Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 128083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
His counselor had also suggested that extracurriculars could only help, and so Rex had practically begged the football coach for a spot on the team as a statistician. He knew it wasn’t necessarily a position the team needed, but the coach had grown up in the same neighborhood as Rex, and it was likely a pity appointment. Regardless of why he’d been given the role, it was one that would look great on his application as a math major. And he was determined to show the coach the value of his work for the team.
It also meant he got to see Cami almost every single day after school.
Despite the areas where he was lacking, the future was fast approaching, and there was reason for hope.
His mom stubbed her cigarette out in the ashtray on the table, and Rex spotted a couple of butts that he knew were his grandpop’s brand. “Grandpop was here?”
His mom made a sound of disgust in the back of her throat. “I borrowed a little money from him, and he came over to drop it off and lecture me while he was at it. I told him I didn’t want to hear his bullshit.”
Maybe you need to. “He means well,” Rex said, even though he knew that was being generous. His grandpop could be a mean old bastard when he wanted to be. He’d cut Rex down plenty too.
“He means to be a nagging old bitch. And anyway, he should talk. Have you seen his place? It looks like a jungle.”
“I think that’s on purpose.”
“There ya go.”
His grandfather worked part time at the hardware store to supplement his social security. When the flower seeds expired, he’d take them and toss them on his property. Apparently, however, the expiration date on a pack of flower seeds wasn’t always accurate because his yard had grown into a colorful mess that you’d have to use a scythe to walk through at this point. Rex had once asked his grandpop why he liked flowers so much, and his grandpop had told him he didn’t, but the seeds were free, and it wasn’t right to let free things go to waste. He wasn’t exactly wrong, but judging by the state of his property, he might not be exactly right either.
His mom turned and went to the cabinet, where she pulled out a fresh bottle of vodka and poured herself a glass. He felt a sinking inside. “I thought you were on the wagon.”
She made a dismissive sound with her lips. “Life’s too short for wagons. I gotta live, you know?” She winked at him. “Plus, I have a date tonight and I’m a little nervous. He’s a financier, Rexy. Think about that. I could marry a finance guy and move us to a fancy house in Palisades Park.” She did a little shimmy with her shoulders, and he turned so she couldn’t see his eye roll.
As if. The mere thought of them moving to Palisades Park was a big fat joke.
“How are your applications coming?” she asked.
“I’ve barely started. They’re not due until after Christmas.”
“Never too early to get on the ball.”
“I’ve been on the ball my whole life, Mom.” If I took your life management advice, I’d be a high school dropout working a dead-end job, waiting for a rich asshole to marry. But he didn’t say that. It would hurt her feelings, even though it was true. Because it was true. His thoughts made him feel guilty, and he offered a smile. “I’ve got it under control.”
“I know you do. You must have your father’s brains because I know I’ve still got mine.” She laughed at her own joke and then gave him a kiss on his cheek and went bouncing out of the room, glass in hand. Rex gave her back a tired shake of his head. He might have his father’s brains, but he had no idea and neither did she. She didn’t even know the guy’s name—only that he’d stopped in Virginia long enough to have a few drinks and knock up one of the locals before heading out of town.
Rex sat down at the table with a sigh, staring at his mom’s stubbed-out, half-smoked cigarette. He wasn’t surprised she was drinking again. Her “sobriety” never lasted long. And he could practically guarantee that things would quickly go afoul with this financier she spoke of. They always did. But in the meantime, he’d have to deal with the guy, who was almost certainly greasy in any number of ways. His mom had a type, and it included massive amounts of pomade and questionable ethics.
She was better than all the men who had come and inevitably gone. Too bad she was the only one who didn’t know it.
Rex yawned. He’d have to stay up, though, now that he knew his mom had a date. He’d stay awake until she got home to make sure she was okay. And then he’d help her to bed because she’d probably be three sheets to the wind.