Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“I love how supportive you are of me, but seriously, you’re the last person I want to kiss.”
David put one hand on his hip and waggled a fry at me with the other. “You’re turning into a grumpy old queen.”
I scowled. “You better stop while you’re ahead.”
He started to say something else, but I grabbed a few fries and shoved them into his mouth before he could. Food was always guaranteed to derail his train of thought.
“Mmm. These are good.” It was only years of friendship that allowed me to understand what David was saying, since he didn’t bother to finish chewing first. He was impatient to keep talking, as usual.
I grabbed two beers, opened them, and set one in front of him. “Take these plates into the den. I spread out a sheet on the floor. We can eat there, since the table’s still covered in crap.”
“Not because your aunt would never in a million years have let you eat fried chicken on the floor in there?”
I grinned. “Yes. That too.”
“Please tell me you slid down the banister when you first got here.”
I glanced toward the majestic stairway that descended to the entryway. I had certainly thought about it, and then I’d realized I wasn’t ten anymore and would probably bust my balls on the newel post. “Nah.”
David sat the food down. “Come on. Let’s do it right now.”
“Tell me you haven’t been drinking already.”
“No, but I’ve been thinking about this all day. Remember the time your aunt caught us?”
I groaned. “I was grounded forever.”
“But that was such a great day.”
It had been. I had laughed for the first time since my mom died. I almost never invited anyone over, but knowing my aunt and uncle would be at an art auction, I’d asked David to come home with me. We’d raided the kitchen, then watched a movie in my uncle’s den, fighting over the recliner. My aunt and uncle came home early, opening the door just as I came flying down the banister, stopping myself just in time to prevent smacking against the newel post.
“Come on,” David urged again before racing up the stairs. His enthusiasm won me over and I followed. Just as I reached the top step, he swung his leg over the railing. “I get the first turn.”
I stuck my tongue out at my friend. He really was taking me back to my childhood. He managed to slide down without injuring himself, and I prayed I could do the same as I straddled the banister. The wood was as highly polished as it had been when I was a kid, as if it were made for sliding. I picked up speed, nearly losing my balance as I whirled around the curve at the landing. I gripped the railing tighter, desperate to slow myself before I reached the bottom. I squeezed my eyes shut as if that would block the pain of a hard hit from the thick post at the bottom. Finally, I came to a hand-burning stop.
Laughing wildly, I jumped to the floor. David pulled me into a tight hug. “See. You needed that.” He patted my back. “Almost as much as you—”
“Need to get laid?” I had no doubt that was what he was going to say. “Seriously, stay out of my sex life.”
“What sex life?”
“There’s Sparky’s in the kitchen. Maybe I should eat your share too.” I took off running. Halfway to the kitchen, David caught me and grabbed my shirt, trying to yank me back. I struggled, finally managing to pull myself loose and reach the counter first.
“You’re not eating my chicken.” He snatched the bag from me.
“Then take the food into the den like I said before. I’ll get us some utensils.”
David followed instructions this time, and I found him settled on the blanket breathing deeply of the spicy scent coming from the bag. I reached in and grabbed my container filled with chicken tenders before it could be pilfered. Then I handed David his leg quarter and set out the sides between us so we could serve ourselves. Several minutes passed before either of us was up for more than eating and praising the food. I had forgotten just how good Sparky’s was. Crispy, spicy, chicken-y heaven.
Once David slowed down, he said, “I found someone to clean your house.”
“You did?”
“Yep. Rita, the accountant who lives next door, hired someone recently and she’s been very pleased. She says it’s the best service she’s ever used.”
David always got to know his neighbors and they loved him no matter how different they were. He had that uncanny ability to get along with anyone. Even my aunt and uncle hadn’t minded him, except when he was sailing down their banister. I often wished I had that quality too, but I seemed to be better at sticking my foot in my mouth or appearing aloof and difficult to talk to. I didn’t mean to, it just happened.