Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72280 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72280 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“He’s here,” she said.
“All we can really do is a salad,” I said.
She ignored my comment. “I mean, he’s actually here. With Ana. In his arms.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
I bent down and started grabbing vegetables. I threw them on the counter so I could get to chopping, throwing everything into a massive bowl. I opened up the freezer and pulled out a microwavable package of grilled chicken, inwardly groaning at the fact that I’d be feeding this rich man microwavable chicken.
He had tasted the delicacies of the world and now he’d have to choke down my pathetic salad.
“Aren’t you scared he’ll take her away or something?” Cassie asked.
“Nope,” I said. “He just wanted to meet his daughter. I had to give him that.”
“Oh, you just had to. Right. Gotcha. You want me to throw this in the microwave?”
“No, I want you to set it in there, set the timer for five minutes, and let it cook.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” she said sarcastically.
“If you hadn’t burned soup, I wouldn’t feel the need to tell you how to microwave chicken,” I said, grinning.
I saw Cassie taking glimpses of Camillo, with Ana in his arms, while Kevin slowly made his way toward them. Kevin didn’t trust anyone. He didn’t make friends easily at school and he kept to himself. I tried to get him to open up and even invite kids from school over, but he never did.
So, the fact that he was approaching Camillo was a massive deal.
“Holy shit, Rose. Kevin just sat down beside him.”
“Are you serious?” I asked.
I tossed the rest of the lettuce into the bowl before I poked my head around the corner. Kevin was staring warily at Camillo, who was now bouncing Ana on his chest. He leaned back into the couch and Ana was jumping up and down on him like he was some sort of trampoline or couch cushion.
And all the while, Kevin was slowly scooting closer to him.
“How the hell did he find you?” Cassie asked.
“If I told you, I’m not sure you’d believe me,” I said. “Let’s just say he lives around here now.”
“So he moved here for you,” she said. “Why the hell else would someone want to live in the Poconos?”
“For the skiing?”
“Look at him. Does that beard and those muscles look like someone who skis regularly?”
Camillo was watching Kevin out of the corner of his eye but he made no move toward my brother. I had considered the fact that this man wanted Ana. I had considered the fact that he might take her and I’d never find her again. But the moment I saw his eyes light up with love for her, that same innate trust I’d felt for him years ago came rushing back. Despite the rumors of his ties to the mob and despite the warning his note had left for me, I knew he would never hurt me.
I knew he would never hurt his daughter.
I threw the rest of the cut-up vegetables into the bowl just as the microwave went off. I dumped the chicken on top of the salad and covered it in mandarin oranges while Cassie set our small table to hold five. I pulled out juices and sodas we could all drink and put them in the middle of the table, then I dished up salad for everyone’s plate while Cassie grabbed the salad dressings. We danced around one another, stealing peaks of Camillo in the living room while we did so.
“Whenever you guys are ready, dinner’s on!” I called out.
“Five more minutes?” Kevin called out.
“The chicken’s gonna be cold by then,” I said as I walked into the living room. “What’s taking you—”
I saw that Kevin had the television on, with Minecraft going on the screen. He was showing Camillo all the things he had created and was in the middle of trying to blow something up. Ana was curled into the crook of her father’s neck, her little eyes fluttering open and closed while she breathed against his chest. Kevin was talking Camillo through the game and he seemed to be listening intently, his eyes dancing across the screen while he watched Kevin pull out all the stops for his own entertainment.
The scene brought tears of shock to my eyes as I watched my brother interact fluidly with this stranger.
“Five more minutes,” I said. “Then, it’s dinner time.”
“Okay,” Kevin said.
“I’ll start the countdown,” Camillo said.
My eyes connected with his as a tear dripped down my face. His eyes grew stern, studying me as I turned back and headed for the kitchen. I was overwhelmed by the sensations I was experiencing. Overwhelmed by all the emotions that were flooding my chest.
My hands were trembling as I counted the minutes down on the microwave clock. I heard Kevin laughing while Camillo kept asking questions and, soon, Ana’s small little snores could be heard all the way into the kitchen. Just before I was about to call out the fact that five minutes was up, I heard Camillo talking quietly with Kevin.