Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“And we can’t forget the ones for-” Rainne’s voice and frame abruptly come to a halt, prompting me to glance down to see why.
Following her stare off into the distance towards the end of the strip center, I see a familiar sight that both swells and crushes my heart.
Never doubt that these are my children. And not just because they look like lighter skinned, green-eyed versions of me.
“Mom,” Henz calls to me while tugging on my distressed jeans, “you have them?” My gaze drops to see her bright green one that’s wide and brimming with hope. “You have them, right?”
“Always, Henz. Give me a sec.” Letting go of her hand allows me to dive into my purse for what I know they both want. The first folded coloring sheet is given to Rainne while the next is presented to my youngest. “Go ahead. I’m right behind you.”
Both kids take off towards the homeless man strumming Christmas carols on his beat-up guitar, excited to present him with another gift they made with their own hands.
“Walking feet!”
Groans of displeasure pierce the air, but they do what they’ve been told.
They slow down just enough to prevent the numerous collisions that almost occurred with the other sidewalk occupants.
I don’t know what it is about this guy, but they’ve really taken a liking to him. They each create one picture for him if they know we’re going to the bookstore and then take so much joy in delivering it directly to him. He’s almost always out here when we come and typically, playing something on his guitar, which is probably the only reason he isn’t continuously run off from the area.
“Jedd!” The girls gleefully croak in unison.
He immediately stops playing “Silent Night” and offers them a wide mouth grin. “Girls!”
My arrival isn’t far behind them whatsoever and neither is my enthusiasm. “Afternoon, Jedd!”
“The Mom,” he warmly greets on a polite head nod.
He doesn’t use their names. I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but I get the feeling he does it to prove that he’s not after us. That he doesn’t have nefarious intentions. That he just…appreciates the acknowledgment we provide. That he’s getting the kindness of visitors who want to see him versus those disgusted by his presence.
“We brought you kissmas pictures!” Henz states on a joyful bounce in place.
“Christmas,” Rainne sweetly scolds prior to offering hers. “And I used glitter crayons this time.”
“Oh yeah?” Jedd gently places his guitar down in his lap and scrubs his hands clean the best he can on his tattered green long sleeve shirt. “How come?”
“So,” pride promptly pierces her expression, “that you could have something that lights up your home like Christmas lights!”
It’s impossible to stop my gaze from cutting down the alley way towards the dumpster I know he sleeps behind.
Look, I’ve tried my best to explain that his home…isn’t the same as ours with walls and couches and a Christmas tree but clearly, I failed. Come on. You mean to tell me you’ve never missed the page?!
“Thank you, Big Green Eyes,” he sweetly states on a soft grin. “I’m sure it’ll…really light the place up.”
Rainne blushes, beams even prouder, and retreats my direction.
“I just used glitter.” Henz casually shrugs. “I wanted you to have twinkly lights, too.”
He accepts her gift with the same friendly smile. “Thank you, Little Green Eyes. I do like them twinkly lights.”
She giggles and wiggles and slinks her candy cane tights bearing frame back over to me. “Open them! Open them!”
My under the breath reprimanding is instant. “Henz.”
“Pleaseeeeee,” she adorably begs indicating she heard it.
Jedd nods and opens hers first, slyly sliding the money I tucked inside into the palm of his hand. “Wow. This…this is some Santa picture.”
Yes. Every time they bring him a picture, I slip a little cash or a gift card inside. Always different amounts. I used to toss them in his guitar case in the beginning but then that led to them throwing money at random people they liked – including their teachers. Presley Collins – my boss who I’ve become best friends with over the years – thought it was hilarious but totally understood the girls’ misinterpretation of the action and acknowledged my parental concern about not wanting them to think the whole world was a giant strip club. It was an awkward conversation. For all of the adults. Oh yeah. I made Archer’s ass participate in it, too. He was mortified about having to be in basically the principal’s office and having to listen to Presley gingerly explain why we can’t throw cash around like drug dealers on payday. And you know what? No one warns you before you have children just how many of those, weird, off the wall, how do I explain this slightly inappropriate thing to your young, still developing mind conversations you’re gonna have! There are so many!