Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I placed my hand on the top of his head, gently toying with his hair as I said, “Hey, sweetie. I have someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Hmm?”
Ford’s eyes narrowed as he looked over at Holt. “This is Holt. He’s an old friend of mine.”
“Hey, Holt.”
“Hey, buddy,” Holt’s voice was almost unrecognizable compared to the hard edge it carried moments ago. He sat down across from Ford as he asked, “What ’cha playing?”
“Minecraft.”
Ford kept his eyes trained on Holt. I could see the wheels turning in his head like he was trying to place him. He didn’t say anything more. He just sat there, staring at Holt with those big green eyes that matched his father’s, and it almost broke me.
“Minecraft, huh?” Holt leaned forward, glancing down at the screen as he asked, “You dodging all the creepers?”
“Trying.”
“How close are you to getting to the End?”
Ford’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve played Minecraft?”
“A time or two.”
“No way.”
“How else would I know that you gotta wear a carved pumpkin on your head in case the Endermen attack?”
“You beat the dragon?”
“Maybe.”
“That’s so cool.”
There was a pause, a quiet moment where they just looked at each other. It was a moment that made that knot in my throat even tighter. There was a time when I loved Holt more than anything in this world, and this was one of the many reasons why. He was strong and manly, but there was tenderness to him like no one I’d ever met.
Ford didn’t say anything, but I could see it in his eyes. There was a spark of recognition, like some part of him knew Holt was more than just an old friend of his mother’s sitting there next to him.
His voice was tentative but curious as he asked Holt, “You play a lot of games?”
“Hmmm, not like I used to. But there was a time when I played a good bit.”
“Which one was your favorite?”
“Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto were pretty awesome, but those are a little much for a kid your age.”
“I haven’t played ‘em, but I’ve seen ‘em. They look pretty cool.”
“Mario Cart was pretty good when you played against the right person.”
“Ah, yeah. I like that one. I used to play it all the time with Kirby. He was my best friend back in New York.”
“Sounds like a cool kid.”
“He is. He wins most of the time, but only because I suck at it.”
Ford smiled, and at that moment, I felt the tears burning in the back of my eyes. I turned away, not wanting either of them to see me cry, but it was no use. This was what had been stolen from them. A connection that was so easy and natural it made my heart ache.
“Oh, I doubt that.”
“Maybe we could play sometime.”
“Maybe so,” Holt replied, his voice thick with emotion I knew he was trying to hide. “I’ll talk to your mom about it.”
I wiped at my cheeks and turned back to them. “Ford, why don’t you go grab a muffin or something, and then, we can head back upstairs and check on Nana.”
“Okay.”
Ford jumped off the sofa and started over to the complimentary breakfast, but Holt didn’t move. He just sat there with his hands clenched together as he watched Ford. Once he was out of earshot, Holt looked over to me with emotion in his eyes. “Thank you.”
My throat was too tight to respond, so I nodded and smiled.
“He’s pretty great.”
“Yes, he is.”
“When can I see him again?”
“Soon, but I’d like us to talk first,” I started. “There are things you should know.”
“Name the time and place, and I’ll be there.”
“How about tonight at seven? We could meet across the street at Reno’s.”
“I’ll be there.”
His face was void of expression as he turned and headed out of the hotel. I went over to the window and watched as he got on his motorcycle and started the engine. My chest was tight with worry and regret, but for the first time in a very long time, I felt a sliver of hope.
As I watched him disappear into traffic, I found myself thinking about how good we once had it. Holt went out of his way to show me how much he loved me. He was always bringing me flowers that he’d picked on the way to my house or taking me to explore special places around the city. I didn’t care where we went or what we did. I just wanted to spend time with him. He knew that, but that didn’t stop him from going out of his way to make me feel special.
My mind drifted back to one of the nights he took me out to the old boat ramp to look at the stars. It was a moment that had stuck with me, especially in the days after I was told he had died.