Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Seeing him stand there with his eyes just as red as mine. Both of us looked like we didn’t sleep all night, and I can say I didn’t. I thought about packing it all up yesterday and leaving. I ran it over in my head, but then I looked over at Sofia and knew that she deserved better. She deserves for me to give him a chance and hear him out. For her. She deserves it all. So much so I called work and asked them for a month off. My stomach was in my throat the whole time, and I wondered if they would even give it to me, but I knew if they didn’t, I would give them my resignation letter. I have a good-size savings, and I know I will be able to get a job.
"Be right there,” I say, taking off my oven mitt and walking over to her. I sit down next to her and grab the papers she was working on. "Let’s see what you did here." I smile at her and look at the worksheet she’s working on. "You did good."
"Can we go play outside now?" she asks, and I look over at the stove clock.
"Let me just clean up a bit,” I say. “Why don’t you go and grab a couple of books and read them to me?” I say, and she gets off the chair and runs to the living room, coming back with four books. "Which one are you going to read first?" I ask, wetting a rag and turning to wipe down the counters that are splattered with flour. Something I should have known when I gave Sofia the electric whisk and a bowl of flour. The knock on the door has me stopping, and I look over at Sofia. My stomach sinks and my heart speeds up when I hear the knock again.
I put the rag down, walking over to the door, bracing myself for what is to come. I pull it open, and my eyes widen when I see Savannah standing there. "Hey." She smiles at me and puts her sunglasses on her head. "I’m sorry to just drop in. But I was hoping you had some time to talk to me."
"Oh my gosh," I say, shaking my head. “Please come in." I move to the side, and she comes in. She smells like a garden. Her black hair is in a ponytail as she wears white jeans and a pink shirt. “Please come in,” I say and then smile. “I just took my blueberry scones out of the oven."
She gasps out. “Well, if this isn’t just my day." She follows me to the kitchen. "There she is," Savannah says, going over to Sofia and squatting down beside her. “I must have heard your name over a hundred times today." She taps her nose with her finger. “Were your ears ringing?”
Sofia puts her hands to her ears. “Momma, my ears ring,” she says, making us both laugh, and I shake my head.
"No, honey,” Savannah tells her. “Your ears ring when people are talking about you.” She looks at Savannah, shaking her head.
"They didn’t ring." She looks at me. “Did you hear it?"
"I think I did a bit,” I say, and she just shrugs and turns back to her book.
"Can I get you something to drink?" I ask Savannah as she stands up. “I just made some sweet tea,” I say, walking over to the fridge. “Not going to lie. I have not made that in a while." I take out the glass jug from the fridge.
"I’ll take whatever you are having," Savannah says, getting up. I pour her a glass of sweet tea and one for myself also, grabbing a small plastic cup for Sofia. I grab the lemon icing and slowly pour some over five scones, placing them on a plate.
I place the plate in the middle and look at Sofia, who is already reaching out to grab one. “Don’t you dare,” I say, and she stops midway. “Let me get you a plate,” I say, turning and walking to get small plates. “Okay, which one do you want?" She gets up, leaning over the table. “Pick one.”
She sits there looking at all of them, and I look over and see Savannah with the biggest smile. “It’s a hard choice," she tells her. “But I think they all look good."
"This one." She points at the one nearest to her. I place it on her plate and hand Savannah hers. "You can choose yours,” I say, and she laughs.
I sit now with a plate and choose my own. "Oh my God," Savannah says with a full mouth. “Oh my God." I smile, proud that they turned out good. "These are …" she says, closing her eyes and just savoring them. I take my own bite, and the tang of the citrus hits my tongue right away, and then the sweetness from the fresh berries fills my mouth.