Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 93284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Janie screaming and crying because James had left her, and I was trying to talk to her to get her to calm down when there was a tap on the door. I turned in my seat to see Dougie’s mom holding a sleeping little girl.
I threw open my door and had her in my arms before she even had a chance to back away. As soon as I got my arms around her she started crying, which in turn started me to crying. Kayla lay asleep between us, blissfully unaware to what was going on.
I had only met Mrs. Nash a few times, but each of those times we bonded because of her love of Roller Derby. We were both talking about what we were interested in when the roller derby came up. I started in with the Roller Derby scene when I was fourteen. Each Tuesday and Thursday night we would practice, and then on Saturday nights the bought was held.
I roped Ember into it, and we have competed with the Bombers every season since. One weekend while Dougie was visiting, Mrs. Nash drove down with Kayla, and they decided to go watch one of our meets. Mrs. Nash fell in love with it, and even came one other time without Dougie being there. She was always so lovely and full of life. She did come off as sad at times, but Dougie explained that she missed her husband. They had been together for forty five years when Mr. Nash had died of a heart attack.
“How are you doing Mrs. Nash?” I whisper into her ear.
Her breath hitches, and she says “Not so good. I always knew this was a possibility. I just never thought it would happen to him. My heart feels empty. A parent shouldn’t outlive a child.”
By the time she finished telling me this she was outright crying. Kayla woke, and looked so sweet and sleepy. I reached for her and gave her a big hug and a sloppy kiss on the cheek. She giggled and said “Stop it!”
“Would you like to play with Janie for a little bit? She sure has missed you!” I asked her, while opening up the back door where Janie was, and set Kayla on the seat. The two girls started talking in the baby language like they understood perfectly what the other was saying. I closed the door and turned back to Mrs. Nash.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Nash. I don’t even know what to say. I loved Dougie too, and I am sure it is no comparison to what you have to be feeling right now. Do you have a room here?” I asked her.
“Yes, it’s on the fourth floor. I’m just so tired. I haven’t slept since the soldier came to the door to tell me. I need to talk to Sam and James also. Could you tell them to come see me?” she asked.
“Of course! I’ll send him up there as soon as we get checked in.” I said to her.
“Yes, that is good. My room number is 407.” She said while reaching for the door handle to get Kayla.
“Would you like us to keep her for a little while? I’ll watch her while you get some rest. I’ll bring her back later this evening.” I said to her.
“That would be good. I need a little break down time. I haven’t been able to get away from her for long. She senses that something wrong. I don’t know what to tell her.” She answered.
“Ok. If you want to go ahead, I’ll send them to you when they get a chance.” I replied.
She nodded her head, and shuffled around the side of the building disappearing out of sight a while later. She looked defeated. My heart hurt even more now that I had seen her. Dougie always said she had died a little inside after Mr. Nash passed. And now I am sure if it wasn’t for Kayla, she would have been an empty shell.
Ember and Blaine had come over as soon as Mrs. Nash left, to watch the girls play together in the back seat. This was a bittersweet feeling, seeing them laughing and happy when the world had just lost a wonderful man.
Sam came out a short while later with two key cards. One for each of us. The guys followed him out, talking in a low tone that I couldn’t make out. He came up between Blaine and I, wrapping his arm around my waist, staring in the Suburban’s window watching the two girls play.
“What’s going on?” Sam asked quietly.
“Mrs. Nash came by with Kayla a little while ago. She wants James and you to come see her when you get a chance.” I said. “I’ll watch the girls while y’all go.”
James came up to me and wrapped his arms around me. I sank into him, breathing him in, being thankful that he was still alive. I’d been close to losing him.
James kissed the top of my head, then opened the car door and got Janie out of her seat and set her down on the concrete beside the Suburban. He then reached for Kayla and did the same with her. The little girls ran around at our feet and laughed and played. I grabbed both of their hands when the luggage was all loaded onto the luggage rack and headed towards the elevators.
Everyone ended up on the same floor, and we dropped off luggage at each door we passed until we arrived at our door. James had a connecting door to our room. I entered into my room and let the girls free to explore. They took off and started jumping from couch to couch. James walked out through the connecting room’s door and asked if Sam was ready, obviously overhearing my conversation with Sam earlier. Sam nodded, so I picked up the phone and gave Mrs. Nash a quick call to let her know that they were on the way.
“We’ll be back.” Sam said while giving me a quick peck on the lips before him and James exited the hotel room.