Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.” I smile as I take my first bite. “What would you like to do after?”
He shrugs, which is his usual go-to response. Owen’s an energetic kid, but he has his moments. Lately, hanging out with his friends and playing games on his tablet have become the most important things in his life.
“Wanna play one of your new games that Memaw and Papa got you?”
It was his birthday a few months ago, and my parents got him some board games that we’ve only played a couple times.
He shrugs again.
“What about Pay Day? See if you can beat me this time?” I tease.
I finally get a smile out of him. “Yeah right, but sure.”
We continue eating, and I make a mental list of things I want to do this afternoon. Besides laundry, I need to change our bedding, clean the kitchen and bathrooms, and tidy up before going to the new house. I’ll probably only get a few hours of work in this afternoon when my mom comes over and hangs out with Owen.
“Can we watch a movie?”
I glance at the clock and figure if we spend an hour playing a game and another hour and a half watching a movie, I’ll have time to switch the laundry over between.
“Sure, bud.”
He’s obsessed with Star Wars, so streaming the movies with Disney Plus has been a godsend.
Once we’re done, Owen takes our empty plates and places them into the dishwasher. That’s one of his chores, and I make sure he stays on it. Besides dishes, his other responsibilities include putting his clean clothes away and keeping his room tidy. It’s not always an easy task, but one warning about losing his tablet and he gets it done.
Although being a single parent has had its challenges over the years, there’s nothing more rewarding than being his mom and watching him grow into a kind, sweet young man.
As I’m folding clothes, my phone goes off with a text message, and I smile when I see it’s from Everleigh.
She, Gemma, and I grew up together and have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We’re each other’s ride or die, but as we’ve gotten older, we’ve gotten busy with our lives—having a baby, getting married, opening a business. We may have chosen different paths, but it’s brought us closer together.
Everleigh: Sooo you gonna spill the beans on what happened yesterday, or do I need to bribe you with margaritas and Mexican food?
I snort and curse at whoever told her. Not that I wouldn’t have eventually, but it only means the news about what happened yesterday is already getting around our small town.
Katie: There’s nothing to tell. But drinks and chips and salsa are always a good idea.
Everleigh: Nothing to tell, my flat ass. Let’s talk it out.
I chuckle at the reference to her backside. Everleigh has always been naturally thin, and she got teased for it a lot in school. She didn’t fully develop until the last couple of years of high school.
Katie: You’ll be able to beef up your ass as soon as the gym is open ;)
Everleigh: Don’t change the subject. I’m coming over.
Katie: I’m still at home with Owen. I’ll be at the new house around 3.
Everleigh: Perfect. Better be ready to spill the deets.
Katie: Nothing to spill, but okay. See you then!
I shake my head with a grin as I set down my phone and continue folding Owen’s shirts and jeans. Once my work clothes finish in the dryer, I’ll hang them, then it’ll be time to get ready to go.
My mom arrives at 2:45, just as we’re cleaning up Pay Day. We managed to play for two rounds, but I let Owen win the second time.
“How’s my favorite grandson?” she asks as she sets her bag down and wraps Owen in a hug.
“I’m your only grandchild,” he deadpans.
“That’s because when your mama had you, I just knew you were perfect. There was no need for another.” She flashes me a wink, and I smile.
Owen was six when he started asking about siblings. Several of his classmates talked about theirs, and he wondered why he didn’t have any. It broke my heart to realize he’d probably be an only child like I was. Gabe was too, but he had cousins and lots of friends since he attended a larger school district before he moved to Lawton Ridge. The schools are small here, and Owen has no cousins.
“That’s right,” I interject. “Made perfection the first time around.”
Owen’s less than amused because he knows we’re both taunting him. Considering I spent most of my pregnancy alone, was depressed about my failing marriage, and gave birth shortly after Gabe died, I’ve associated pregnancy with trauma. Aside from the horrific all-day sickness for nine straight months, the fear I felt while having him has also stayed with me.