AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, you did say that, but I didn’t know if you meant it,” Poppy replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“I don’t say something unless I mean it, babe. Something you need to learn about me,” I explained, tossing my boots aside and hanging my cut over the back of the couch.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Poppy murmured, her tone thoughtful.
“Being a decent human being who only says what they mean is impressive?” I chuckled. “If that’s the case, you really need to find some new people to hang out with,” I teased lightly.
“I work in a bar, Yarder,” she laughed. “Drunk people normally do tell the truth, but then they don’t remember that they did.”
“Worked at a bar,” I corrected myself quietly, the weight of my recent decisions settling over me.
“What?” Poppy asked, catching my mumble.
I reached for the TV remote, trying to change the subject. “Nothing, babe. What movie did you want to watch?” I turned on the TV and settled onto the couch, hoping to distract both of us.
“Whatever you want. I haven’t seen most movies you have on the TV. I was pretty much just watching whatever Netflix told me to watch. Last night I watched 27 Dresses,” she answered.
“Never heard of it,” I muttered absentmindedly. I didn’t watch much TV, but it wasn’t because of limited options like Poppy. “Do you watch any TV?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.
“Whatever I can get to come in on the antenna. Most of the time, it’s just public TV. I normally get ready for work while Sesame Street plays in the background,” Poppy replied with a laugh.
I chuckled, admiring her resilience. “Babe, you crack me up. Most everyone I know would be an asshole if they had to deal with the things you did.”
“But I’m just a ray of sunshine?” she laughed softly. “Trust me, I wasn’t always this okay with being dirt poor. I just figured out being mean and nasty about it didn’t make things any better. It actually makes things worse. So, I’m thankful for my apartment and being able to listen to Sesame Street while I get ready for my job.”
I glanced at her, feeling a surge of admiration. “You’re one of a kind, babe,” I said sincerely.
She shrugged nonchalantly, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. “If you say so.”
I scrolled through Netflix for a bit, trying to find something to watch. After a moment’s deliberation, I settled on S.W.A.T.
“Have you seen this before?” Poppy asked, her eyes fixed on the TV screen.
I tossed the remote to Poppy, watching as she caught it effortlessly. “Long time ago,” I admitted.
“So you know what happens,” she pouted slightly, looking up at me.
I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. “I can’t even tell you what this movie is about, babe. I’m going to be as surprised as you are.”
“Sure,” she drawled, clearly not convinced. “You better tell me if you start remembering this movie, okay? If you do, I’m going to pick something else,” she warned, pointing a finger at me.
I held up my hand in mock surrender. “Scout’s honor, babe.”
She scoffed, shaking her head in amusement. “As if you were a Boy Scout.”
“You’re right. I was too damn poor to be a Boy Scout,” I chuckled, the memories flooding back. “I did hock watches on the corner one summer. Does that count?”
“Hardly,” she laughed. “Though it does make me feel a little closer to you. Three summers in a row, I sold bottled water on the street.”
“Make a killing?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Poppy shrugged, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Not really, but it kept me from starving.”
I hated knowing Poppy had to go through the things she did. She deserved so much better than what she had. “There’s that strength I was talking about,” I murmured, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand.
“Yeah,” Poppy sighed, her gaze drifting back to the TV screen. “Sometimes I wish I didn’t need to be so strong.”
The opening credits to the movie started, and Poppy shoved a pillow under her head, settling in for the night.
