Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Wardell’s frame leans a little closer to mine on a suspicious eyebrow lift. “A superpower?”
“Understanding that people are all very different as well as all the same is basically Professor Xavier level of intelligence.”
Stop looking at me like that. You know I read comic books! More importantly, they’re like the universal language for the youth. It makes my helping the after-school age kids so much easier.
He hums to himself before asking, “How?”
“Think about it. You can’t run the X-Men, which deals with mutants and humans, if you don’t understand their differences and what they have in common. Being able to process that having a tail or being blue doesn’t mean a being can’t laugh or love or celebrate their birthday is one reason Professor Xavier is a great leader. He can look past their physical characteristics, which might deter others and treat them the way they deserve to be treated.”
His expression transitions to one of thought.
“Learning about other cultures can be treated in the same nature. No, they’re not mutants for having different upbringings or religions or beliefs than you, but the world has a habit of treating one another’s differences that way rather than embracing and understanding that they’re just people too. That they live and laugh and love and celebrate important stuff just like you do.”
“Just not always the same stuff.”
“Exactly.”
“Like…I don’t celebrate Three Kings Day and maybe they don’t celebrate nochebuena.”
“You got it!”
Wardell happily nods, sits up straight, and resumes his previous scrolling. “I think I’ll report on the way they celebrate it in Puerto Rico. It’s weird.” There’s no time to shoot him a scolding stare. “But so fresh.”
What the hell am I supposed to say to that?! And why fresh? Why are we bringing that back as a thing?!
A small pat of encouragement on the back is given just as Jai requests help pronouncing one of the bigger words in her reading assignment.
I still love what I do so, so much. Even working with the older kids. And what’s funny is when my oldest comes in for assistance, I’ve learned she’s not really looking for help. It’s because she misses me or in some cases wants to be like me. She loves helping the younger kids find books or read books, her sister included. Henz on the other hand isn’t always the best about sharing my time with non-family members. She may be shy in gatherings but her death glare? Unmissable.
The end of my workday wraps up smoothly and getting my girls from their respective classrooms is also easily done.
Once everyone is buckled and settled with books in their laps – the preferred way we travel – I swipe their father’s name on my phone, figuring we should swing by and say hi before heading to my parents for dinner.
He’s been working really late every night for over a week, coming home long after the girls and I are asleep. While they see him for breakfast in the mornings, it’s typically pretty brief. I honestly don’t know who hates this whole holiday schedule more nowadays, him or them. The only reason I’m out of the running is because I’ve done the retail holiday wife thing for a few years. I’m…used to it. Mostly.
Getting Archer’s voicemail immediately on his cell prompts me to calling his office line instead.
To no surprise, it only rings once, the most Kelby aims to let it. “Thank you for calling Harry’s Hardware Corporate. This is Kelby Flores speaking. How may I direct your call?”
“Evening, Kel,” I warmly greet.
“Hi Kel Kel!” my daughters echo in the background.
“Hey!” She cheerfully states back. “All of Archer’s favorite girls on the same call? To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We’re gonna swing by and drop him off dinner since he’s been so swamped lately, but I wasn’t sure what he would be in the mood for, so I was calling to ask. I can’t remember if he had Thai last night. Or meatloaf. Or just ate leftover alfredo when he got in.” Adjusting my grip on the phone is done to wave goodbye to Presley and her kiddos. “He didn’t answer – no shocker there – which is what has me calling you, hopefully only momentarily stopping your escape from the office.”
Kelby lightly laughs. “Unfortunately, I’ve got another hour here.”
“They got you working late, too?”
“I don’t know about too…” she slowly begins, “but I definitely am. I don’t mind the overtime pay, though. That vacation to Aruba with Kyle isn’t gonna pay for itself.”
Her word choice has an uncomfortable feeling stirring in my stomach. “Archer hasn’t been working late?”
“Not to my knowledge,” Kelby thoughtlessly retorts. “Then again, I could be wrong. He could be having super, secret, corporate meetings that are in all actuality blood sacrifice rituals for the vampire allegiance they’re trying to maintain.”
“I see you’re enjoying the novel we got you for Christmas.”