Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Don’t worry about dinner with me. We can reschedule whenever. I can even come into the city for lunch this week, make it easier on you.”
“Hold on, Mom, I’m going to lose you as I get in the car.” One of the reasons I was hoping this would be a short call. Now that I’m seated in the car, I’ll no doubt be on the phone for the foreseeable future. I love my mom, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not much for being on the phone unless absolutely necessary. I spend a lot of time on it as it is for work, never mind the fucking computer. “Okay, I’m back. We can do lunch; that might work better. Ezra is talking about taking Four Brothers into something bigger. It could potentially mean that my weekends won’t be my own.”
“That’s fine. If Wednesday is good, I’ll make the trip down, have lunch with my best boys, and maybe Theo and Boston will join us as well?” She’s fishing again. I have to give her credit; Mom is good at what she does.
“I’ll make my schedule clear as I’m sure will the others. You know if you’d allow me to buy you a place in the city, it would make life a shit ton easier.” No matter what Ezra and I do, she won’t give up the small place we all grew up in. We wanted her close, but Mom pushed back and told us this was the place that held great memories, not allowing any of the negative to hold her in a dark place.
“Not happening. Maybe if you boys would find good women, settle down, give me a grandchild or two, then I’d be more apt to move. As it is, if I were to move, I’d still only see you once a week, if that. No thanks. I’ll stay where I have friends around me and where my work is.” Another thing about my stubborn mom, she doesn’t have to work. The house is paid off, her car is, too, insurance and phone are in my name. Ezra handles the utilities, yet still, she works part-time at the church daycare. You’d think she got enough of kids that way.
“We’ll table this subject again. Can you send me the recipe, or a picture of it? It won’t be long until I’m at the grocery store. Also what she’ll need in regards to drinks and medicine. I don’t know the symptoms, minus a fever and her teeth chattering.” Pain reliever will help, of course, plus fluids to keep her hydrated. After that, I have no idea.
“I’m getting the recipe book out now. I’ll add on what she’ll probably want or need.” I guess not getting sick is a blessing and a curse. I’m thankful because I never missed a day from school or now work, but also pissed because if I had any inkling, I’d know exactly what I’d need, keep it on hand, and cut out the time it takes to stop at the store and then have to fuck with a parking spot near Nessa’s place.
“Thanks, Mom. Love you, and whatever day you come into the city, pack a bag. Spend a couple of days. It’s been a while,” I offer, hoping she’ll take me up on it.
“You’re welcome. Let me look at my schedule, but that should be manageable. The message is sending. Love you, son. The next time I have to hear about any important news from Ezra, you’ll catch my wrath.” Clearly, the rounds we went this morning weren’t enough to knock some common sense into his head. I wonder how he’d feel if I brought up a certain woman named Millie to Mom like he brought Vanessa up to her.
“Will do. Talk soon.” I hit the end button right as I’m reaching the grocery store that’s close to Nessa’s house, thank fucking God.
TEN
Nessa
The door opens and shuts, right along with my eyes. I think I’m hearing things. Does this flu or cold thing that’s going through my body have me hallucinating.
“Son of a bitch,” I hear a male voice grunt and something being bumped. That has me sitting straight up in my bed, body protesting as a shiver works its way through me. The sheet and comforter are more than likely soaked through from the fever that keeps coming and going. Though I’m completely and totally screwed. My genius idea to sleep naked is flopping right about now. There isn’t even a robe, a shirt, or a spare blanket. Which leaves me with taking the sheet and comforter with me as I pat my hand on the bed, looking for my phone before I stand up. The tissues in my nose to stop the draining once I lay down are a whole other look that no one should be privy to. I reluctantly take them out since I’m not going to be in bed. There are still noises coming from the kitchen, like banging around, the open and closing of a cabinet. My hand finds my phone, clenching it tightly while I wiggle out of my bed, taking the deep rich-tone fabric with me, sheets that were an absolute splurge but worth it to the say the least. The comforter is crushed velvet in an apricot color, the perfect weight whether it’s summer or winter. Really, when decorating my apartment, I chose to live in it before going gung-ho, only buying the necessities, then putting my stamp on it a little at a time.