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"Well, you can’t stay here with Grams. Now why don’t you want to go to school?" I questioned, finally finishing the braid and securing the bottom with an elastic.
"I don't like what I'm wearing."
I was ready to call Valerie up and give her a piece of my mind. I swore she’d made this child act this way on purpose. Sure, she was eleven going on seventeen. Despite that, she’d never been this argumentative before. She’d literally gone from a wonderful, polite angel to this spoiled brat I could barely handle.
"Well, I'm sorry, but you picked out this outfit in the summer specifically for today. You liked it then. What has changed?"
I knew this had to do with Valerie. No doubt in my mind. Grace shrugged and shoved a mouthful of oatmeal into her mouth, making a face.
“Dad, fashion changes. You’d get that if you were a girl.”
There it was! It was like I was sitting across from Valerie all over again, listening to why it was she needed some new purse or something. I let out a sigh, sat down with my bowl and a cup of coffee, and ate, then pulled Grace's lunch from the fridge and packed her lunch bag.
"What am I having for lunch?" she asked while bringing her half-eaten bowl of oatmeal over to the counter.
I glanced down, feeling completely defeated that she hadn't eaten her breakfast. "Ham and cheese sandwich, an apple, a banana, some carrots and celery, and this," I said, producing half a brownie that I'd purchased at The Crispy Biscuit. I watched as Grace's eyes lit up at the sight of the sweet delight. "Go grab your backpack."
Saying goodbye to my mother and with Grace secured in the truck, I climbed into the driver’s side and started the engine, waiting for the truck to warm up before I backed out of the driveway.
"Oh, Daddy, I forgot..." Grace muttered.
"What you forget?"I questioned, lifting my head from a message I was sending to a contractor, and glanced over toward Grace.
She held up the book we'd borrowed from Bluebird Books before she'd gone to stay with her mom. Instantly, I cringed. I'd found the young readers’ program almost as soon as we'd moved into town. We could borrow books for Grace to read, sort of like the library.
"Grace, I told you to remind me to bring it back."
"I forgot," Grace whined.
I glanced at my watch. I was running late, and if I went to the bookstore first, Grace would be late for school. "Give me the book," I demanded, waiting for her to place it in my hand. I quickly threw it onto the seat beside me and backed out of the driveway.
Once I'd dropped Grace off at school, I made my way through town over to Bluebird Books. I pulled in behind a car, slammed on the brakes and quickly hopped out of the truck and made my way to the door. That was when I realized I'd left the book in the truck. I ran back over and pulled the door open to find the seat empty and the book missing.
"Fuck me...if this day gets any fucking worse, I swear..." I'd thought I’d heard something fall when I'd slammed on the brakes but had paid little attention. I was about to reach between the seats when I heard a small voice behind me. I turned to see an older woman with a stack of books in her arms.
"Sir, is everything okay?" she questioned.
"Just wonderful," I bit out. When I caught the look on her face, I cleared my throat and gave a weak smile. "Sorry, I'm just running behind, and I seem to have misplaced the book I was supposed to return."
She tilted her head to the side and glanced into my truck. "Sir, it's between the seats. It has a green cover, right?"
I turned and spotted the book almost instantly. I pulled it out and looked over at the lady, giving her a crooked smile.
"Little light reading I see?" She softly smiled.
"Oh this. It’s for my daughter," I muttered, tucking it under my arm. "Can I carry those in for you?" I nodded to the armful of books.
"Nah, carrying books is good for my bones."
I ran over to the door and held it open for her, waiting for her to step inside before following.The line inside was just long enough to frustrate me even more. For a small-town bookstore, the place was packed, and I knew I was going to be late.
I pulled out my phone and quickly texted my mother to let her know I’d be there shortly. I blew out a breath, trying to maintain patience as the line barely moved.
"Can I help you?" a tiny voice asked.
I glanced up to see a woman, mid-thirties, sitting behind the desk. Sweat covered my brow as I looked at her. She was pretty, blonde curly hair, large brown eyes. She stood up, and my eyes instantly ran the length of her body.
"I have this to return," I said, handing her the book.
