Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 69582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Fuck, there was that wave of nostalgia again.
I hadn’t had Kraft macaroni and cheese since I’d seen the damn studies on it saying it was toxic.
But a fond smile lifted up the corner of my lips. I’d cooked macaroni and cheese for my mom and dad a lot when I was younger. They’d get off work late, and the only thing I could competently cook for them was that.
I caught a single box up from above Wendy’s head, dropped it into my basket that was getting way heavier as I followed around a five-year-old, and kept walking.
“Constance, seriously.” Wendy groaned animatedly.
I had to hide the damn smile again as I walked down the aisle toward the condiments that I’d originally come down the aisle for.
I needed the good mayo if I was going to make the right kind of sandwich.
After grabbing up some Hellmann’s, I went to the chip aisle.
And this time, I was the first one there as I studied the multitude of brands and types.
I was lifting up the bag of plain Lays when a hand stopped my progress.
Wendy again.
“No, this one,” she spoke eagerly. “They’re spicy pickle.”
She guided my hand to the ones that she liked and I didn’t bother to deny it.
She was doing good with my bad cravings tonight.
“10-4,” I acknowledged. “Thanks.”
She saluted me and headed back to her mom who was at the end of the aisle glaring at me.
I dismissed her and headed for the checkout, getting in line with my least favorite person in town.
Monique English, who couldn’t take no for an answer.
I’d just started being mean to her so she’d hate me, seeing as she couldn’t accept the word “no” that came out of my mouth every time she suggested that I take her out on a date.
Thankfully, she’d finally started to realize I meant it.
Sure, she was beautiful.
But beauty wasn’t enough to make me say yes.
Plus, I just wasn’t sure that I would ever be ready to date again.
Not after my last serious girlfriend, Madalyn, the one that I thought would be my wife one day, had told me to “drop it” when I’d come to her about my fears about Man Wise.
When I wouldn’t drop it, she’d told me that I had to or else.
Her “or else” was actually breaking up with me because her parents were influential and liked the governor. When I’d shown my refusal to follow her rules, she’d broken up with me with a teary “I can’t choose between y’all.”
I’d seen her at a work event months later with another man on her arm.
She hadn’t looked heartbroken at all.
Meanwhile, seeing her with another man had sent a jealous rage through me that had caught me unaware.
From that moment on, I’d sworn off women.
It was easier than dealing with the fallout.
“Why, hello, Odin.” Monique smiled.
I placed my basket on the belt and moved toward the end of the checkout, arms crossed, as I waited for her to check me out.
She spoke, but I didn’t reply.
And when it came time to pay, I did so and left without another word.
I got out to my bike and wondered how the hell I was going to get all my shit home on my bike.
“Rude much?” Constance asked as she came out with her cart and hit the button to open the hatch on her SUV.
I looked over at her. “She doesn’t know the meaning of the word no.”
She snorted. “Sure.”
I waited until Wendy was in the car with the door shut before I said quietly, “Maybe your judgy self wouldn’t understand, anyway.”
I started the bike up with a roar that caused her to flinch.
She glared at me.
I revved it up one more time then headed home, careful not to make any sudden turns so the groceries didn’t go flying.
The SUV Constance was driving left moments after me.
And right when we pulled out into the main road, her high beams turned on and she rode my ass.
The drive home didn’t take me but a few minutes, but for the majority of the time I was smiling.
I fucking hated smiling.
Four
I think I need to quit my job to focus on my laundry.
—Constance to her mother
Constance
I didn’t sleep all that great.
I didn’t know if it was due to me dreading the morning to come or lamenting myself for the thousandth time for stooping down to a third grader’s level.
I couldn’t believe I’d driven behind him with my brights on until he turned into his stupid cute house in the middle of downtown.
I also couldn’t believe that I would have to pass his house every time I came into Sawtooth to grocery shop.
Maybe Bear Pass would get a grocery store soon, and I would never have to go to Sawtooth again.
I pounded my pillow and rolled over to look at my ceiling.
I liked the new house.