Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 63214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“What did you think about?” Meadow’s voice sounded closer.
“I daydreamed about angels, high up in the clouds, designing beautiful snowflakes. I wondered, did their fingertips get numb by the hundredth flake?” I wiggled my fingers. “And how much hot chocolate did God have to buy before winter? Angels love hot chocolate. I figured God must’ve stockpiled marshmallows all summer.”
They giggled again.
Got them.
I rushed around and charged their way. “I found you!”
There was no escape for my attackers. They’d already been laughing too hard on the ground. Once I arrived, I discovered their snow ball pile, grabbed as many as I could, and launched the armload at them. I conquered. I defeated. I danced in circles around Rose and Meadow, twisting my hips and clapping to a victorious beat.
Maybe it was too much because eventually, I slipped on ice and fell directly on my behind. And then the girls took back their victory. They pounded me with balls and I retreated. We giggled like children, slinging snow at each other, diving for cover, and launching attacks.
We might’ve played all morning, but my ex pulled into the driveway. And a cold wind chilled the area.
Someone whispered, “Go away.”
That voice was clear and right next to me.
Yes. I’m going crazy.
Chapter 2
Faith
“G
o away.”
My body tensed.
Both girls paused and stared at the car. “Daddy!”
“Someone said go away,” I mumbled to myself. “Girls, did you hear that?”
“Hear what, Mommy?” Meadow asked.
“Never mind.” I brushed off the snow from my jacket and jeans.
Brett parked directly in front of my snowman.
I almost shrieked, thinking he would hit him.
Once Brett shut off the car, he jumped out with open arms. The girls piled into Brett, the-one-that-must-be-profaned. Brett hugged them and I remained where I stood, plastering a smile on my face and forgetting about the haunting whispers. Loneliness crashed into me and then hatred for Brett swooped in next.
Brett stared at me. He was tall and strongly-built. A frame of heavy shoulders and muscle. Black waves and lush lips. His face was a Salvador Dali painting—surreal and erotically haunting. Dreamlike. And it was all truly a dream. No man that beautiful could ever be captured.
The universe had put all the good of him on the outside.
On the inside, dark angels sliced off their wings with rusty knives and watched their black, bloody fingers drop one-by-one.
Brett was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and after all these years, I stopped his behind from gnawing on my soul.
Too much excitement lay in Meadow’s voice. “Is it time to go, Daddy?”
“Yes, my little doe.” Satan, himself, curved those demonic lips into a smile.
I should’ve looked away. There was too much sex in that mouth. If one stared too long, nude and gliding bodies would appear on the surface of that plump mouth. Naked men and women. Puffed out and greedy. Licking and wanting.
Even though I hated him, there was those moments that made me want him. His smile was one of those treacherous instances.
“I’m here to grab you two. We’re going to have some fun.” Brett took his gaze from Meadow and brought it to me. “Hello, Faith.”
There was no need to say hi back. He was spoiled and his ears were too. They didn’t deserve my voice.
Hi? How about bye? And this is fine. You’re smiling and meanwhile. . .I’m not. I won’t have the girls for Christmas! Fine. I’ll be fine. Yes. I’ll be okay.
Meadow tugged her dad’s coat. “Where’s Butterfly?”
Yes, Daddy. Where’s your young girlfriend?
Brett cleared his throat. “Butterfly has something else to do this Christmas.”
“Is she going to be with her family?” Rose asked.
“Well, no. Butterfly isn’t,” Brett cleared his throat again. “Butterfly isn’t the family type.”
Aww. Has Butterfly realized it’s more fun to be the mistress than the wife?
My girls shrugged and raced back to the house. They knew the routine. I’d packed their bags the night before and filled them with clean clothes and their favorite stuffed animals.
Meadow pretended to be over Mr. Bunny, but all knew about the deception. If Mr. Bunny came up missing, Meadow would rain down havoc in the house.
All their stuff sat at the door, including a cellphone so they could call me.
And then there was the emergency bag.
Both girls didn’t feel like they should bring it. I told them they had no choice. With them away from me for twelve days, anything could happen!
In the emergency bag, I’d packed two phone chargers, several bottles of water, canned food, a picture of us together, the Lord’s Prayer written on a sheet of paper, a map with a clear red line from their father’s house to mine, two flashlights, and a new pack of batteries.
Did I pack everything? There could be a zombie apocalypse for all I know! He better keep them safe.
The girls piled into the house, no doubt leaving tracks of snow in the living room.