Jamison wasn’t the type to meddle in other people’s business, and yet, right now, he was going out of his way–almost eager to help.
Was it because he felt sympathy for Byron’s past? Or maybe he just wanted to thank Byron for helping her before?
Whatever the reason, Ivy was deeply grateful for what he was doing.
In that moment, her opinion of Jamison rose several notches–she found herself admiring not just his character, but the kind of man he was.
Byron was just as shocked, stammering uncertainly, “Do you… do you really think… someone like me could ever-?”
Jamison nodded, his voice steady. “Absolutely. There are companies in the city that hire people with disabilities. You finished middle school, right? That’s more than enough to get started.”
Ivy couldn’t take her eyes off Jamison, overwhelmed by surprise and gratitude. Right now, he seemed almost like a guardian angel.
It’s better to teach someone to fish than to just give them a fish, she thought. If Byron could land a job and support himself, his life would change, and maybe he could finally leave behind this backward, isolated village.
Jamison’s idea was perfect.
She turned to Byron, her tone gentle but firm. “You should try your luck in the city. You’re still young, and you need to think about your future. It’s hard for you to get around, so looking after sheep or pigs isn’t right for you. If you find work in the city, it’ll be easier, and you’ll be able to save enough to give your mother a better life.”
Ivy’s concern for Byron’s mother went back years–to the time when Byron’s parents had hidden her deep in the mountains. Back then, Byron’s father had tried to assault her. It was Byron’s mother who’d thrown herself in front, shielding Ivy without a second thought.
Byron’s mother had been bought and brought to this village, never able to leave, living her whole life under her husband’s abuse. She was a victim too.
Byron stared at them, his whole body trembling even harder.
Seeing his intense reaction, Ivy worried he was about to refuse, but instead, after a long silence, he suddenly dropped to his knees. His body hit the ground with such
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force that everyone around jumped in alarm.
“Miss Daisy… thank you–thank you for my mother… thank you, both of you-” he sobbed, bowing his head over and over in gratitude, unable to stop the words from tumbling out.
Ivy felt her heart twist, eyes burning with sudden tears. She knelt down to help him up. “Byron, please, don’t do this. You deserve it.”
It was his kindness, she thought, that had finally brought a blessing back to him. He truly deserved this chance.
The people nearby hurried to lift Byron off the ground as he clutched the money, crying like a lost child. Ivy let her own tears fall, unable to hold them back
anymore.
Jamison reached over, drawing her into his arms. Ivy leaned her head against his shoulder, her whole body shaking.
For her, this reckless journey had become a rescue mission in more ways than one. She and Byron had come from two different worlds, yet by some twist of fate, they’d managed to save each other.
The knot in Ivy’s heart, wound tight for so long, finally began to loosen.
When Byron’s sobs at last subsided, he wiped at his eyes, already thinking of his bedridden mother waiting at home. He needed to get back, but before he left, he turned to lvy and said, with careful seriousness, “Miss Daisy… my name isn’t Silly. It’s Byron Clark.”
He’d never believed he was stupid, but everyone in the village called him that–even his father. It made people forget he had a real name.
Only his mother ever called him Byron. To her, he was never a fool.
Ivy understood instantly. She took a deep breath, gathering herself, and held out her hand with a bright smile. “All right, Byron. Then let’s start over. I’m not really Daisy–I’m Ivy.”
“Ivy, I know,” he replied, beaming. “I–V–Y…”
He’d only finished middle school, but Byron had always loved to read, and he was far mese knowledgeable than people gave him credit for.
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