Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
SEVEN
Ezra
I hear the door to the elevator ding, sliding open, and then closing. My head tips back against my office chair, struggling if I should have hung up the emergency phone call my mother just hit me with as soon as my ass met the chair.
“Don’t stress out, boys. It’s only a small bruise to my head. I’m only calling you and Parker as a courtesy,” Mom says on our three-way call I wonder who taught her how to use that capability. I’m sure it was someone at the church daycare where she works.
“I swear to God, between you and Vanessa, I’m never going to breathe fully again. Tell us again what happened,” Parker demands.
“I’m not stressed. Concerned and worried are the words that come to mind.” Which I am. She lives in a different part of New York than where we are, refusing to leave the area and move closer. No matter how much we ask, offer, or bug her, she refuses to. Stubborn through and through and independent a mile long. Parker chose a woman like Krista in every way, shape, and form. It seems I may have as well if I can fix us that is.
“Whatever. I’m not stupid. If I so much as scratch my arm, the two of you are ready to take apart whatever table I bumped into. This was all on me. I was making a bottle for the nursery, didn’t close the overhead cabinet after I dropped something, and when I stood up, I hit the corner of it, and it didn’t move back. A few staples, a day or two rest, and I’ll be good as news,” she says like this isn’t a big deal.
“Excuse me? Did you say staples? Jesus, Mom, we’re on our way. You’re coming back with either me or Ezra, your choice, but it’s happening,” Parker demands. That’s going to fly over like a turd in a punch bowl, in five, four, three, two, and one.
“Parker Matthew Hudson, that is enough. I’m staying home. If you three want to come up this weekend, I’d love that. Now, Ezra, talk to me. You’re never silent, and you are this morning.” I’m upset, not only with Mom and the situation, because I’m not stupid, and neither is Parker. She more than likely has a concussion. What other reason would she rest at home for, at her own will?
“I’m fine. Are you going to tell us everything, or am I going to have to resort to bribing your doctor or hacking into the hospital’s data base?” Mom laughs, then whines in pain.
“Parker, Hudson, neither of you are doing anything of the sort, okay? I’m under concussion protocol, but that’s more for workman’s comp than anything else. I’ll call if I start to feel off,” she’s appeasing us, plain and simple. Parker is already letting out a breath of air, pacified by what she’s saying. “Plus, I am not going to be a third wheel in your house, and I’m not stupid, Ezra Hudson; you’re quieter, not joking around like your usual self. I’ll give you today to collect your thoughts. After that, I’m in full mamma bear mode, you hear me?”
“Yes, Mother,” I chuckle, even though it’s dry as a bone. Between Mom and Millie, my mind is fucked.
“Yeah, Ezra, when are you going to tell Mom about the girl in your life?” Parker tacks on. “Payback’s a bitch, baby brother.” He’s older than me by a few months, the cocksucker.
“Well, considering she’s no longer here, there may not be much to say, and yeah, we’ll see about who’s paying whom back when I have your ass in the ring.” Admitting that to these two is only going to fuel their fire.
“Ezra, stop cussing. Parker, quit instigating. On that note, I’m getting off the phone. We all know you boys can track my whereabouts down, so do that. I’m going home. Seems the only person I’ll be listening to is a handsome older doctor, and yes, I gave him my number. Love you boys.” The phone clicks, leaving Parker and me on the line.
“Did she just say what I think she did?” Parker asks.
“Fuck, I need coffee or whisky, maybe both, and yeah, it seems Mom is finally putting herself on the market. “I wish the dude good luck. Between the two of us and mom, the guy may run for the hills before the first date is over,” I reply.
“You’re not wrong. Care to figure out who her doctor is and do a little digging?” We both have a guy on hand for this. My hacking days are over for the most part, The government doesn’t take too kindly to that type of thing. When you’re a teenager and under the age of eighteen, sure, but at my age, there’s too much to lose.