Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Hmm.
Maybe I’d put my ‘use Amelia to escape’ plan on the backburner for now.
I took my green tea from the barista and turned around, almost running into Aunt Vi.
“Oh, Deli!” She smiled widely at me. “Good morning, dear.”
“It’s one-thirty, Aunt Vi.”
She looked at the clock above the barista’s station. “Oh, so it is. Good afternoon, then.”
I grinned. “Good afternoon. I didn’t think I’d run into you here.”
“Don’t tell anyone, but I’m addicted to Anne’s millionaire slices,” she whispered, leaning in close to me and nodding at the girl who’d just served me my tea. “They box them up for me every few days and I smuggle them into my bedroom like a mother hiding her favourite sweets from her toddler.”
“They are damn good,” I agreed. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Her smile widened as the box was brought over, and she tapped her card against the reader. “When you move in, I’ll tell you where the box is, and you can help yourself to my treats.”
I sighed as we headed for the door. “I might have to take you up on that. I’ll keep it stocked, too, don’t worry.”
Aunt Vi laughed and stepped out into the sunshine after me, pulling her oversized sunglasses down from the top of her head. “You half-live with us at this point. What’s a few more of your belongings in Fred’s room?”
“It’s the Fred’s room part that is the problem,” I muttered. “Did you know he talks in his sleep?”
“Yes, but you turn into a little koala when you sleep, so I think your bad habits even each other out somewhat.”
Well… that was a tough one to argue with.
Still, though, who didn’t want to cuddle in their sleep? Granted, I didn’t want to be cuddled, I wanted to be the cuddler.
I was the big spoon, damn it.
“Do you know where he is today?” I asked, turning the corner with her. “Nana has been sneaking around giggling, and I’m starting to get a little concerned.”
Aunt Vi shook her head. “Sorry, dear. I assume it has something to do with the cockamamie scheme you two have cooked up, but I told him I want no part of it.” She quickly touched my arm, meeting my gaze. “Not that I don’t want you two together, darling, but… You know.”
“Not like this.” I patted her hand. “I’m not offended by it. Believe me, I wish I had no part in it, too.”
My words must have hit the spot because she laughed quietly, releasing my arm. “I’ve been telling you for years that that mouth of yours would get you in trouble, Delilah.”
“And once again, you have been proven right,” I replied forlornly. “I’m sorry I dragged you into all this mess, Aunt Vi.”
“Psh. It’s none of my business. Like I said before, you’re both grown adults, and you’re perfectly capable of making your own stupid decisions.” She paused as we sidestepped into the road so a woman with a pram didn’t have to go around us, and she nodded with a warm smile at her. “Besides, I am but a hopeless romantic, and so I shall spend the duration of your marriage hoping you’ll both have an epiphany and fall in love.”
“Accept my condolences in advance.”
“I shall not. Failing an epiphany, perhaps one of you will befall a great accident, get amnesia, and I can convince your befuddled brain that you’re wildly in love with each other.”
“Can we save that one for the last resort?” I asked dryly. “I don’t want to tempt fate, and the thought of Fred believing he’s helplessly in love with me is a bit too much for me to bear.”
She laughed, its bright sound ringing out and drawing everyone’s attention. “Very well. Perhaps I should start going to church again. You know, have a little chat with the big man upstairs.”
“I’m not sure if God would be pleased to see you return to His house just to ask for something like that.”
“Hmm, you’re right. Should I take an offering instead?”
“Do Christians make offerings?”
“I don’t know, but I was watching that anime Mel likes, and they made offerings to the Buddha. I wondered if perhaps we should start giving God some presents every now and then. Show our appreciation a bit more, you know?”
I stared at her for a moment. Now, I was by no means an expert in religion, and God only knew—literally—that I hadn’t stepped foot in a church to worship since I was forced into it in primary school, but I didn’t think that was how it worked.
“I’m not sure if God operates on a quid-pro-quo basis,” I said slowly. “If you want Him to listen to you, maybe just start praying a bit more regularly.”
“Do you think He hears you more if you’re in a church? Maybe I should confess my sins.”