Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 162369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 812(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 812(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
“It sounds like you had an amazing day,” Laura says, then turns to me. “I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time. She’s been a bit sad lately, moping in her room and staring out the window.”
“I haven’t been this happy in years!” Penny exclaims.
“Thank you for spending the day with her. It was a huge help to me, and you’ve really made her happy.”
I nod. “We had fun. Everything go okay in Boston?”
Her eyes shift a bit. “Yes. I think it went well.”
“Good.”
“Can I come back tomorrow?” Penny is still in an excited tizzy. “We can make more art.”
“I don’t think so, Penny. Grandma is coming over, and I’m sure Alex has plans.”
Penny frowns and looks at me. “What about next Saturday? I saw a typewriter in the pile and I have the most amazing idea! And I want to play with Cherry again and visit the fairy and the flowers and draw in the special place and listen to our music. Please, Alex?”
Those eyes again, burrowing into my soul, unlocking doors, dusting off memories and echoing promises.
Mrs. Rose takes Penny’s backpack from her. “No, honey, this was just a one-time—”
“It’s okay,” I interrupt. “She can come next Saturday. She’s got a great imagination, and I’d love to see her idea for the typewriter. If it’s okay with you.”
“To be honest, it would be a big help. I’ll be able to catch up on some work. As long as you’re sure?”
Penny smiles, never taking her eyes off me.
I’m drawn in, hypnotized. Enchanted and irrationally unable to say no.
Chapter 9
ALEX - 2019
A glossy black pickup truck rumbles down the driveway with rock music blasting so loud the ground vibrates. Mikey and I exchange a glance and shake our heads, laughing.
“You deaf yet, Kels?” I joke when he climbs out of the driver's side door.
He grins. “Workin’ on it.”
“You finally got your new truck,” Mikey says.
Kelley joins us on the porch, settling in the empty chair. “Finally. Ain’t it pretty?”
Me and Mikey laugh at how he’s staring at the truck like he’s in love with it. “It’s cool,” I reply. “Very loud and shiny.”
“You can have my old one. It’s got some miles, but it still runs great.”
“Nah, sell it.”
Kelley lets out a laugh. “Fox, your old piece-of-shit truck is never gonna run again. Chipmunks living in it.”
“I like chipmunks.”
“Let them live in it, then. But since your ass is too cheap to get another car, I’m giving you mine.”
“You get hit on the head, Kels? I don’t drive.”
“You’re fighting a losing battle, Kelley,” Mikey says. “I’ve been trying to get him to drive for years.”
Kelley sighs and leans back in the chair. “Screw that bullshit. It’s been, what…almost thirteen years, man. Time to get back behind the wheel.”
“And give up the fun of having you drive me around?” I say.
“Exactly.”
Penny emerges from the barn where she’s been working on a painting for her school art show, closes the big door behind her, and comes up the path with Cherry trotting at her side. She disappears in the house for a few minutes, then reappears at the front door. She steps onto the porch with two glasses of lemonade and hands one to me.
“Extra ice and sugar,” she says with a smile.
“Thanks, little darlin’.”
“None for us?” Mikey teases.
“I didn’t know you were here,” Penny replies, sitting on the porch floor next to my chair. Cherry takes the opportunity to climb onto her lap as Penny squints out at the driveway, absently stroking the dog’s head. “You got a new truck, Kelley?”
“Yup. Trying to get this loser to take my old one.”
Her nose scrunches and flashes of Brianna blind me. Sometimes, Penny reminds me so much of Bri that I wonder if she’s somehow related to her. Possibly a long-lost little cousin.
“Why does he need a truck?” she asks. “He doesn’t drive.”
I bust out laughing. “See?”
Kelley rolls his eyes. “Don’t encourage him, Penny. I’m trying to get him to be normal.”
“But this is his normal. He doesn’t have to change.”
“Thank you.” I bow my head in her direction.
Two young girls walk down the sidewalk in front of the house, chatting and laughing. Cherry barks twice at them, and they pause at the edge of the driveway.
“Hey, Penny!” the taller girl yells out. “That dog is so cute.”
Penny smiles. “Thanks.”
The girl puts her hand above her eyes to block the sun. “We’re going to the ice cream place in town. Dylan works there, and Heather wants to see if she can get him to look at her.”
The shorter girl—who must be Heather—turns bright red and smacks the girl’s arm. “I do not.”
“Want to come with us?” the girl asks. “My mom gave me twenty dollars so I can pay.”
Penny shakes her head. “No thanks, I have plans.”
“Okay. See ya Monday at school.” The girls wave and continue on their way.