Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“Hallie, look what you did. You got Cheetos in Daddy’s chest hair.”
I felt someone blowing on me. “Now they’re gone.”
“No. You missed some. Right there, it’s orange. See?”
“Be careful, Luna. You’re gonna drip.”
That’s when I felt a cold splat on my belly.
I opened my eyes and saw a purple blob at the top of my abs. “What the hell is that?”
“It’s jelly from my toast.” Luna leaned over and slurped it up like an anteater. “Sorry.”
“Jesus Christ.” I looked at Hallie, who held a bag of Cheetos. Her fingers were coated with bright orange. “Is that supposed to be your breakfast?”
She shrugged. “I was hungry.”
“Your sister made toast. You couldn’t at least pour cereal?”
“She didn’t make toast, she dumped grape jelly on a piece of bread.”
“I was scared to use the toaster,” Luna confirmed with her mouth full.
I dropped my head back onto the pillow. “What time is it?”
“It’s after seven. We got an email from Winnie, want to hear it?”
No, I didn’t. Just hearing her name was hard enough. She’d been gone for ten days, and it seemed like she’d been on my mind for every minute of them. Every time I thought about her, my chest hurt. I’d picked up my phone to call her a thousand times, but hearing her voice wasn’t going to make me miss her less. I thought about texting, but it seemed selfish—she’d asked for time, and I wanted to give it to her.
Plus, I didn’t exactly trust myself not to say something crazy.
I’m an idiot. Come back. I love you. Stay with me.
But I was desperate for news about her too. Was she okay? How was her new apartment? Her new job? Did she love it? Did she miss home? Did she miss me? Every time I thought of her in that soft white sweater, I pined for her a little more. Was it possible I’d never hold her in my arms again?
“Can you read it to me?” I asked.
Hallie went to get her iPad, and Luna wiped her sticky hands on her nightgown. “I got some jelly on the counter,” she told me. “And on the floor.”
“Great.”
“And Freddie Purrcury stepped in it.”
I frowned. “Even better.”
Hallie returned, carrying her iPad instead of her Cheetos. “Dear Hallie and Luna,” she read. “I was so happy to get your email and the photos you sent. You did a great job painting your nails! I miss playing salon with you too. My new job is keeping me very busy. I meet lots of new people every day. Piglet misses you too. She isn’t used to our new home yet, and I think she is mad at me about the move. But it’s very nice, even if my next-door neighbors are not as fun as you. You asked when I was coming home for a visit, and the answer is next weekend. I will be there from Friday to Sunday for a work event at Cloverleigh Farms. I don’t know if you will be with your mom or your dad, but let me know and maybe we can work something out. After that, I am not sure when I will be home next. Write back soon and send me more pictures. Here is one for you. Love, Winnie.”
“Did she send you a picture?” I asked, desperate to see her face.
“Yes.” Hallie showed me the screen, and my heart lurched at the sight of Winnie’s deep blue eyes, soft smile, and pink cheeks. She held Piglet, who looked about as happy to be in the photo as I felt staring at it. Something the size of a golf ball was lodged in my throat.
“Where are we next weekend, Daddy?” Luna asked. “Can we see her?”
“Uh . . .” I had to think. “That’s your mom’s wedding.”
“But that’s Saturday,” Hallie said. “Couldn’t we see her Friday when she gets here? Or Sunday, the day after?”
“Maybe.” I tried to swallow and couldn’t. “I’ll—I’ll text her and find out when she gets in. I also need to check with Mom about the wedding schedule.”
“Okay. Can we go out for breakfast?”
“I guess.” But I didn’t want to go anywhere. I just wanted to stay in bed, stare at her photo, and feel sorry for myself.
“Can we go to Winnie’s bakery?”
“Can’t we go somewhere else?”
“No, that’s our favorite place on Saturday mornings.” Luna giggled. “You still have Cheeto dust in your chest hair.”
Dropping my chin, I gave her my best grumpy Dad face. “Go get dressed, and put that nightgown in your laundry basket. It’s got jelly all over it.”
“Can you text Winnie right now and ask about the weekend?” Hallie pleaded.
“No.” I needed to think about exactly what I was going to say to her. “I want to talk to Mom first. I’ll do that when I drop you guys off today. Now go get dressed.”