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“IT’S THE BEST ROOM EVER!’’ comes from Arden.
“IT’S THE BEST PLAYGROUND EVER!!!!” Lochlan shouts happily.
“Dis mine too?” Vivi softly asks, tugging at my sleeve. My heart breaks all over for my sweet girl who went without so much because of my shitty choices.
Maw-Maw kneels down. “Yes, baby, this is yours too. You can have anything and everything you want that’s in this house, okay? It’s your house too.”
She gives her Maw-Maw a huge hug with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen and then runs screeching to the swing. Grabbing my hand and pulling me along, Maw-Maw addresses me. “Now I have something for you.’’ She leads me to a door right across from the kid’s playroom, and it opens to a library.
“Holy shit, it’s just like Beauty and the Beast!” I exclaim.
“Yep, sure is. I’ve been ordering books for years, and any that you downloaded on our shared account that I could buy, I bought; even the reverse harem ones you like so much!” She points to a shelf. “Go look at those.”
I ran to the shelf with the same enthusiasm as my kids did a moment ago. ‘‘Oh my god! REALLY! I’VE WANTED THIS IN PAPERBACK!’’ On the shelf are the books currently out in the Cricket series by Willow Hadley, and the full set of The Spirit Vlog series by Jarica James.
“Open them up,’’ she says with a mischievous grin.
I glance at her wide-eyed as I open one and then down to the book in my hands. ‘‘HOLY CRAP! THEY ARE SIGNED! YOU GOT ME SIGNED BOOKS?! You’re the absolute best grandmother anyone could ever ask for!” The entire time we’re freaking out, she’s standing off to the side grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Clearly she’s hellbent on spoiling us rotten.
Laughing, she pats me on the shoulder, walking away and calling out, “I know!”
I spend the afternoon in my own personal heaven, and the kids play their hearts out until I decide to go get them and a snack for us all. I decide to make pb&js and as I'm finishing eating, my phone rings. “Hello?’’
“Hey, is this Isla? This is Silas, I was calling with an update on your car.’’
“Ah, okay, let’s hear it then. How bad?’’
“Well, I don’t know how to ask this politely, but did someone want you dead or something? I don’t know how you have been driving this thing.’’ His words have me freezing, blood running cold.
“I don’t understand what you mean… What’s wrong?’’ Maw-Maw sees my face and shoos the kids to go back to playing then motions for me to put it on speaker. I’m still in shock and don’t hesitate to follow the order.
“Well ma’am,” he begins. “The oil was almost completely drained, the radiator hose and fuel lines had been perforated, and the timing belt looked intentionally frayed. I also found the exhaust pipe was unbolted but zip tied to the underside, your lug nuts were only hand-tightened, and the driver and rear middle seat belts were lacerated as well. The whole car honestly just needs to be scrapped. I can’t promise I’ll be able to find everything to fix and I wouldn’t trust it to be safe.’’ I hear him sigh before he continues. “I’m so sorry Isla, I know it’s not good news, but I’m glad it didn’t do anything worse.” The fact that he’s dead and this is what he left me with has me feeling nauseous. I knew he never wanted Vivian but I can’t believe the lengths he went to harm her.
Even though I’m trying not to cry, having my grandmother hold me together helps keep my voice even. “It’s okay Silas, I guess I can come by tomorrow and get all mine and the kids stuff out, and sign whatever to scrap it. If that works for you?”
“That’ll work just fine hun. How about you come around noon? We can do all the paperwork, clean out the car, and then if you would like, we could grab lunch? I know a great southern style restaurant. Afterwards, I can help you pick out a new car that will fit everyone, and you can bring the kids so they can help pick it out?’’
Looking at my grandmother questioningly, I reply, “Um, I’ll leave the kids at home, but that sounds good. Can you text me the address for the shop, and I’ll see you tomorrow?”
He chuckles as he says, “Yeah hon, I’ll text it to you. See you tomorrow.’’
I hang up the phone and look at my grandmother. “I know we need to talk about all that, but I don’t have it in me tonight, okay? I’m gonna go read for a while.’’ She studies me with sad eyes for a moment before nodding in agreement.
“Okay, dear. Take your time.’’
I read until it's time to get the kids ready for dinner, then do our nightly routine, and finally get into bed. As I lay down I realize I’m actually starting to feel kinda lonely, something I haven’t felt in years, and I think it has to do with two sinfully hot men.
