Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
I heard a twittering sound coming towards us and the closer it got I realized it wasn’t some sort of endangered bird, but rather the fake nasal twang of some chick that was headed our way.
You know the sound: that put-on sulky pout bullshit that twits are always trying to pull off. That’s what it sounded like. I didn’t miss the body language of the two women at the new arrival and walked over to my girl.
***
ILENE
I guess I shouldn’t feel any way about him bringing her here, but it still galled me. Did he seriously think this was the right thing to do? Alana is going to be so upset by this.
On the other hand, Dane had the strangest look on his face as they made their way towards us.
“What the fuck is that?” He pointed at Mark’s fiancé Joanne as they drew closer.
“That’s Mark’s fiancé Joanne.” I tried to keep my voice low so as not to carry, because Janine was already starting to huff next to me, and I wasn’t sure about Dane.
“It takes all fucking kinds.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Mark overheard and took umbrage. It’s funny how I never noticed how soft he was before.
I guess I’d never really seen him around a real man before. Mark likes to surround himself with lesser beings, men he found to be weaker than him. But seeing him in the same space as Dane...my thoughts were rudely cut off at the next words out of Dane’s mouth.
“It’s supposed to mean, that you made a bad fucking deal; your loss.” And with that he took my hand and led me away.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“What, were you expecting me to be cordial?”
“Yes, we have to be for Alana’s sake.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, that’s the last fucking thing that kid needs. She needs to be surrounded by people who are going to tell her the truth and allow her to see the world the way it really is, not this candy coated bullshit. That way when she grows up she’ll know not to marry a dick-wad like her fuck of a dad.”
“Are you saying that I’m stupid because I married him?” I wasn’t sure how to feel about that, even though I’ve called myself a hundred types of fool since he left me high and dry.
“I would never call you stupid babe, what the fuck? Do I look like the type of motherfucker that would fall in love with an idiot?” I blushed and looked down at the ground.
Each time he said it I had the same reaction, butterflies in my tummy.
“No babe you’re not stupid, but I’ve met your mom so I know what kind of fucked up childhood you had.” I wasn’t too happy about that assessment either, but there was a whole lot of truth to it.
“Stop fussing. If I did half the shit to you that’s running around in my head, I’d get arrested in ten fucking states. Trust me, the fault wasn’t in you, you just have poor taste in men that’s all.”
“Well if my taste is so bad what does that say about you?”
“Nothing, you didn’t choose me, I chose you.” We headed into the auditorium after that with the others bringing up the rear.
Dane refused to sit with them and made no bones about it. He found four seats up front on the opposite side and didn’t even look at Mark and Joanne for the rest of the evening.
I could feel Mark’s glare from where I sat, but chose to ignore and enjoy my child’s performance.
I almost felt bad for him when it was all over and done and Alana made a beeline for us. “Did you see was I good?” I never noticed before how starved she was for attention, until she stood in front of Dane with bright eyes full of hope.
I really lost it though, when he kissed her little head and hugged her. “You were perfect squirt.”
Of course Mark chose that moment to approach us and play dad of the year. “Oh hi dad.” Her greeting was fleeting and not at all welcoming, which caused his face to redden with anger.
I wanted to scream bloody murder, not to mention do bodily harm when the home-wrecker had the audacity to put her hands on my daughter.
“Ugh, Alana you haven’t been doing what I told you, your hair is so drab.” Alana shrugged the hand from her hair and moved closer to my side.
Both Janine and Dane started to bristle at this and I was preparing to head them off when Alyssa saved the day. “Come on Alana we have to go back with the others.” The two preteens walked off arm in arm.
“And who might you be? I’m Joanne.” She held her dainty little hand out to Dane and I wasn’t sure which I wanted to do more, snatch her bald or knock her teeth out. What gall.