Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
“That’ll suffice for an apology. Now, I’d stick around and grill you, but I have places to be. And Mom will have all the information in no time, if not by you or by the gossipers, we have a built-in hotline distribution line in our very own back pocket.” Kara shoots a wink at Nellie. My girl gives a little head nod, answering her aunt, and I’m once again reminded that I’m overruled by the women in my life.
“You good?” I ask, noticing the light wince when she bends down to give Nellie a hug. I didn’t see it yesterday, which probably means Kara let Nellie sleep in her bed, getting kicked in the side while she tossed and turned and inherently getting smacked in the face when Nellie flailed around. My girl is a mover in her sleep, which is the reason why, when she crawls into my bed, the minute she falls asleep, I move to the couch. I’ve woken up to a kick in the jaw before with how much she gets around.
“Yeah, overdid it this week.” I hold my hand out for hers, helping her stand up and steady herself.
I don’t respond, choosing not to start an argument, one that would make her feel like a child that needs to be taken care of, when in fact, she’s nearly thirty years old and can do a fuck of a lot on her own.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.”
“You don’t have to. You can literally watch me leave from here.”
“Old habits are hard to break.” I shrug my shoulders, used to taking care of her even more so since the accident, but she’s right.
“For you and Dad both.” We hug one another, and I wait until she’s in her car and safely out of the parking lot.
“Can I hang out down here, Daddy?” Nellie asks once Kara is off and down the road. I’ve got Sable’s keys in my hand, and although it’s technically a Sunday, meaning the shop is closed, there isn’t much else to do. Nellie likes to do her arts and crafts on her own without my fat fingers in the mix.
“Sure. You mind if I work on a car for a little while?” It isn’t completely out of the norm for me to work on my day off. I try not to do it, and I also didn’t think Nellie would be home as early as she is. She must have wanted to be home, which is weird since my parents' place may as well be hers, too, she has a whole room and playroom set up there.
“Nope.” I follow her to the table the guys use when we’re taking a break. I clean it up every day, especially with our hands being covered in grease. Nellie plops down in her seat, and I put the bags near her, having no idea what she’ll go after first.
“You need anything before I pull the car on the lift?” She gives me a quick shake of her head, and I do one better. In no time at all, Nellie will ask for a drink or a snack, and since I keep a fridge down here, it takes the least amount of effort to grab her a juice box, dye-free, made from real fruit, and a similar kind of snack. If I’d known she’d be home this early, I’d have brought down her favorite concoction: strawberries and kiwis drizzled with a light layer of honey and granola on the side.
“Thank you.” She beams at me with a smile. I bend down to kiss the crown of her head and go about my task. I take Sable’s keys out of my pocket and swirl them around my finger, noticing the keychain for the first time. A metal goose, white in color, orange on the bill, and in script it says, Silly Goose on the Loose.
“What a goof.” I press the button, the car unlocks, and I open the door. The seat is so damn close to the steering wheel that my knees would hit the dash, that’s if I could even get in the thing in the first place. I’m not taking a chance. I press the lever until the seat is all the way back, fold myself inside, and put the keys in the ignition. I watch the dash as I turn the car on, looking at the gauges before reversing it out of the spot. My daughter is inside the shop, so I’m on high fucking alert.
I don’t breathe a sigh of relief until I’m parked in the garage bay, the car is safely turned off, and Nellie is still where I left her.
“You good, Nellie girl?” I ask once I’m out of the vehicle and walking around to place the lift pads beneath the frame.