Bogs turned to her. “Did what I promised, pretty girl. Got James Harris’s location. Trent will pick him up. We got a spot we’ve used before, he knows where to meet us.”
“No, you said you’d look into him, see what you could do.”
“I did, last night into this morning. Got everything I need. We’ll do it tonight.”
Stone pushed off the counter and walked to the door followed by T and waved bye. She didn’t look them in the eye but looked over her shoulder as they passed. This was happening too fast.
“You change your mind?”
She jerked back to Bogs, who had gotten up from the table and was approaching her. “You can always change your mind,pretty girl. But this is a one-time offer, you change your mind. Don’t wanna go through with it, that’s fine, but then it’s over. We don’t talk about it again. Can’t have this chasing us for the rest of our lives, ya know?”
She knew exactly what he meant. Either this would happen or it wouldn’t.I can’t dothis. She stared up at Bogs, noticing him search her face with a slight inkling of hope. He would do it but he didn’t want to.Think about your mom. Look at his face and think about your mom, you marry Bogs, she won’t be there. You have his babies, she’ll never hold them, they’ll never know her.
Her eyes welled and she shook her head. “I didn’t change my mind.” The corner of his mouth dropped but he nodded.
“Okay,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and she clung deep into his chest. “I got some stuff to do so we’ll hang here until we leave.” He kissed her head and pulled back. “You sure?”
She nodded not trusting herself to answer. She wasn’t sure, not even close. He had to run out for something, leaving her alone in the condo.
She stared at the TV, same as she had done for the last hour. She had no idea what the characters were saying, she was clueless to the plot, or if one even existed. She might as well have been looking at a blank screen.
She checked her phone every few minutes, the day was dragging yet flying by in an odd way.
It was her decision, one she had to make on her own. Bogs stood strong to what he said, never once trying to sway her in one direction or another. There was a small part of her that resented him for it. Why couldn’t this be an easy choice? When Taylor had spilled about the possibility, she was so set on it. It was an impulse without thought.
She did the one thing she swore she wouldn’t. She picked up her phone and hit send.
The phone rang twice before the graveled voice answered. “You okay. What’s wrong?”
She chuckled, sinking into the couch and rearing her feet on the couch and her knees to her chest. “Nothing’s wrong. Can’t a girl just call her dad?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, of course, my girl can call anytime. You don’t call enough or visit.”
She smiled. “I know I’m due for a visit.”
“We miss you, kid.”
“Yeah.” Until he said it, she didn’t realize how much she was missing them. “How’s it going?”
“Same day, different story.” He laughed and went on about work. He’d been promoted a few years back to manager of his department. With it came stories beyond compare. He gave her the stories usually preceded by “Don’t do this if you wanna keep your job” speeches. She heard him speak but she wasn’t listening. This decision was weighing heavily on her. This would be for him, too. She had lost her mom that day, and her dad had lost his world. All the plans they had were stolen from him. He put up a good front but he never truly recovered or moved on after her death.
“And your brother just got accepted into UT.”
She clapped her hands and bounced a little on the couch. For the first time all day, she felt happy. “I knew he would. Where is he? I wanna say congrats.”
“Where do ya think?”
She giggled. “On a date?”
“Where else? I swear that boy’s got ‘em lined up with a waiting list.” Her dad chuckled then the line went silent. “What’s going on, kid?”
She rested her head back on the couch and smiled. “Been thinking about Mom. I miss her.”
“Me too.” He paused. “She would have been so proud of you just like your old man.” He was constantly reminding them after her death how proud she’d be or that she was watching over them. Every event that happened and ever moment when she missed her themost, her dad made a point of telling her and her brother, “you can’t see her but she’s here.”
“You ever wonder what happened to James Harris, dad?”
“Hey sweetheart, come home. Take some days off and come see us.”
