Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Yes, it’s one of the best things,” Bonnie said.
“Well, we made it a good thing,” Jake added. “When I was growing up, when my dad was in one of his moods and drinking a lot, we would hang out in my bedroom. Sometimes we’d spend most of the day in there, and we would watch movies and have carpet picnics and try to forget he was there.”
Sadness and anger blended into the memory, and I hated to think of what Jake’s dad had possibly done to them. It was obvious it wasn’t good. “The carpet picnic sounds great. Sort of like us the other night,” I said. “I mean, I know it’s not the same. That’s a special mother-son thing between the two of you, but—”
“It’s the same.” Bonnie placed her hand on my knee and squeezed.
“Definitely,” Jake added.
So the three of us sat there, chatting and eating Chinese food on the floor of an apartment full of boxes.
It wasn’t long before some of her furniture began getting delivered. “Do you think the couch should go on this wall?” she asked.
“Nope. The light from the window will glare on the TV. I think you should put the couch on the opposite wall with the window across from it.”
“Perfect!” she replied.
A couple of hours later, after I’d helped Jake build a bookshelf, he said, “Too bad you have to work tonight. You could help me here with her. I’m shit at decorating, and she’s not the best at helping me put furniture together.”
“I heard that!” Bonnie called from the kitchen.
“I didn’t try and hide it!” Jake countered. There was an ache inside me. I wanted what they had so badly.
“Like I said earlier, I’m not great at it either. If you’re not done, I can help tomorrow.”
Bonnie came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. “I really appreciate your helping out today. You didn’t have to do that, especially since you work later tonight.”
There was nowhere else I’d rather be. “It’s no problem.”
She pointed to Jake. “And you should head out soon too. You don’t need to spend the whole night here with me. I can do some of it by myself, and what I can’t, will be here another day.”
“I don’t mind helping,” Jake told her.
“I know, sweet boy. And I love that about you, but I also… I think I’d like to try to do some of it myself.”
When I looked at Jake, I could see how much he wanted to be there for her, to make sure Bonnie knew she had his support, but wanted to see her spread her wings too. “Okay.” He nodded.
“You should go to the bar tonight and see Seth play. He’s lovely.”
“Oh, you don’t have to—” I sputtered.
“If I know you,” Bonnie told Jake, “you’ll worry about me. So going out might help.”
“I might do that.” Jake looked at me.
“Really?” I asked, focusing on him. Did he really want to hear me play, or was he being polite?
“I’m…not sure. I might be too tired, so…” His words stalled, and he seemed a bit cagey, his gaze roaming everywhere while totally avoiding me.
“No worries!” I rushed out. “It might not be your thing. I go in at nine, and we start our set by nine thirty, not that the time matters, but I guess it does if you’re there to hear me play.” I really needed to shut up.
“Okay, cool,” Jake said, finally looking at me again. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight.”
“Maybe you will,” I replied, hoping that maybe turned to a definite yes.
12
Jake
I paced back and forth in my living room, wearing a hole in the floorboard. Why was I acting like this was such a big deal? It was only a club, for Christ’s sake, and Seth would be playing the piano while Jesse sang for the crowd. We were friends, he seemed excited when I said I might show up, and it would be cool to see him in his element.
No doubt it was a good idea to get out since it was the first night Mom was living on her own and I’d most likely obsess about her safety all night. I reminded myself that her building was secure and that she seemed eager to have the place to herself. I needed to stop hovering like a mother hen. It was hard, though. Every time I thought about it, I imagined my dad showing up—irrational, I knew—or someone else, and hurting the person I cared about most.
Lifting my cell, I briefly considered asking Bree if she wanted to join me, but I also knew that Mark was back on the road and it was too last-minute to find a sitter for Hailey. Same with Mia. Or maybe I was making excuses because this was something I wanted to experience alone, probably so I could have my own private freak-out like I was doing now.