Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Hadn’t I? I kind of liked how Weston called me Antonia.
“Do you want to go outside?” I asked Miri, needing to change the subject, although going outside to where Weston was working was exactly the way to accomplish the task.
She shook her head no. “I’m comfortable and enjoying the quiet.”
I laughed because things definitely weren’t quiet. Not with the table saw and hammering. “All right. I’ll be back in a minute.” I opened the door and carefully stepped outside. If my mom and Nova were still on the porch, it must have been safe.
I glanced toward Cutter and Weston (or Wes, whatever he preferred to be called), who had their heads together, and Weston pointed to something on the wood. He’d taken off his long-sleeved flannel, and each time his arm moved, his bicep flexed. I should’ve looked away and put everything Miri said out of my mind because it seemed like nonsense.
“He’s teaching him the basics,” Mom said as she motioned toward them when I glanced her way. Had she caught me staring? “What he’s learning now, he’ll be able to use in the future. This was very kind of Wes to come do this.”
So, he’d introduced himself as Wes to my mom as well. I wasn’t sure why this bothered me, but for some reason, it did. Unless there was a more intimate meaning behind it?
I sat down next to my mom, and Nova switched laps. She leaned back against me and rested her head on my collarbone.
“Do you have to go home tomorrow?” she asked, used to me leaving on Sundays whenever I came to visit.
“No, I’m not going home for a bit.”
“Because Mommy is sick?”
Hearing Miri’s daughter say those words made my throat seize. I nodded, unable to find my voice.
“Are you going to live with us?”
With what little voice I had, I said, “I don’t know.”
My mom reached for my hand and squeezed it. I didn’t have the courage to bring this up to Miri, to ask her what would happen to her kids when she was gone. To her house? Her possessions? I would rather die than let her babies go into foster care, but what say would I even have? We weren’t related, and the last time I’d checked, the best friend didn’t have any rights.
“Does Miriam have a will?” my mom asked as we rocked there.
I glanced at my mom, needing her now more than ever, and so thankful she’d dropped everything to come to Miri’s. “I don’t know. I know it’s something we need to talk about and get taken care of. The conversation probably should’ve happened today, but I’m afraid to put it out there, where the universe can run with it.”
“It has to be done,” Mom said. “I can do it if you’d like.”
“No, it needs to be me, I think.” Even though it was the last thing I wanted. Doing so made it feel like Miri’s death was inevitable, that it would be here sooner than anticipated. I didn’t want that. I wasn’t ready and never would be. One, five, or ten years wouldn’t be long enough. I needed her in my life forever.
My arms tightened around Nova as she snuggled deeper into me. My mom got up, disappeared into the house, and then came back with a blanket. She draped it over us and tucked Nova in.
“I thought you were a big girl who didn’t nap?”
“Sometimes, I’m tired,” she said into the crook of my neck. It amazed me that she could fall asleep anywhere. As much as I wanted to keep her for myself, Miri shouldn’t miss out on these moments.
“Come on, let’s go find your mom. I bet she needs some snuggles.” I carried Nova into the house and found Miri where I’d left her. She brightened at the sight of her daughter. “I think this lug belongs to you.”
Nova laughed as I set her down.
“She’s ready for a nap.”
“Me too,” Miri said as Nova rested her head on Miri’s leg.
Instead of watching them, and burning the image into my mind, I stepped back and took a picture of them. Nova would need it for later.
Back outside, I sat next to my mom again and held her hand while we watched Weston and Cutter work. When they needed us to move, we did, and set the rockers up in the yard.
“I’ll stay as long as you and Miri need me.”
“Thanks. I will have to run back to Boston sometime this week and get some things. Maybe I’ll take Miri with me, just so she can get away for the day.”
“Your dad will be up next weekend. I told him about Wes rebuilding the porch, and now he’s concerned with whatever else might be wrong.”
“Everything,” I muttered. “This house is a money pit.”
“We’ll get it fixed up.”