Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
“Whatever. I’m still sending you something. You deserve it, and I want to do it, so please quit trying to tell me no. I’ll call Shaun if I have to.” Between Kari and my mother, I don’t know which one is worse.
“Fine, I’ll text you the address when we get off the phone. Tell me, is Italy as wonderful as all the photos and videos you send me?” One day, I hope to go there and capture it with my own eyes as well as my camera.
“Beyond beautiful.” Kari keeps talking. I’m half listening, half sipping my coffee, and half looking for a job. I’m beginning to think Lane County is fresh out of jobs when I hear my name being called.
“Kody, Kody, Kody!” My head turns on a swivel, trying to locate where that voice is coming from. I look from left to right, and back again.
“Kari, I gotta go.” I pull the phone away from my ear. My coffee cup drops to the ground as I find Josephine running toward me, my eyes glued to the little girl who is attempting to do the worst thing ever. Why is she trying to cross a street alone, and why does she have a foot out on the asphalt already? There’s no way in hell I am going to allow that to happen.
“Josephine, stay!” I yell out, not looking in either direction, worried that she’ll keep coming toward me. Of course, that’s when she takes another step. My heart is quite literally beating out of my chest, my stomach is sinking, and tears are starting to roll down my cheeks. I really hate being an emotional basket case sometimes. It doesn’t matter if I’m happy, sad, or angry, the fucking tears flow without me wanting them to. I hightail it, lungs burning, because one thing I am not is athletic, not in the least.
“Kody!” A car honks, and Josephine’s voice sounds more worried now. She can probably feel it coming off me in waves.
“Josephine!” Jameson’s voice can be heard for probably miles. My eyes move from JoJo’s to Jameson’s. The look of pure terror holds him in its grasp. Jesus, there is no way something can happen to her right after he lost her mom. This must be killing him. His eyes are never off Josephine; the same could be said for the rest of his family. I make it to the other side, my body trembling. Holy shit, my heart is beating out of my chest.
“Thank God,” I breathe out, or more like puff with barely any oxygen as we both reach Josephine at the same time. Jameson picks her up with one hand. The other moves to my lower back and brings me with them and out of the street.
“Thank you,” he mouths. Josephine's arms are wrapped around his neck, her little whimpers being muffled by his shirt. And Jameson’s hand is still holding me close. Maybe he needs the grasp to calm down his nerves. I know I sure could.
“You’re welcome.” I act like it’s no big deal; meanwhile, all I’m doing is playing a reel of what-ifs in my head. Not one single snapshot is of me being run down by a car. Everything is centered around JoJo. A shudder rolls through my body. Jameson must feel it because now he’s soothing me by rubbing his big hand up and down my back. The man who looked like he was ready to spit fire at me at the funeral seems to have changed his tune.
“Josephine, you can’t run off like that, okay?” She lifts away from him, nodding like a bobblehead.
“I sorrwy,” she hiccups cries. “I saw Kody.” With each word, she takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. A part of me wants to question where Jameson was and how she was able to get away from his watchful eyes. The other part of me remembers my babysitting days and how easy it is for kids to dart off.
“It’s okay. Come on. I think we’re done with the park. I’ll build a damn swing set before we come back here.” I take a step back, not wanting to intrude on their family time any longer than I already have.
“Kody come wif!” Jameson is reluctant to put her down, and for good reason. I’m pretty sure my kid would have one of those stuffed animal backpacks with a leash attached. Not really, but it sounds like a really good idea right now.
“Maybe next time you’re at your Nan’s, alright?” Jameson nods, happy I’m giving him an excuse to be his scapegoat.
“Thank you, Kody. We’ll walk you back across the street.” It almost sounds like it hurts him to say it. Wow, talk about hot and cold.
“You’re welcome, and it’s okay. I’ll see you around, JoJo.” My hand goes out to hers, asking for a high five. Instead of giving me the palm of her hand, she launches her body into mine.