Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 135522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
“An idea?”
“Yep, crazy one. I already got approval from the mayor.” She makes a snorting sound. “Get it? ‘Cause the mayor’s me? Gosh, I’ll never get used to sayin’ that. Anyway, you got plans tonight? How ‘bout you come on over ‘round eight? I’m havin’ a few friends stop by for finger foods and I want to talk to you about my crazy idea.”
I blink. “Oh. Tonight as in … tonight-tonight?”
“What other kind of tonight is there, babe? Don’t gotta bring nothin’ but your cute, perfect tush. And also, as mayor, I officially declare you ain’t allowed to say ‘no’ to me, not ever.”
“Nadine …”
“That’s Mayor Nadine to you.” She chuckles. “Well, just for the purposes of this call. Gotta exert my authority when it’s necessary. Now will I see you tonight on my doorstep at eight? This is a test.”
I take a breath. “Yes. I’ll be there.”
“Good. Come hungry. But not too hungry. Did I mention the finger foods part? See you then!” She hangs up.
I pocket my phone, then stare down at the calendar my mom left here on the kitchen counter. Circled on next Tuesday is my parents’ anniversary. I wonder if that’s what she was looking for.
Not that they’ve had much to celebrate for a while. The two of them hardly ever see each other. My dad’s always at work, busying himself with more jobs than he can juggle. My mom goes through wine like Kleenex and seems interested in doing nothing. This is the side of my family no one sees. This is the part of my life no one knows: the harsh reality of the Harding family and its ever-so-tentative existence.
I wonder if Noah’s mom knew anything about this. After all, what else did the women talk about during all of those afternoons when Noah and I sat in our backyards pretending to play?
I stand outside my mom’s bedroom door. “You okay? Mom?” I give the door a gentle knock, then poke my head in. She’s lying on the bed with the TV on, a game show playing. The sound of the cheerful host and applause contrasts strangely with my mother’s melancholy. “Sounds like I’ve been invited over to the Strongs’ for a little thing tonight. Nadine wanted to run some kind of idea past me. No idea what it is. Want to come? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. We can also still go down to the festival right now if you wanted.”
My mom rolls onto her back and offers me a sleepy-looking smile. “That sounds nice. Have a fun time, alright? I’ve got plans of my own tonight with … with a …” She wipes a hand over her face, rubs her eyes. “… a friend,” she finishes blandly. “Can you tell Nan I ordered the, um, thing she wanted? For her garden?”
I don’t think she has any plans with any friend. But I smile at her anyway and nod. “Sure thing, Mom.”
“Look after that arm. Please. You have to be more careful.”
“I will.”
“Don’t be reckless like your dad. Being a big hero is nice and all, but at what cost?” Her attention is pulled back to the TV when the audience cheers at something. She rolls over to watch it, her eyes listless and far away, but momentarily sparked with interest. Maybe it’s the joy in watching others win prizes. Maybe she likes to imagine she’s one of them, walking onto the big stage to guess a number, or pick a door, or toss a ball at a target, winning the top prize and earning the audience’s roaring cheers.
I come up to the bed and kiss her on the forehead. “Love you, Mom.” She gives me a tiny smile and squeezes my hand with little strength, her eyes glued to the TV. I leave her door a crack open when I go, lingering for a moment before finally leaving her be.
It’s exactly eight on the dot when I’ve made the drive out to the farmlands and pull up to the front of the Strong residence. The sun has long since set to allow the stars to shine brightly out here in the Spruce, Texas countryside. At this time of night, the Strong ranch glows from the inside with warm light spilling out from its gaping windows. I’m greeted at the front door by Nadine herself, a slender yet busty woman with larger-than-life hair and big hoop earrings, radiating with energy that could combat a power plant. She howls upon seeing me and ushers me right in, where I’m met by her husband Paul, a quiet yet sociable man with bright eyes, as well as her older son Tanner and his husband Billy. The former-football-player-turned-high-school-coach Tanner and his sweet-eyed professional business-owner dessert-chef husband Billy are the staple couple in town. They’re as handsome as can be, wearing matching jeans and red flannel shirts, though Billy’s is orange in hue. In the living room sit their two sons Marcus and Joshua, who appear to be content playing Xbox on the enormous living room TV. The adults are gathered in the kitchen and dining room area, where all of the promised finger foods are on display. I had put on a light denim jacket before leaving the house so as to keep my unsightly bandages out of sight. I guess it does the trick, as I’m mercifully not asked once about my arm.