“Andi Watson.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” She leans closer. “And let’s keep this on the down-low. Nash doesn’t need any more town gossip coming his way.”
I forgot that Nicole and Nash used to run in the same crowd in high school. Actually, I think Nicole was best friends with Nash’s ex-girlfriend, She-who-shall-not-be-named. I nod slowly. “No, he doesn’t.”
* * *
A little after1:00 p.m., I’m on the floor putting a stack of books back on the bottom shelf when I hear a knock on my door.
“Come in.”
I hear the knob turn and watch as the door opens slowly. “Miss Harmon?” a little voice says.
“I’m here.” I push myself up to standing and nearly gasp. That’s when I see her. The spitting image of Nashville Watson in little girl form. She’s got the same dark hair and eyes and the identical wary expression on her face. “You must be Andi.”
“Yep,” she answers, making the p at the end pop. “Here.” She hands me a book and a brown envelope. “Mrs. Andrews told me to give this to you.”
“All right.” I look down at a book I know they’re reading in first grade. “Are you reading this in class right now?”
Andi shrugs.
“I love this story.” It’s about a kitten that gets caught in a school bus engine. It gets discovered and becomes the bus mascot. Sure, that’d never happen in real life, but that’s not what reading is about. Most of the time, anyway. “Do you like it?”
She shrugs again.
“You know what? I’d sure like a break from cleaning.” I point to the stack of books on the floor. “Do you want to sit with me and read it, or do you need to be back to class right away?”
I’m giving her a chance to go if she chooses. She looks around at my colorful room, turning her body as she checks out the entire place. I’ve done my best to make the room colorful and fun but also cozy and welcoming thanks to my beanbag reading nook. I point to that spot. “We can sit in the book nook.”
“But, Mrs. Andrews….”
“Won’t mind a bit. I’ll walk you back and tell her I wanted some book nook time.” I wink at Andi.
I watch as she slowly breathes in then out. She’s thinking long and hard about whether this is a good idea or not. When she blows out a breath, she says, “Fine.”
I want to laugh. This little person is extremely serious, just like her daddy. I’m sure Nash laughs now and then, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it myself. “Awesome. Come on. I love this book.” I clap my hands happily. “You sit there.” I point to the green beanbag chair. I plop down in the red one. They’re close enough to each other that I can hold the book and both of us can read it. Andi sits down on the edge of her beanbag chair. She’s still not sure about any of this. I open to page one. “Ready?” I ask her.
Andi nods and scoots back into the chair.
“Riding the bus isn’t much fun.” I turn the page as I also look over at Andi. “Not usually, anyway.” I turn the page again. “Say?” I look at Andi. “Do you want to help me read?”
Andy slowly shakes her head.
“Maybe the next page?” I read more. “Riding the bus used to be boring….” I hold the book up for her. “Do you want to read this part?”
With a harrumph, she leans forward, “Fine.” Taking the book from me, she’s quiet at first. Then she speaks so softly, I need to lean forward to hear her. “Un-Un-Unteel.” She pauses. “Unteel ye-yes-yester-yesterday.”
“Good.” I smile at Andi. “My turn?”
Andi nods.
“That’s when we discovered our stowaway.” I hold the page up and point to the picture of the hood of the bus popped open and a calico kitten sitting on top of the motor.
“That would never happen,” Andi deadpans.
“Oh? What wouldn’t?”
