AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What did you do?” Reanna asked.
“I was down at the pond fishing and you wouldn’t believe what I saw. The biggest fu, freaking toad I’ve ever seen,” Kyle said.
“And?” she prodded.
“I caught it. And then I brought it to Mrs. Grossman. I thought it would make her happy. You know, that I didn’t buy her one but actually caught one instead,” Kyle said.
Jerry wasn’t sure if he was hearing correctly. This kid was here because of a toad? This was his worry? Nothing like Boston.
Reanna said, “How did Mrs. Grossman take it?”
Kyle shook his head. “She didn’t. She yelled at me and then said if I ever come back she’d call the police. I was only trying to make things better.”
“By giving her a frog?” Jerry asked. He’d meant that comment to be internal.
Kyle snapped, “Not a frog. A toad.”
Excuse me. Frog. Toad. Whichever it was, it was preventing him and Reanna from finishing what they had started last night. It was evident that Reanna wasn’t going to just send Kyle on his way without helping him either. Jerry bit back any further comment. Not for Kyle, but the expression on Reanna’s face provided enough of a warning. Like a mama bear protecting a cub.
“Jerry, it’s a bit more complicated than it seems,” Reanna interjected.
“Yeah. By the looks of that car, you don’t live around here, so you wouldn’t get it,” Kyle grumbled. “Mrs. Grossman is really angry at me. Everyone knows it.”
“I told you, give her a few days and she’ll calm down. What you should’ve done was listened to me and stayed away,” Reanna said. “She loved Sammy. Bringing her a toad isn’t going to make it any easier for her. If anything, you just made it a whole lot worse.”
“Do you think you can come with me and talk to her?” Kyle asked.
Both Reanna and Jerry said in unison, “Now?” Kyle nodded.
Reanna said, “It’s late. I’m sure she’s in bed.”
“Nope. I just left her about an hour ago,” Kyle stated.
Jerry watched Reanna fighting to maintain control. “Kyle, not only did you go and stir up trouble, you probably woke her up. Now unless you want me to call your father, I suggest you take that toad back to the pond and let it go. Then you get your butt home and stay there. You’re supposed to be studying. Not fishing. Not playing basketball. Studying!”
Kyle nodded. “Are you really going to call my dad, Officer Long?”
“If you don’t get A’s and B’s on those exams, I will,” she stated, arms crossed, using a tone of authority.
Kyle walked back to his car, head hung low in defeat. Neither spoke until he pulled away and the car was out of sight.
“That was—”
“Odd. But he respects you. That’s why he came here instead of going home,” Jerry said. “I think he might fear you a bit too,” he chuckled. “You almost make me regret how fast I was driving here.”
Reanna laughed. “You don’t look all that sorry.”
Jerry was glad their light, playful mood wasn’t gone; it just had been put on hold. Stepping closer, he pulled her into his arms. “If you want, I’d be happy to show you how sorry I am,” he said, looking down at her.
“I might require a lot of convincing,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Why don’t we go inside where you can work on that in private?”
Jerry slid an arm beneath her legs and scooped her high into his arms. “And hopefully without any interruptions.” He climbed the steps, two at a time, and waited for her to pull out her keys and unlock the door. Once inside, he felt his cell phone vibrating. He didn’t care if it was the president calling him for advice. Jerry wasn’t answering it tonight.
She must’ve heard the soft buzzing sound because she asked, “Do you need to get that?”
“I’ll call them tomorrow,” he said. I have other things that need my attention right now.
“Then what are you waiting for?” she said before her tongue traced her top lip.
