Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“What?” I laugh, thankful that he has changed the subject because I was about to let my eyes wander down that light green crocheted halter top of Rosie’s because she fills it up in the most spectacular of ways.
“At Edge Security,” Cross says. “Every boy in town is talking about how they’re all gonna join up with you guys and let me tell you, they are jealous as all hell that you’re at my house right now.”
Rosie tsks her tongue. “Cross. Watch that mouth.”
But Cross is still focused on me. “So I wanna know if I can join up.” His eyes are intent and filled with a sort of hungry ambition that I’ve only seen on grown men as he waits for my reply.
Rosie doesn’t give me time to answer. “Absolutely not, Cross.” She doesn’t say it mean and there isn’t much reproach in her response, but she is firm. “You won’t be joining up with no elite security outfit because you’ll be in college.”
“College is dumb.” Cross is talking to me, not his mother. “Right, Amon? I mean, you didn’t go to college. You went into the military. Do I have to spend time in the military in order to join your operation?”
“Military!” Rosie is fully paying attention now. “Why, that’s just not in the cards, son. There will be no military.”
“But do I?” Cross asks me again.
“No,” I say before Rosie can lose her shit. “No, you don’t need military experience.” Which is a lie. There is no other way to get the knowledge and background necessary for what we do without a little bit of black ops under your belt. But I know better than to say this in front of Rosie. “You just need to train real hard, be real sensible, stay calm in every sort of situation you can think of, and”—I pause to wink at him—“grow up, of course.”
Cross is with me for all of that until I get to the growing up part. His face twists a little as the words leave my mouth. “Well, I’m twelve now, you know. I’m not a baby no more.”
Rosie sighs, like she’s got a motherly sermon coming, but I interrupt because that’s not what Cross needs to hear right now. “Nah, you’re not a baby, Cross. Of course not. Everyone can see that. But you’re gonna grow… hell… six to eight more inches, maybe? And gain another forty or fifty pounds. You gotta be a full-grown man to join our operation because we do serious things.”
Cross, who has eaten everything on his plate at this point, leans back in his chair with his arms crossed. “Fair. I guess.” But he’s not all that satisfied with my answer. “But”—he holds up a finger—“there’s nothing wrong with training when you’re young. It’s like being in martial arts, right? You start early and go up the levels. That’s all I want. The chance to go up the levels.”
“Can you shoot?” I ask.
“Of course I can shoot. I go huntin’ every year with my friends and their daddies. I’ve gotten loads of turkeys and rabbits and I’m gonna get my first buck this fall, you wait and see.”
“Can you… fight?”
“Amon?” Rosie is looking at me like she wants me to shut up now.
But I don’t shut up because her boy and I are having a serious conversation. “Can you, Cross?”
“I’m joining the wrestling team next year.”
“Good. You should definitely do that. Collin was an athlete when he was your age but I wasn’t in any sports, so it’s not strictly necessary.”
“Yeah, but you were a marine. So you got outside training too, just like Collin.”
“Cross.” Rosie is done with this conversation. “You’re not joining the marines, OK? Just… don’t be in such a rush to make life-changing decisions.”
We’re still ignoring Rosie. “If you want, I’ll take you hunting this year. We’ll practice first. Do some shootin’ out on the Edge range. And we’ll tag that deer together. How’s that sound?”
Finally, this boy smiles. “That sounds great, Amon. Thanks.”
Rosie’s still in mother mode, but the moment his attitude changes, she lets her objections go with a breath. The three of us look at each other for a moment, then Cross’s chair is scraping across the floor and he’s bolting up.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“It’s not dark yet, Mom. I’m meeting up with the boys. I’ll be back when the streetlights come on.” Then he is out the door like a flash.
When Rosie turns back she and I lock eyes. “Thanks, Amon.”
“For what?”
“Settling him like you did. You didn’t have to. And don’t feel obligated to take him hunting.”
“Well, of course I’m obligated. I said I would, so I will.”
“It’s just…” Rosie shrugs up a shoulder. “What if this doesn’t work out? Won’t it be weird?”
“Why wouldn’t it work out?”
“Oh, I dunno. A million things could get in the way. Maybe you don’t like the perfume I wear. Or maybe… you don’t like the way I chew.”