Midge clicked her tongue at me, the motion dissolving into a smile when I looped an arm around her shoulders. The first year after my concussion had been the hardest of my life. My parents took it even harder. It was the migraines and the memory issues. My complete loss of identity and the near constant shit we heard about my retirement. In hindsight, I recognized how they rallied our neighbors, closing up ranks to protect me. But I only felt like I’d let everyone down.

Now they were back to being happy and loud and quick to tease. Though I’d never forget waking up in the hospital after my last match and seeing the real fear carved into their faces.

Mom patted my cheek softly. “All of your hard work is coming together so wonderfully.”

I indicated the neighbors and friends around us. “They’re all doing the hard work.”

Midge scoffed. “You’re underestimating yourself, Dean. Sometimes certain situations need a leader. We’re proud of you for stepping up.”

I cast my eyes to the ground, uncomfortable with their praise.

“I always thought Tabitha was special,” Mom said quietly. “I used to tell Drew after those groups we went to at the Lavender Center that she would do great things. And I wasn’t wrong, was I?”

“You weren’t wrong,” I said, trying not to think too hard about stars and solar systems and right hooks.

“So I think we’re ready,” Tabitha said, propping her hands on her hips. Alice perked up like she was about to meet the Queen. “And you don’t need to worry about saying the perfect thing. I’ll be editing, but people don’t like perfect responses anyway. They like recognizing themselves in others. That means flaws and awkward stuff and messiness.”

Eddie shrugged and Alice smiled.

“Why don’t you start by telling me how Annie took care of this corner of Tenth and Emily Street.”

“Well,” Eddie started, “Annabeth…Annie, she was a one-of-a-kind lady. She didn’t trust nobody to come help us if we needed it. Did trust her neighbors though. She believed we all needed to stick together. That’s why I know if she could see what’s been happenin’ where her house used to be, she’d be mad as an alley cat.”

“And what has been happening here?” Tabitha asked gently.

Alice sniffed, raised her chin. “The city condemned Annie’s beautiful house. Tore it down without any sensitivity to the fact that a human being once lived there. But I believe turning this place into something that makes our neighbors happy is exactly what she would have wanted.”

“Like what?” Tabitha asked.

Eddie looked around. “You’ve been talking about making it like a park. I like that a lot. Just having all the trash gotten rid of makes me feel proud of what we can do, you know?”

“Oh yes, I agree,” Alice said.