Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
“Not now, Josh. Okay?” Right when I finish saying that, my video chat call goes. “Shit,” I mumble under my breath. Everything wants to come out in the open today. I know it is my sisters; I video chat no one else. I should ignore it, but I also don’t want them to worry since I haven't talked to them and told them I have someone with me. So, I answer it.
“It's about time. How are you? Are you okay? You haven’t been kidnapped?” I am trying to keep a straight face, but between the confused face Joshua has beside me, and the ridiculous questions from them, I can’t help myself. I burst out laughing before January gets the upset look on her face and then I stop. She cries at the drop of a hat, and I don't want to be one of the reasons she is sad.
“Hey ladies. I am fine. I dropped Junie off, remind me to give you my grandfather's number so you can call and talk to her. She would love to hear from her aunties.”
“Oh yeah. I love talking to that girl. She is a riot.” February says, smiling fondly. Beside me, I hear Joshua whisper, aunties?
“Whose that?” January asks with her supersonic ears. She looks ridiculous cocking her head to the side like she is peeking around a corner or something. Sighing, I roll my eyes and turn the phone toward Joshua.
“January, February, this is Joshua. Joshua, these are my sisters.” His eyebrows raise to the top of his head, and I get it. But right now is not the time.
“Wait, is he thee Josh? How did this happen?” Oh, brother. I need to end this.
“All in due time, ladies. Listen, we just pulled up to Mr. Clifton’s in Missoula. I promise I will call you later.” They both look at me like they don’t believe me, but we hang up. I can hear the questions in his head, but I just get out of the car. I hear the other door close and toward him.
“I am coming this time, baby.” He holds his hand out for me to take, and without thinking about it, as natural as being in his arms, I put my hand in his and walk to the door. There is no doorbell, so I knock, and we step back. I look at Josh and drop my eyes in sadness before looking back at him.
“Well, now you get to see.” He opens his mouth to speak, but the door begins to open. An older gentleman with obvious sight issues walks to the door.
“Hello?!”
“Mr. Clifton. Hi. My name is March. I was wondering if you had a second to talk?” he chuckles and shakes his head.
“Child I have nothing but minutes, nowadays. You have to excuse me not inviting you in, but due to the non-capacity to see, I don’t let people I don't know into my home.”
“Oh, I understand. This won’t take long. I was just wondering if you donated a sample before you enlisted?”
“Oh, my dear, I wish I had. Not too long after I enlisted I lost my sight due to a bomb. I never had a chance to have a family after that.” My heart breaks for him.
“Well, I am so sorry to have bothered you. You have a great day.” When we make it back to the truck, Josh takes a deep breath.
“What the hell is going on, March. Do you think I have a right to know now?”
“Yeah. I think it is time I tell you everything.” I just hope he still wants me after I tell him what I allowed my mom to convince me of. I am done fighting what I feel. God and everyone knows I am still in love with him, and now that he is back in my life and has been back inside of me, I don’t think I could live through him leaving again. I take a deep breath and tell him my story.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
JOSHUA
Her story shocks the hell out of me. She’s the product of artificial insemination and has been searching for her birth father this whole time. She also has two sisters she didn’t know she had. If I was a betting man, which I’m not, I’d bet that there are more siblings out there. The letter her donor left as the world’s vaguest clue is a trip. Having all these potential mothers names their daughters after months is interesting as hell. I hate to say this but it kind of makes since that her mom had to go this route, she’s a dumpster fire.
“I’m going to help you with this list. How many more are on it?” I ask, interested in knowing more about this.
“What? Oh, two. Why?” she asks looking at me like I’m crazy.