Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“I’m waiting for an answer here guys. Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah dad, we knew she was leaving soon anyway.” He was trying to be brave but I could tell by the slump of his shoulders that he was nowhere near happy. In for a penny, in for a pound. Might as well get it all over with.
“There’s something else. Remember the lady I told you guys about yesterday?”
“Uh-huh.” I had their full attention now. Even Mellie stopped trying to spill her milk to look at me.
“She’s coming to dinner tonight.” I waited for whatever they were gonna say next, but they went back to eating their apples and kept their thoughts to themselves.
“Anything? Okay then if you’re sure you don’t have any questions for me I’ll get dinner started.” The microwave beeped and I stood to get the defrosted meet out. I found everything I needed to make my spaghetti special. It was a favorite with both kids and since it was the best thing I knew how to make I figured it should be the first thing I make Case.
“Can I help daddy?” Crap, that means I’d be spending the better part of tonight cleaning up her mess.
“Sure princess let’s bring your chair over here. Jr. You okay buddy?”
“Yeah dad.” It was obvious that there was something on his mind so I gave his sister busy work to keep her out of the way and went to sit with him again.
“What’s on your mind son?”
“Does mom know?”
“Does mom know what?”
“That I told you about…” So that’s what’s bothering him.
“Yes she does son, that’s not your fault, you’re supposed to be honest with me no matter what understand?”
“Okay dad. Is she mad?”
“Not at you son. Not at you.”
I wonder how many things he’s kept from me so he wouldn’t make her mad. I went back to dinner prep and fielded questions from both of them about our guest. I figured that was a good sign. At least they were showing an interest.
“She’s gonna be here soon guys, best behavior you understand?” I got their nods and went to look out the front door for her arrival. She didn’t know where I lived until a few hours ago, that was another shitty thing I’d done, something else I had to make up for.
I felt my daughter’s little hand slip into mine and looked down at her cuteness. “Is she going to like me daddy?”
“She’s going to love you pumpkin.”
Just then I heard her jeep pulling into the drive and opened the door.
“A hand please sir?” What the hell? She was laden down with bags. “I think I remember telling you not to bring anything but yourself.”
“I know but I figured you being a man you’d forget dessert and a lady never comes to dinner without bearing gifts. Hi, you must be Melissa. What a pretty shirt. Is that Hello Kitty?” She was talking too fast which she always does when she’s nervous. Mellie slipped around me and went to stand in front of her, holding out the bottom of her shirt.
“It’s my favorite.”
“It’s very pretty. You know what was my favorite when I was your age? Belle, from Beauty and the Beast.” They both said the words together and I guess that was all my daughter needed as an invitation to take Casey’s free hand.
Junior was hanging back on the porch just taking it all in. He’s like his old man. It takes him a while to warm up. I was prepared for the awkward first meeting between her and my son, but once again she surprised me.
“And you must be Jackson Jr. Your daddy has told me so much about you. I think I have something in here for you. Something about Dungeons and Dragons I think it is.” His eyes lit up but he still said nothing.
We trooped into the house with the kids leading the way. “You listened.” I’d told her all about my boy’s obsession with that particular video craze a while ago. “Of course.” She looked back over her shoulder with a smile and I took the opportunity to steal a kiss.
“I missed you sweetheart, how was your day?” I followed her into the kitchen where we off loaded her bags. “Uneventful. The house on Tompkins Lane is almost ready to show.”
“That’s good, we already have three buyers.”
“Well you might have to raise your price a little. I was having a bad day yesterday, I took it out on your bank account.”
“Figures.”
The kids were eyeing the bags like it was Xmas morning and they’d waited as long as they could stand. “Nope, dinner, homework, then gifts.”
“Aw dad.” That’s the most life I’ve heard out of my son in a while.
“Sorry squirt you know the rules.”
He and his sister set the table without being told and me, and my little family sat down to eat. I forgot to tell her to dress down but then again I doubt she’d know what that meant. I despaired of the outcome of her yellow cashmere sweater. Cashmere and spaghetti sauce don’t actually go together.