Summers said kindly.

Isabella smiled, the same polite, unreadable one she always wore. “I don’t really think of it like that. She’s just my sister.”

“And what are your plans after graduation?” Mr. Summers asked, helping Jaxon cut his food into smaller pieces.

“I’m hoping to get a culinary certification through an outreach program at the community college. I have a few friends in the food industry who are helping me find a job.”

PJ watched her closely. He had no idea if that was true.

Throughout dinner, Alice delighted in the novelty of Jaxon’s old high chair, using her new vantage point to experiment with gravity. Bits of mashed potatoes and green beans ended up on the floor, her tray, and occasionally Isabella’s lap. Isabella tried to keep up, murmuring a quiet, “No, we don’t throw food,” each time Alice launched another handful.

Jaxon, for his part, found it hilarious. “She’s a little menace!" He said it like it was something to be proud of.

Alice clapped her hands at the praise.

Mrs. Summers just smiled as she started gathering dishes. “I don’t miss the mess, but I do miss having a baby in the house.” She tickled Alice under the chin. “You are just the cutest thing, aren’t you?”

Alice babbled happily, kicking her feet.

After dinner came dessert—apple pie, warm and fragrant. Over slices of it, Mr. Summers prattled on about PJ’s upcoming game.

“College scouts, PJ. This is a huge opportunity. You play well, you’ll be looking at some real scholarship options.”

PJ nodded stiffly, keeping his eyes on his plate. He didn’t have the energy to correct him.

Across the table, Isabella shot him a sympathetic look between bites.

Eventually, it was time for Jaxon to head to bed and for Isabella and Alice to leave. Mr. Summers insisted that PJ at least walk them to the bus stop. Before Isabella could protest, PJ grabbed his leather jacket.

Mrs. Summers, meanwhile, discreetly slipped a few Tupperware containers into the stroller’s undercarriage.

It was cold outside. Isabella paused on the porch, tucking Alice’s blanket more securely around her before heading toward the bus stop.

PJ fell into step beside her. “So…” he began. “Where am I walking you?”

She sighed. “The bus station.”

PJ shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. “Sorry about earlier.”

“What for?” Isabella kept her eyes forward.

“Just… complaining, I guess. My problems aren’t real problems, just the self-created type.”

She was quiet for a moment. Then, softly: “Those are still problems.” Another pause. “I think life is just hard for everyone.”

PJ nodded, kicking a stray pebble on the sidewalk. “Anything you need to talk about? Anything hard going on? You do have a place to stay, right?” He glanced at her. “Because if you don’t, I’ll just sneak you back into my house.”

Isabella actually considered this. For several moments, she was silent, the sounds of the night settling between them.

Finally, she answered. “We’ll be at a hotel through the weekend. I’m finishing my food handler’s permit tomorrow and starting a new job. I don’t have any credit, but I’m hoping to find a sublease once I have more steady income.”

PJ frowned. “That’s… a lot.”

A few other people had gathered at the stop. The glow of approaching headlights flickered down the street.

He felt like he needed to say something. Anything. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Isabella turned to look at him, then tilted her head slightly. “Do you pray?”

PJ hesitated. Then he nodded. It wasn’t a complete lie. He had prayed. Just… not recently.

“Just pray for me, I guess.”

PJ helped her lift Alice's stroller onto the bus. Then he walked home in silence.