Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
I nod and start to walk away when he stops me. “Wait, there is one thing.”
Turning around, I meet his gaze.
“Can I get your number just in case?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say. After we exchange them, I realize how chilly it’s gotten. Since half the house still needs new insulation, the cool night air sneaks in. “One more thing. There’s an extra space heater in the hall closet if you need it.”
“Thanks. Good night.”
Meeting his dark brown eyes once again, I think of all the things I want to say but don’t. “Good night, Noah.”
I turn off the living room lights before I lock the front door. As I drive home, I feel guilty for leaving Noah in my big, empty house. Though I wasn’t happy about him coming in the first place, it’s the best I can do for him, yet I hate that he’s alone. I also hate to think how prison has probably made him used to it.
After I get Owen in bed for the night, I close my eyes and fall asleep with Noah on my mind.
CHAPTER TWELVE
NOAH
The sun rises, but I don’t want to climb out from under the covers that kept me warm all night. Luckily, Katie had a space heater, so that helped. I stretch and stare at the high ceiling as I think about yesterday.
It was surreal talking to Owen about his dad and seeing how much he looks like Gabe.
Owen’s facial expressions are just like Gabe’s, especially the way his lips curl up when he smiles. He even has his eyes. It looked like Gabe’s ghost was sitting at the table with us.
I get out of bed and go to the bathroom, then get dressed. Wanting to feel useful in some way, I walk through each room and take note of what Katie still needs to do. Once I’m in the living room, the front door swings open.
I’m shocked to see a smiling Katie carrying a brown bag and two cups.
It's completely unexpected, considering how yesterday started out between us. Not to mention, she basically loathes me.
“Good morning,” she tells me.
“Mornin’.”
She hands me one of the cups. “I didn’t know how you take your coffee anymore, so I just got it the same way as mine with cream and sugar.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I take a sip and enjoy how warm it is. Prison sure makes a person appreciate the small things in life, such as a good cup of coffee. Katie looks at me the same way she used to when we were teenagers, then beams as she opens the bag and pulls out two bagels. She’s in a good mood today, and I’ve missed seeing this side of her.
“There's cream cheese in the bag,” she informs me, handing it to me.
“You're amazing.” I cover mine in cream cheese, then take a bite. “Where's Owen today?”
“Loretta and Elliot took him to church and will have him until this evening. I'm hoping I can make some progress here while he's with them.”
I haven’t talked to them since before the accident, and they ignored me at the funeral. No telling how many bricks they’d shit if they knew I was staying at Katie’s house or that I had dinner with Owen. I hate that she has to keep secrets from them, but it’s for the best.
“He’s a good kid, Katie. You've done an amazing job with him,” I say, meaning every word.
Her shoulders slightly relax, and she smiles gratefully. “Thanks, it wasn’t always easy.”
I nod in response, though I can’t imagine what she’s had to go through while juggling work life and single mom life.
“Alright, well, on to bathroom duty.” She taps on her phone. Moments later, someone’s giving monotone instructions on how to remove a toilet and a sink. The video is long and boring. I try to keep my opinions to myself, as she’s asked, and quietly eat my bagel.
“What?” She looks at me.
I shake my head and chuckle. “Nothing.”
She stops the video. “No, you want to say something. I can tell. Go ahead.”
“You're sure?”
“Yes,” she snaps.
“Well…” I hesitate. “While I'm here, I’d like to help you, Katie. It’d be a lot easier and faster than watching that.”
She acts as if she’s contemplating my offer, but she’s still too damn stubborn to agree.
I continue before she can tell me to fuck off. “If I'm being honest, not having anything to do is making me feel useless. I know you can do this on your own, but I want to repay you somehow. It would be my way of thanking you for letting me stay here. You've fed me dinner and even brought coffee and bagels today. I'm using your electricity, water, and everything else. It’d make me feel a lot less guilty for being an inconvenience.”
She lets out a sigh.
“I’m just trying to offer my skills as a payment for your kindness and using your resources. A fair trade. I don’t want to take advantage or get handouts. Not from my family, and especially not from you.”