Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Don’t be a pain in the ass.” He tosses his pants toward his closet. “I have the biggest headache.”
“I bet,” I mumble. “For today, we can pretend it’s all shits and giggles,” I say to his retreating back as he walks into the bathroom, “but I’d like to have a conversation with you.”
“About?” he asks over his shoulder. “I really have to focus on my training.” He mentions his off-ice training that he should be doing but isn’t putting effort into it.
“Well, I’m sure you can spare me a couple of minutes,” I throw over my shoulder, walking out of the bedroom and closing the door.
Walking down to the kitchen, I find the caterer setting up. “Hi,” I say as I make my way to the backyard, where it’s being transformed into a carnival-themed birthday party. They are setting up the blow-up bouncy houses next to the popcorn stand.
“Mommy,” Luna says, running to me, “they brought a pony.” When she tells me, my eyes go big, and I smile.
“Grandma says I get a turn first because it’s my special day.” She jumps up and down, and all I can do is smile at her. Nothing is going to ruin her day.
Benji comes out thirty minutes later, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, his hair still wet from the shower. His bloodshot eyes are now clear thanks to either his eye drops or who knows what else. He stops beside me for a second. “Hey,” he says, kissing my cheek as if nothing was just said before. As if he didn’t come home after God knows what. “This is nice. Where is the birthday girl?” He looks around and walks away from me in Luna’s direction.
“He looks good, right?” I look to my right, where my father-in-law watches Benji tickle a squealing Luna.
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” I say before being called inside about something. I don’t get a chance to say anything else because guests start arriving.
For the whole afternoon, we both pretend that our life isn’t falling apart. Or at least I’m pretending. I’ll do what I need to do to make sure my girl has the best birthday.
Even when the cake comes out, and we stand behind it with the girls in front of us, we pose for pictures like we’ve done a thousand times before. His hand is around my waist, but I put one hand on each girl's shoulder instead of around him.
Guests stay way after the kids’ bedtime. When I finally walk upstairs with Luna sleeping on my shoulder, Rain trails me. “Go put your pj’s on,” I tell her as I walk into Luna’s room, taking off her shoes. I just let her sleep in the shorts and T-shirt she changed into when she got soaking wet after accidentally turning on the hose to help the pony get a drink of water.
Closing Luna’s door softly behind me and walking into Rain’s room, I see Benji walking into the house at the same time. “I’m going to go for a drive.” He looks up at me and walks out the front door, closing it softly behind him.
I tuck Rain in before walking back to my bedroom and getting ready for bed. I’m so tired I fall asleep within a couple of minutes.
I’m the first to wake up the following morning, seeing it’s just a bit after seven. I slide my slippers on and go to make myself a coffee before everyone wakes up. Seeing Benji on the couch again, I roll my eyes, going over to him. His skin looks so pale, and when I get closer to him, I know something is wrong. I bend down and shake him, but his body feels stiff and cold to the touch. “Benji!” I shout his name while the back of my neck feels like it’s on fire. Even the follicles on my head are hot and tingly. “Benji!” I yell again, my voice more frantic as I try to nudge his shoulder. “Oh my God. Oh my God.” I put my hand to my mouth at the same time I hear footsteps on the stairs. My fear turns to panic as I run out of the room and meet Luna at the bottom of the stairs. “Go upstairs,” I urge her, and she just whines.
“I’m hungry.” I don’t wait to answer her before I pick her up and run up the stairs. On the way to my bedroom, I see Rain come out of hers. “Don’t go downstairs!” I shriek. “Come in my bedroom, now.” I don’t wait for her to come to me. Instead, I walk to her and grab her hand by the wrist and drag her with us into my room. The tears are now freely running down my face. I put Luna down on her feet, closing the bedroom door behind me and standing in front of it. “Go get me my phone.” I point at my bedside table, the girls looking at me with fear. “Rain,” I say to her, “please go and get me my phone right now.”