Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Of course, she didn’t leave because of work, but because of her friends being in an accident, and that is something I can’t contend with. I would’ve done the same, although, after the other night at Buck’s, I’m very selective with who gets my time now.
As I look out the window, I decide that is where I need to be. Working with my hands, manual labor, anything to get my mind off Zara not being here.
“I’m fixin' to go work in the barn,” I tell the girls. They both pick up their heads and offer me a sad smile. I have no doubt mine matches theirs. “Zara will be back. Her friends were in an accident, and it’s no different if your Uncle Buck was in one. We’d do the same thing.”
“We could always go see her. Maybe she’ll need us if. . .” Stormy trails off with her mother’s death still fresh in her mind. Hearing her now reminds me that I promised myself the girls would get therapy. I’ve been so caught up with Zara and getting the girls back here that I’ve let them down in that way.
“Do you want to talk to someone about your mom?” I ask them both. Stormy shakes her head while Willow shrugs. “Tell me what you’re thinkin’,” I plead.
“It’s just. . . she really wasn’t much of a mother,” Stormy says.
“We couldn’t call her Mommy,” Willow adds. Both statements stab me straight into the heart because I could’ve prevented this. I was stupid enough to believe that they’d be okay living with Iris.
“How come you never told me?”
“I thought you would take away my dancing, so I asked Willow not to say anything.” Stormy looks ashamed. Part of her should be, but I’m certain that her mother fed her a great amount of bullshit.
“I would never take away something that makes you happy, Stormy. Ever.” I make sure to look at both girls, so they know that I’m telling them the truth. I may not like the dancing, but Stormy does, and because of that, I will support her. “You girls are the most important. . . well, everything in my life. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. That is why I let Willow go to California, so you’d have your sister, Stormy. Hell, even letting you go was hard, but I did it because it’s what you wanted.”
Stormy leans into me and gives me a hug. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you girls.”
“Anything?” Willow asks. Her eyes go wide with excitement.
“Well almost anything,” I say, only to watch her face fall. “What do you want, Willow?”
“A puppy!” she bats her eyelashes.
“Yes, oh my God, Daddy, can we please get one?” Stormy begs.
I act as if I’m standoffish, making faces at them to lead them astray. They clasp their hands together, jut out their lower lips, and continue to flutter their long eyelashes at me. I’m a sucker, and they know it.
“Okay, fine. We can get a puppy, but. . .”
“Anything,” Stormy says enthusiastically.
“No, not anything,” Willow adds. “I won’t pick up poop!” She rolls her eyes in the most dramatic way, causing me to laugh.
“First, we find one that has been left at a shelter. Second, he or she goes to training. Third, all of us care for the puppy. Fourth, said puppy is not allowed on the furniture. If you want to hold or cuddle, you’ll have to sit on the floor.”
The girls look at each other as if they’re contemplating my ground rules. They’re non-negotiable. I refuse to be kicked off my couch by a dog.
“Okay,” they both say in unison.
“Okay. Stormy, you get online and look at the shelters. Decide together. I’m going to go work in the barn for a bit.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Stormy stands and hugs me, with Willow following suit.
I’ve always wanted a dog, but it didn’t seem right with all the traveling I have to do. Now that the girls are home for good, my tour will be less and less and will have to be scheduled around their schooling. I won’t be like Iris and put myself before them. If anything, her death has taught me how to be a better dad.
Outside, the sun is still blazing, and for some odd reason, I look up to the sky as a plane flies overhead. It’s not like it’s the plane Zara is on, but something told me I needed to look. Which in hindsight is a good thing because Buck just pulled into my driveway.
Thankfully, he’s alone. Not that I mind if Lori comes over, but usually Maylene is with Lori and I don’t have anything kind to say to her right now.
“’Sup, shit stain?” he says as he walks toward me.
“Not much, just about to head to the barn.”