Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Once I finished up in the kitchen, I tossed the rag in the sink and made my way down the hall to the laundry room. I pulled the clothes from the dryer and tossed them in the laundry basket before switching out the clothes from the washer.
I carried the basket into the living room and had just started folding them when headlights flashed across the living room window. I glanced up at the clock and was surprised to see that it was after nine.
It was pretty late. I didn’t usually have people stop by, and I certainly didn’t have them stop by at this hour. Curious, I got up and looked out the window just in time to see my mother and father step up to the front door.
One of them knocked, and I shouted, “Coming!”
I stepped over and opened the door, and Dad gave me a warm smile. “Surprise!”
“Hey there, honey.” Mom reached out and hugged me. “We were on our way home from dinner and saw your lights on.”
“You can’t pass my place without checking in?”
“Absolutely not,” Dad answered. “No way I’d miss an opportunity to say hi to my girl.”
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by.”
I shut the door behind them, and they settled into their usual spots on the couch. I went back over to my laundry and continued folding as I asked, “So, where did you guys eat?”
“We tried that new little bistro down by the square. It’s called Malones or something like that.”
“What did you think?”
“It was overpriced, and the food was mediocre,” Dad answered for her. “They’d do good to add a few things to the menu. Like a good steak or a hearty pasta.”
“They just opened,” Mom argued. “I’m sure they’ll add to the menu as they go, and I thought it was quite good. I was thinking I might take Vicky and Sue Ellen to have lunch there one day next week.”
“That would be nice.”
“You should take them to Dixie’s Café,” Dad suggested. “They’ve got better options, and they aren’t so damn high.”
“We eat there all the time.” Mom rolled her eyes in frustration. “I think they’d appreciate the change.”
“I’m sure they will.” Hoping to change the subject, I asked, “So, what’s been going on with you two? Any new projects at the house or family drama I should know about?”
“You and your sister are the only drama I know about.” Mom gave me one of her looks. “Has there been any other developments with Lila?”
“No. She’s been behaving.” I smiled as I told them, “I actually went by her work earlier. She’s a little stressed about her classes, but overall, she seems to be doing really well.”
“Well, that’s good to hear,” Dad answered, sounding relieved. “She’s a smart girl with a good head on her shoulders. It’s time she used it.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mom sighed. “I worry about that girl every single day. I really wish she would find a good man and settle down.”
I continued folding clothes as I told her, “He’ll come around sooner or later.”
“And what about you?” Mom settled back on the sofa. “Do you have new prospects we should know about?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“It’s still early, but I’ve been seeing someone.”
Mom’s face lit up with excitement, while Dad’s smile faded into a grimace. He leaned forward as asked, “Who is this fella?”
“His name is Luke. We actually went to high school together.” I didn’t want him worrying unnecessarily, so I added, “We’re taking things slow. Getting to know one another.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It has been.” I looked at Mom and smiled. “He’s smart and funny, and he’s handsome, too. I really enjoy being with him.”
“So, he’s your age?”
“Pretty close, I guess.”
“Has he ever been married?”
“No, not that I know of.”
“Any kids?”
“No.”
“What about a record?”
“I highly doubt it.”
“Okay, so what does he do?”
“I guess you could say he works security.”
“Where?” Dad pushed.
“Stop interrogating her, honey,” Mom fussed. “Give her a chance to talk.”
“Okay. Then, get to talking.”
“There’s not much to tell.” I folded my last T-shirt and placed it on top of the pile. “He’s not like anyone I’ve ever dated before.”
“Oh, you like him.” Mom smiled. “You like him a lot.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Dad’s voice was riddled with concern as he asked, “How does this boy treat you?”
“Like I matter.”
I gave him a moment to process what I’d said, and Dad’s expression softened. He leaned back on the sofa and crossed his arms with a nod.
“That’s what’s important.”
“I think you will like him.”
“I’m sure we will.”
I knew they would have their doubts about Luke, and I couldn’t blame them. Luke was so different from Gary that I was sure they would be questioning the relationship. They both thought the world of Gary and couldn’t understand why things fell apart with him. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that we lost interest in one another.