Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Pangs of jealousy hit me head-on.
Why can’t I have that? What did I do so wrong in my damn life that I can’t have even a bit of that?
Crew’s arms come around my waist, his front pressing against my back. He just holds me, rocking me gently back and forth. The connection helps me relax and the tears to scatter across my cheeks.
“Everything’s gonna be okay,” he whispers.
I nod but don’t say anything. I’m afraid to say anything out loud. Just when I start to believe it, something sets us back.
Crew’s phone rings and we both jump, my throat squeezing shut. I grab mine out of my pocket, afraid I’ve missed a call.
“It’s Sal. Let me take this, okay?”
Relief washes over me like the waves on the shore. He walks away and I turn back to see the family on the beach coming towards me. I wipe my eyes, trying to avoid looking like a complete mess.
The little boy rushes towards me, giggling.
“Ben, get back here,” his mother shouts. The father races forward and scoops him up, making him laugh harder.
“Hello,” the lady says as they approach.
“Hi.”
“Are you okay, Miss?” the little girl asks, her eyes full of concern. She’s slightly older than Everleigh, but not by much.
“Yes, I am. Thank you.”
“I’m sorry. Annie is at that stage where she hasn’t yet learned manners.” The man laughs, rolling up his sleeves. “We’re working on it.”
“No worries,” I say, smiling at Annie. “I have a daughter just about her age.”
“You do?” she asks, her eyes lighting up. “Is she here? Can I play with her?”
I smile sadly. “No, she isn’t. She’s in the hospital.” I look up to the woman, a confused look on her face. “I’m actually here for her benefit,” I say motioning behind me. “I probably should get back.”
I don’t know why I’m telling these strangers this. I’m rambling. I know it but can’t stop.
“What’s the matter with her?” Annie asks.
I don’t want to say something and scare the little girl. It’s not my place. The woman smiles, seeming to understand, and takes her hand and the boy’s. “I hope she’s okay. I’ll pray for her,” she says. She exchanges a look with her husband and leads the children away.
“If you don’t mind my asking, what’s the matter with your daughter?” he asks, tucking his sunglasses in the front of his shirt.
“She has neuroblastoma.”
His face hardens, his eyebrows pulling together. “I’m sorry. Are you here alone? Do you need anything?”
I shake my head, feeling foolish. “No, no, I’m okay. My . . . Crew is right over there. We’ll be going back to the hospital soon.”
He glances at Crew. “Okay. We’ll be thinking of your family. Nice to meet you.”
I sit on the ground and watch the waves roll in. It just seems like yesterday when we would come to the beach and splash around happily. How times have changed.
“Ready?” Crew asks. He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet.
“Yeah. Everything all right?”
“Just a few promo things to do. He doesn’t want to do them because he thinks they’re distracting. But the NAFL is pushing hard, so he ran it by me.”
“Okay. Let’s get out of here. But I need to say goodbye to Mrs. Ficht first.”
He guides me through the maze of people until we spot her. She’s twirling pink cotton candy out of a machine, a bright smile on her face as always. She sees me coming and wipes off her hands. “Hey, sweetie,” she says, pulling me in for a hug. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes. This was amazing. Thank you so much. We’re going to get back to the hospital, though. I’m just worried sick and hate not being with her.”
“Do not explain. I’m a mother, too.” She releases me and looks at Crew. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here.” He grins.
“Well, you be careful. Call me if you need anything.”
“We will.”
“We’ve gotten more donations than I thought,” she says, a curious look on her face. “Do you happen to know anyone by the last name Alexander?”
I shake my head and look at Crew. He shrugs his shoulders.
“A man came over and gave me a check for five thousand dollars a few minutes ago. Cane Alexander, I think he said his name was. I’ve never seen him before.”
I gasp. “Did you say five thousand dollars?”
She laughs in disbelief. “I don’t know if the check will cash, but we’ll put it in your account. Worth a try, anyway, right?”
“My God,” I whisper, wondering who he is. “Thank you so much for everything.” I hug her again. “I appreciate this so much.”
“Go on. You get back to your little girl.”
“Thank you again,” I say, my voice breaking. “Thank you so much.”
FORTY-THREE
CREW
The room on the other side of the wall goes quiet. My stomach twists, reminiscent of the way it feels before a fight. Except there’s no fight today. Not a physical one, anyway.