“I know. I’ve got you programmed into my phone now.”
Which reminds me. “How’d you get my number?”
“Isaac.”
Oh, right. Of course. “I see. So, what would you like to discuss?”
Without wasting time, he jumps right in. “Andi wants to do it.”
“She wants me to help her?”
“Yeah, but not at school.”
“Okay.” I pause, needing to ask this. “What about you? You were pretty adamant that you didn’t want me to help.”
“Andi wants the help. I’m not going to deny my kid the help she needs if she wants it.”
I see. “After school. She could come to my room—”
“No. At the farm. You can bring her out or I can pick her up and you can follow us out. Either way.”
“I’ll bring her out.”
“Twice a week. She’s got chores to do, so two days a week will have to be it.” There’s hesitation, then he adds, “And I don’t want this to be a formal school thing. No paperwork. It’s just my best friend’s sister helping my kid out.”
Just Isaac’s sister doing him a favor. “Sure. All right. How about Tuesday and Thursday?” I’ve got kickboxing classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. “You’ll need to let the school know I’m driving her home those days.You’llhave to do that.”
“Fine. I’ll take care of it. Talk to you later.” Then he hangs up without waiting for a response.
“I guess that’s it then.” We’re doing this thing.
* * *
On the following Tuesday,I see Andi at our usual spot on the grass near the front steps at our agreed-upon pick up spot. As I approach her, I say as cheerily as possible, “You ready, Andi?”
She shrugs. “Sure.”
It makes me wonder if she really wants this or if Nash talked her into it. “You sure you want to do this?”
“Yep.”
A first grader of very few words. Usually those little people chatter on incessantly about their day. I guess I’ll have to coax it out of her. “How’s the calf?”
She turns her head slowly and replies, “She ain’t gonna be right, but she’ll live.”
“Oh, that’s good.” I think. What does she mean “She ain’t gonna be right”? I’m afraid to ask, and that’s coming from a farm girl. I’ve seen a lot of things from my days working with my dad and brother, but that statement was ominous. I’ve got it! “I’d like to see her while I’m out there today.”
Andi raises one brow and shrugs. “Suit yourself.”
God, this kid makes me want to crack up constantly, but she’s so dang serious. “Did you name her?”
“Cyclops.”
Oh, dear. “I see.”
“Good one of you can.”
Andi Watson says the darnedest things. The urge to giggle is strong.Stupid nerves.Thinking of the animal curbs the giggle impulse. Poor little calf.
