Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“Why the hard time?”
“Because my oldest baby is leaving me, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for him to go.”
“He’s not leaving you, Frankie. He’s going to be here all summer, and even when he goes to college, he’s just going to MTSU. He’ll be like thirty minutes away.”
She stepped out of the bushes as she said, “He’s still leaving.”
“He’ll be back.” I cocked my eyebrow as I told her, “Didn’t know you still had a stash.”
“Momma,” Jackson cried as he extended his hands towards Frankie.
“I didn’t either until I went and looked, but don’t worry. It was my last one.” She took him into her arms and smiled. “Well, don’t you both look handsome.”
“I think we cleaned up pretty well.”
“That you did.” When she started back towards the garage, she asked, “You talk to your mother? Are she and Madden going to make it today?”
“Already told ya not to get your hopes up about that.”
“I know, and I haven’t. I just wanted to be sure she knew we wanted her to be there.”
“I called her and told her all about it. She said she’d try, which you know means she isn’t gonna make it.” I shrugged. “Madden has to take one of the kids to some birthday party, so they aren’t coming either. But Menace and Rafe are coming. Pretty sure Country is, too.”
“That’s awfully sweet of them.” When we got back inside, she handed Jackson back over to me and said, “Let me grab my purse, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Okay. I’ll let Sean and Corry know it’s time to go.”
We got the boys loaded up and headed over to the high school for graduation. Just as I’d expected, Mom didn’t make it. Marc and his better half were there, but sat off to their own, making sure to keep their distance. I was pleased to see that Menace and Rafe showed up with Country in tow. Even Doc and Hawk tagged along with Marlowe and Remington. They’d all come to show their support, and it meant the world to us both, especially me. Frankie was a crying, blubbering mess all through the graduation proceedings. I don’t know what I would’ve done if Marlowe and Remington hadn’t been there to console her.
I’d tried to ease her mind about Corry going off, but I hadn’t been able to get through to her like they had. She wiped away her tears and was actually smiling when Corry stepped up on the stage and took his diploma. We all clapped and cheered, calling out his name like he’d just won the fucking lottery. I had no doubt we’d embarrassed the hell out of him, but he knew we were there, and we loved him. That’s all that really mattered. When the graduation was over, Corry came rushing over to us. As soon as he’d said a polite but brief thank you to everyone for coming, he turned to Frankie and said, “Sean and I are heading over to Joseph’s. We’re gonna eat there, and then, I’m heading to Emma Grace’s house for the graduation party. I’ll drop Sean off on my way over.”
“So, y’all aren’t going to eat with us?”
“Come on, Mom. We can eat with y’all any time.”
“But this is your special day.”
“Yeah, I know.” He shrugged and smiled as he told her, “That means we can go, right?”
“Yeah, but you both owe me a dinner tomorrow night.”
“Sure thing.” He gave her a big hug then said, “I’ll be home by one.”
“By twelve-thirty, Corry.”
“Fine. Twelve-thirty.”
He was about to turn to leave when I called out to him, “Corry?”
“Yeah?”
“Remember the rules,” I ordered.
“I know. No drinking and driving.” He smiled as he said, “You might wanna make sure you keep your phone on tonight.”
We knew there would be times when they’d find themselves in a predicament, so I told them I would pick them up anywhere and at any time of night without any questions. All they had to do was call. I gave him a nod as I said, “I definitely will. You just be careful.”
“Will do.” He stopped and studied me for a moment, then walked over and wrapped his arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, Ro. Thank you for everything.”
Before I had a chance to respond, he let go and ran off to join his buddies. I stood there for a second, trying to swallow the knot that had formed in my throat. Frankie slipped her arm around my waist as she whispered, “The boys are very lucky to have you.”
I looked down at her and Jackson, and my chest tightened as I told her, “I’m the lucky one. Make no mistake about that.”
We thanked everyone for coming, then gathered up Jackson and headed back to the house. Once we had him down for the night, Frankie came into the kitchen and stood in front of me, looking at me with nothing but love in her eyes. “I wanted to thank you for tonight. Actually, I want to thank you for all the nights ...and all the early mornings and long afternoons. You being there has meant so much to me and to the boys.”