Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Move along, idiot. Let the poor women go. “Thank you,” I offer, sounding dumbfounded.
“Thank you, Raven. Enjoy your day.”
I place my phone on the white table, along with the pen and paper, and sit against the headboard, sliding down until my head hits the pillow.
There are so many questions I should’ve asked before hanging up that call, but they’d all eluded me at the time.
Being caught off guard is the worst.
But I can’t complain. It’s taken years for some of my friends to be offered better positions, and here I am getting a better gig before I even start?
It sounds too good to be true. Which means it probably is.
I groan, hating that I’m being robbed of my last few days but ready to start earning real money. My mom has been paying for my apartment, and I know it’s been a stretch for her, even with my father’s life insurance money.
I’d tried to convince her we could live together to save, but she insisted I have the experience they’d always promised me. City living in a place of my own because I’ve never been fond of the idea of sharing a space with a roommate. My mom would be the only one I’d make an exception for.
I close my eyes, giving myself permission to rest today. All the projects I wanted to get done can wait. Sleep is more important. As I drift off, all I see are cornflower eyes and a devilish smirk.
“I can’t believe you already managed to snag a better position. You’ve got to be the luckiest girl I know, Raven,” Lily says, stuffing a forkful of lo mein into her mouth.
After lying down for another hour, I got up and tackled my list. With the help of my mom, who insisted on coming into the city, and Lily, I managed to get two days’ worth of stuff done in one.
“Her father and I have said that since she was born,” my mom says, smiling widely. “She was born under a full moon, after all.”
“I’m not sure it’s lucky to be born during a full moon, Mom.”
I take a bite of the chicken and rice my mom brought us and moan in appreciation.
Mom scoffs. “Nonsense. Full moons are magical.”
“I agree,” Lily says, nodding her head.
“Kiss ass,” I whisper under my breath, sharing a smile with Lily.
My mom makes work of cleaning up the empty food cartons and carrying them the two steps to the kitchen. My place is one big open space, and my bedroom is separated by a row of foldable white panel wall dividers. It’s small but cozy.
I’m lucky to afford this in the city.
“I need to go, lovies,” my mom says, heading toward me with her arms outstretched. “Tomorrow will be here far too quickly for my liking.” Pulling me into a tight hug, she places a kiss on my temple. “Good luck tomorrow. You make me proud.”
I inhale, taking in the scent that is all Teresa Bennett. Jasmine with a hint of citrus and cedar wood. I squeeze her back, wishing she’d stay but knowing I’ll need to get to bed soon myself.
My mom is home.
She’s my comfort, and it’s always hard to let go, even when I know I’ll see her soon.
After experiencing the loss of my dad, the reality that life isn’t promised is a dark cloud that hovers above, spoiling even the best of days.
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, baby girl.” She wipes a tear from under my eye. “Why the sad face?”
“I just wish Daddy were here.”
Her sharp intake of breath always comes at the mention of him. The hurt from his absence never quite abated. I doubt it ever will. He was her soul mate, and love like that doesn’t come around twice in a lifetime.
Or so she says.
“He’s so proud of you. You know that, right?”
I nod, unable to form words, emotion threatening to tug me under.
This is a happy time, and I refuse to have it spoiled because I’m unable to celebrate what I do have. A mom who loves me fiercely and a friend that’s willing to give up her one day off to help me organize my messy apartment.
I stand tall, take a deep breath, and offer a genuine smile. “Thanks for dinner.”
Her hands rise to my shoulders, squeezing. “I’m glad I got to spend the afternoon with you two.”
I walk her to the door and offer one last hug and smile before shutting the door and turning on a sigh.
When my eyes meet Lily’s, she’s staring at me with a look I can’t quite place.
“What?”
She shrugs. “You’ve been a bit off today. And I know it’s not just about your father. Care to tell me why?”
I walk past her, heading to the chair, and swipe the carton of lo mein from her hands.
“Hey! I wasn’t done with that,” she whines.