Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Honestly, his little ass was so peppy this morning, I probably could’ve sent him to school.” She snorts. “But the rules say he has to be vomit-free for twenty-four hours.”
“And that’s where Zoe came in.”
“Yep.” She nods. “Since she recently made the big decision to attend grad school in Texas next year, she’s been trying to get as many extra hours as she can to save up money.”
“She’s moving to Texas?”
“In the fall.” She frowns. “I’m happy for her, but selfishly, I’m not-so-happy for me. I have no idea what I’m going to do when she moves on and I have to find someone else.”
“It’ll all work out,” I reply encouragingly. If it works out how I’m hoping, I’ll be around to help a hell of a lot more.
I guide Sammy and Dolly toward the subway station, and once we’re on the tram and heading in the direction of Kara’s facility, my phone buzzes in my back pocket with a text message. I release Sammy’s hand to pull it out and check the screen.
Unknown: Noah, I’ve left you two voice mails. Please call me back. I need to see you. This is Ashley, by the way.
I don’t waste any time deleting the message and tuck my phone back into my pocket.
“Something important?” Sammy asks, and I shake my head.
“Not at all.”
The subway’s brakes squeal when it reaches our stop, and I take her hand in mine again, guiding her and Dolly through the doors and up the steps of the station.
“Kara’s place is only half a block from here. It’s called Shay’s,” I update, and Sammy nods while Dolly stays close to my side.
Over the years, my dad tried all sorts of different things, from handling Kara’s care himself to having a home health nurse live permanently at his house, but nothing made my sister as happy as living at Shay’s. Now, with Mary facilitating her care even further, I feel like she’s finally living the life she deserves.
“This is it,” I announce and lead Sammy into the building. Her eyes are wide as she takes in the massive fountain in the lobby and the crown molding at the tops of the walls.
“Noah, this is really nice,” she states on a whisper, glancing up at me with a smile.
“Yeah. My sister loves it here,” I comment and squeeze her hand gently.
The check-in process is smooth as always with the security guard Reggie, and as we approach Kara’s door, Mary is stepping out into the hallway with a bag of checkers.
“Ooh, Noah!” she greets eagerly, stepping up to pull me into a hug. “Kara’s going to be so excited you and Dolly are here. And a new friend! Shoo!” She laughs. “She’s still going to be talking about this at dinner.” She turns to Sammy directly to remark, “It’s nice to see you again, honey.”
“Thanks, Mary. It’s nice to see you again too.” Sammy’s nerves are obvious in the shake of her voice and the slouched shape of her spine, but Mary grabs her hand and squeezes.
“Don’t worry, doll. Kara is going to love you.”
I think so too. Kara can be shy around new people and even wary of them, but I don’t doubt for a second that she’ll feel just how much Sammy means to me and be right at ease.
Mary leaves us with a smile and a wave, headed back to the employee area, and Sammy and I step inside the room to my sister sitting on her little pink sofa. She’s wearing a pretty smocked dress, covered in watermelons—her favorite fruit.
As soon as she sees me, she cries out, “Oooah!”
My smile is big, and my grip on Sammy’s hand is tight as I pull her forward with me. “Hey, Kare Bear.”
Kara smiles and twists her body with excitement as I approach, pulling me down into a crushing hug that nearly knocks my feet out from under me. Sammy grabs Dolly’s leash and steps to the side, and I glance over at her gratefully.
“Oh wow, sis. You really are happy to see me, huh?”
Kara kisses at my cheeks sloppily, and I chuckle at her enthusiasm. It’s a good two minutes before I can free myself from her clutches, but Sammy waits patiently the whole time.
I step back and straighten my stretched shirt and take the leash back from Sammy just as Dolly jumps up to put her paws in Kara’s lap, licking her cheeks with affection. Kara laughs and laughs and wiggles back and forth on the couch like you might expect a toddler would while being kissed by their favorite pet.
Dolly slides off her lap and comes back over to my side, and I take the opportunity to introduce Sammy. “Kara, sweetie, this is my friend Sammy. I’m really fond of her, and I know you will be too.”