Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Navigating that was difficult, but around the time he moved in with her a month ago Billie started putting up a fight refusing to go to their house every other week for Kristy’s scheduled time and Coop hopped on that train with his sister. And Kristy, not wanting the kids to be uncomfortable, has given in and just let them stay here with me. I don’t mind, I love having them around, but I know it’s not helping the situation. They aren’t going to get comfortable around Aaron if they never have to see him, and all the distance is doing is building a rift between her and the kids.
Coming out of my thoughts when Billie ambles around the corner into the kitchen, I lift my coffee mug to my mouth to hide my smile. She didn’t come down in her pajamas with a blanket wrapped around her like she does when she’s sick. Instead, she’s fully dressed with her hair and makeup done. Not that she needs the makeup, she’s a gorgeous girl with blonde hair like her mom’s, big blue eyes, and freckles that she inherited from her great-grandmother.
“Just so you know, I don’t feel better, but I don’t want to miss today because it’s auditions for the play.”
“Sure.” I put my cup down.
“I’m serious, I like totally don’t feel good.”
“Okay, and if you are sick, you shouldn’t go to school.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, it’s just my period.” She glares at me.
Fuck. I’ve obviously never had a period; I don’t know what it’s like to have cramps, but my sister used to get physically sick every month when she got hers, so I can only imagine how painful it is.
“Do you have something to take for it?”
“I took some Midol.”
“If you want to wait until it kicks in, you can go in late.”
“It’s fine.” Her tone softens and her shoulders relax. “My first class is just study hall, so I’ll be okay.”
“Alright, sweetheart, but if you need me to pick you up early, just call.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she says, taking the frozen waffles she pulled out of the freezer over to the toaster.
“Do either of you need money for lunch?”
“I still have money on my card left over from last week,” Cooper tells me.
“I have money on my card too,” Billie says, pouring herself a cup of coffee. I don’t know when she started drinking coffee, but I’m pretty sure my mom is to blame. She lets the kids get away with murder whenever she watches them and is a regular at the local coffee house.
“While you two finish eating, I’m gonna go get dressed.”
“Okay, Dad,” Cooper says, and Billie mutters.
“Sure.”
I leave the kitchen with Dozer right behind me and walk down the hall to my bedroom. I purchased my house from my parents four years ago when they decided it was time for them to get into something smaller with less maintenance. They found a two-bedroom condo not far away with lawn care included, and since I had been looking for a bigger place, I put an offer in on their house without them knowing, so they didn’t take a cut to their profit in order to help me out.
Before the kids and I moved in, I had the house gutted and remodeled. I updated the kitchen, all the bathrooms, the floors, and I finished out the basement so the kids can hang there if they need space. It took forever, but in the end, the house was like new. But in the old part of town, where the yards are bigger, and you don’t have the hassle of an HOA telling you what you can and can’t do. So, in the winter, I can park my boat in the driveway, and in the summer, if I miss a week cutting the grass, I don’t have someone sending me a letter in the mail telling me I need to get on it.
After I get dressed, I grab my wallet and my keys and walk back into the kitchen, where the kids are talking quietly.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Cooper was just telling me about a kid in class that is bullying him and another girl?”
“Seriously, Billie?” he shouts at his sister.
“Dad should know.” Billie shrugs.
“Coop.” I wait until his eyes come to me. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, the kid is just a jerk, Dad.” He sighs.
“Is he picking on you?”
“He wasn’t, he was picking on the new girl in our class, and I told him to stop so he started just making comments and being dumb.”
“Do I need to talk to your teacher about this?”
“No, it’s okay.” He slides off his stool. “He’s just stupid.”
“You sure?” I try not to step in too much when Cooper and his classmates or friends are having disagreements. Kids are kids, and they fight, then get over shit a day later. And in life, you won’t always have someone there to step in. You need to learn early to stand up for yourself.