Page 81 of A Simple Life

But not before reaching in and turning off the hot water.

His yelp of surprise gave me more than a little satisfaction.

Abby prattled on about her day. “Bethy taught me how to karate chop someone,” she said. “Take down a bully.”

John looked impressed. “You need to show me later, Pumpkin.”

“We don’t karate chop people, Abby,” I said, trying to stay patient.

“What if they karate chop me first?”

“We use our words.”

“Well…” John began.

“Our words,” I stressed.

“Yes, your momma is right. Words first, but if they come at you, then you can defend yourself.”

I sighed and changed the subject. “I stopped by the house earlier to get a dress.”

John’s fork stopped halfway to his mouth. He looked guilty. “Oh.”

“The air is fixed?”

“Yeah. Ted found a unit. Put it in today.”

“So we can head home after the weekend.” I looked at Abby. “You must miss your room?”

She shrugged.

“But you picked the paint,” I reminded her.

“I like it here.”

“You liked the house too. With the swing, remember?”

“I guess.”

She pushed away her plate. “Momma, may I be excused?”

“You’re finished?”

“I’m not hungry anymore.”

“Of course.”

She headed down the hall, and I glanced at John. He’d stopped eating as well. “The house was awfully cool for only having that unit put in today, John.”

He balled up his napkin. “Okay, it went in on Tuesday.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I like having you here. I like coming home, knowing you and Pumpkin will be here. Hearing you laugh. Playing with her. Sleeping beside you. I didn’t want you to go yet.” He indicated the direction Abby had headed in. “I don’t think she wants to go either.”

“We have to go back eventually.”

He met my eyes. “Why?” he challenged.