Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
I know how much her cousin means to her. This bridge needs to be mended.
“What’s this?” Skittles says.
“I wanted you to see our story for yourself. I’ve captured a lot of it on my camera. I had been making this for us and the kids, but I want you to see,” Shawna says softly.
“I want to see this,” Tak says and moves to sit on the other side of Skittles.
“Okay, where should I begin?” I ask again.
“Start with where it all changed. When did you two become more than friends?” Skittles says as she flips through the album.
I look to her and nod. “Okay. I think you’re right. This will get us to what happened in Greece. You said you want to know about that.”
“Yes, I’ve been waiting to hear that part,” Blake says.
I pull a face and think back. This was when I started to piece my life together the way I wanted it.
Chapter 47
Miss?
Kelex
Three years ago…
I’m nervous as fuck. The kids are meeting Shawna in person today. She’s going to stop by the center and hang with us for the day. There’s a talent show tonight.
True and Cat will be performing. They might just be more nervous than I am. If they don’t like Shawna, I don’t know what the hell to do. Something tells me my grandfather knew this wouldn’t be as easy a task as I thought.
The doorbell rings as I move in circles, trying to figure out what I am going to do. Man, I’m twisted today.
“Hey, did you find my doll?” Vernice comes and asks.
Right, I was looking for Miss Brownie. It’s her favorite doll and she’s not going to leave without her. Shit, the doorbell rings again.
I gave the staff the day. We’ll be gone all day. It didn’t make sense to waste their time.
“Come on,” I say to Vernice and lift her onto my hip.
I start for the door and spot Miss Brownie in the hall. I scoop her up and hand her over to Vernice. She gives me a huge toothless smile.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I wink at her and reach to tug the door open.
I should’ve known it was Jeff. For someone who hated this house and didn’t want me to take in the kids, his ass is always here. Sometimes, I have to wonder if childhood friends are meant to be just that, childhood friends.
Since Pappoús questioned me about my friends I’ve looked at all my relationships differently. In all honesty, sometimes I’m not even sure Jeff likes me.
However, he’s been there when I needed him. He’s had my back whenever it’s been against the wall. That has always outweighed how much of an asshole he can be.
It’s just the way he is. I shake my thoughts off and step back for him to come in. He looks at his watch and frowns. I know we were supposed to be out the door by now.
“Hello, Mr. Jeff,” Vernice sings.
“Hello, Three,” Jeff says.
“Her name is Vernice, bro,” I snap.
“It’s okay. He doesn’t know my name because he doesn’t like me. Newsflash, I don’t like him either,” Vernice deadpans.
Oh yeah, this one takes after me. My bad. I kiss her cheek and place her on her feet. We need to get going.
“Go get ready. We’re leaving soon,” I say.
She takes off for upstairs. I turn to face Jeff with a scowl on my face. I take another moment to think over our friendship. I once told Pit I trusted Jeff with my life. Now I find that, on some subconscious level, I wonder why.
It stands out to me that he can often do or say some questionable things. I’ve always written it off as his entitlement and laughed it off. He’s always been this way.
However, now as I take a deeper look. I don’t think I can place him on my solid friends list without an asterisk.
“She’s seven, bro. Could you try not to be an asshole to her?” I seethe.
“I’m not the one who wanted to be Mary Poppins. Did you not just hear her? That’s no seven-year-old,” he says and shivers.
“Why did you even want to come to this? You clearly don’t like kids.”
“Oh, I like kids. The ones who go home at the end of the day. Besides, it’s a talent show. Come on, I’m going to have so much fun watching them bomb. Your brats will probably be the only ones with talent and that alone is enough to make Uncle Jeff proud.”
“I don’t know whose uncle you think you are,” Vernice says as she reappears with her little purse strapped across her body and Miss Brownie in her embrace.
“Oh, come on, Vern. I have lollipops. You want one?”
“First, my name is Vernice. Not three, not Vern. Vernice. Respect my name, respect my vibe. Second, I don’t take candy from strangers. So no, I don’t want one of your nasty old lollipops.”