AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The parts you don’t eat.”
“All right.” I cut off the conversation before York doesn’t simply change her mind, but scars her for life. “Go brush your teeth and put on some clothes. We don’t want to be late for our appointment at the spa.”
Nora’s off in a flash.
“Appointment?” York laughs at me.
“You called the nail place, which sits between the liquor store and a tattoo shop in a strip mall, a spa,” I defend.
“They’re amazing, and they only charge twenty bucks for a pedicure.”
“I’m not complaining.”
We have fun at the burger joint where, when you step in, you feel like you’ve walked back in time. Even the waitstaff plays the part. The music is a bit too loud but works in the ’60s atmosphere.
We’re headed to York’s car when she receives a message. After reading it, she hands me her phone.
Chloe Shaw:
Sorry to bother you, but Spud has found out my new number and said if I don’t call him, he’s going to come here and make me talk to him. He says he has this address.
“Call her.” I hand York the phone. “Tell her we’re picking her up.”
“Who, Mommy?” Nora asks.
“Miss Chloe. She used to play softball with me.”
“Does she like to go fishing?” she asks.
I look at York, who shrugs.
“I bet she would love that.”
“Awesomesauce!” She jumps up and down. “She can sit next to me. Is she short? Does she need a booster? She needs to be safe, right, Mommy?”
She sure does.
As I expected, Nora talked Chloe’s ear off the entire forty minutes to the lake, but Chloe seemed to enjoy it, encourage it even.
Nora has a way about her that makes you forget all the bad things that could be lurking in the dark corners and instead remind you of all the awesome surrounding you. I suppose all kids have that effect if allowed. I certainly didn’t get to feel safe enough to do that with my mother, but Popa B and Gram made up for it in spades.
I swear it all changed when I became a preteen. The first time I asked what a period was at the dinner table, Popa B nearly choked to death—and not in a figurative sense. Gram wasn’t much better. She told me a lady of her age wouldn’t be of much help in that department and suggested I ask the school nurse. It was the right call, but it was also the weekend. Thank God for Bianca Paul.
When we pull down the dirt road, it’s close to two in the afternoon, and Nora is all but bouncing out of her seat.
York smiles, “Unbuckle and stick your head out the window. Feel that?—”
“What?” I gasp, but it’s too late. It’s also the moment I find out Nora can unbuckle herself, and I don’t like it at all. “You’re a cop.”
“We’re on a private road to a private home.” She scoffs.
I reach back as Nora leans out the window and see that Chloe has moved and is holding her around the waist.
“We’re here!” Nora calls out.
“And just who are you announcing our arrival to, the trees?” Chloe laughs.
“Trees and fishes, we have arrived!” Nora yells, and then she continues, “Let’s get this party started!”
