Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“I know you understand how love works. The heart wants what it wants. By the way she also told me that she hadn’t really made any plans for the summer. She’s used to staying…”
“Oh it’s perfectly fine by me that you two have fallen for each other. I think it’s wonderful in fact. I just hope you take good care of my little girl…
“Of course he’ll be good to her, he’s my blood isn’t he? I think it’s high time you got married and settled down son, haven’t I been saying that? And Elaina seems like a nice young lady.”
“She is dad, but I just want Lisa to be comfortable, after all we’re going to be a family soon.” Over my dead body. From the look on her face after that I was sure she was going to have a very miserable day.
But now Elaina was back to worrying so I hustled her out of the house and into the car. “Okay tell me. What happened between the time you went upstairs and came back down?”
“Nothing happened.” So why do you look so scared again? And why has the light dimmed in your eyes? I didn’t press her, figuring the farther she gets away from here the better she’d be.
I fought with the next part of my plan. I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do or not. In the end I just went with it. “Where are we going? I thought you said your office was…”
“I’m not taking you to my office.
“Then where are you taking me?”
“I’m taking you to my mother.” I don’t know why the hell that thought got stuck in my mind and refused to leave, but it was the best I could do. I couldn’t keep her shut away in my office all day.
She’d had enough of that at that school.
And I couldn’t leave her on her own. So mom was the next best thing. If I didn’t have appointments lined up today I would’ve taken the day off to spend with her.
“Your mom?” She sounded nervous and afraid.
“Yes, she’s the only one I trust with you right now. I promise to finish early and come get you. We’ll have dinner out somewhere. Don’t worry, she doesn’t blame you for what your mother did.”
“You know about her don’t you?” The question came out small and filled with shame. A shame that wasn’t hers to bear. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for what she is.” She jumped at the tone in my voice and I had to reach for her hand and hold it in mine.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you sweetheart, let’s just drop it for now okay.” I’d planned to ask her about what she’d said about dad the day before, but she was in no shape for anything that heavy. And once again I was left to wonder just what the hell had happened when she went upstairs earlier.
I pulled up to mom’s place only then realizing that I hadn’t even called to let her in on my little plan for today. I know her though, she won’t turn her away. Not once she knows how I feel about her. I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her fingers. “Ready?” She nodded her head but looked anything but.
“Mom, I’m here, I brought you a guest.” “Luke, son what are you doing here so early in the morning? Aren’t you going to the office? I thought…” She came from the back drying her hands with a kitchen towel.
“Guest, what…Oh.” She stopped short and smiled when she saw Elaina. I knew she recognized her when she stopped, but she caught herself and smiled with her hand held out.
“Mom, this is Elaina, Elaina my mother, Sissy.” I had to push her forward the poor girl was so scared. Mom noticed, and just as I knew she would took over.
“Well aren’t you the prettiest little thing. I hope my son has been on his best behavior. I did try to bring him up right, but you know how that goes; boys.” I could only wish she didn’t use me as her scapegoating icebreaker.
I walked behind the two of them to the living room where mom had already offered her six different meals in less than five minutes. That’s how I knew that they were going to be okay.
Of course mom kept giving me looks, which meant she was dying to stick her nose in my shit and ask me questions I didn’t yet have the answers to. But I was saved by her manners and Elaina’s presence.
I took out my wallet and removed my black card. “Here, take this.” I passed the card to Elaina. “Mom, I’m expecting you to take her shopping. Don’t let her give you any trouble, just get whatever you think she may need.”