Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Danica nods. “That’s a plus but it’s actually more convenient to Travis’s school. With me working now, it’s nice that he can take the bus if needed.”
“He goes to a private school, right?”
She puts the water in a small drawstring satchel and tosses in an apple from a bowl on the counter. “Harrington and it’s wonderful. Travis has excelled there.”
I move closer to a bookshelf with knickknacks and picture frames. I peruse the various shots, most of which are of Travis, when Danica comes to stand beside me. I shoot her a glance as her gaze roams over them with a fond smile.
Focusing on one, I point to it. It’s of a boy and girl standing in a backyard covered in mud as they grin at the camera. The little boy is missing his front tooth. “Is that Mitch?”
Danica laughs. “Yeah… he was probably about seven in that picture. I was only five. We were catching earthworms so we could go fishing.”
That shocks me and I look closer at the photo.
And yeah, that’s Danica. “Were y’all neighbors or something?”
“Yup. Our backyards butted up against each other’s and there was a big hole in the chain-link fence. We would always slip through and play in each other’s backyards. Our moms were good friends, passing recipes over the fence type of thing. Mitch’s dad would take us fishing and we did everything together, particularly in the summers. We happened to live in a neighborhood that was mostly older, retired folks so we were the only kids within a several-block radius. We had no choice but to be friends.”
Laughing, I turn to face her. “Please tell me you got Mitch to play dolls with you.”
Danica laughs and shakes her head. “Mitch lucked out. I was the classic tomboy.”
I sort of knew that Danica and Mitch had dated in high school but I didn’t realize they’d known each other far longer. That’s a pretty neat story.
I give another quick look at the photo before grinning at her. “Dating since the tender age of five years old.”
Danica snorts and turns from the bookcase. “Hardly. We were buddies for many, many years. Mitch didn’t look at me like I was a girl until I turned fifteen. That’s when the braces came off, the acne cleared up and my boobs finally started to develop. I was a late bloomer.”
I bark out a laugh, imagining a funny image of Mitch one day walking into a room and seeing Danica for the first time as a young woman. He probably was wondering what the hell had happened to her. She probably flashed those dimples at him and it was all over.
“By the way,” I say as she grabs the satchel, presumably to give to Travis, “I got the information you texted me and all the jerseys have been ordered. I’ll have them in hand on Saturday morning.”
“I cannot thank you enough for doing that,” she breathes out. “I think you’ll pretty much guarantee me the sponsorship.”
“I don’t mind helping at all,” I assure her.
“Do you want to meet me there?”
She’s talking about the birthday party I agreed to go to with her so she can hopefully secure a big corporate sponsorship for the foundation. Brienne came through for me and managed to get eleven Camden Poe jerseys that I can hand out and sign at the party.
“How about I pick you up?” I suggest, trying to suppress a laugh. “It’s supposed to snow and no offense but men drive better than women.”
Danica’s eyes go round, her mouth drops open and she backhands me in the stomach. “Wow… I had no clue you were so sexist.”
I maintain a straight face. “I’m just saying… if you look at the statistics—”
She puts her hands on her hips and glares at me. “I’ll have you know I was born and raised in Massachusetts and I guarantee you I can drive as well as you can in the snow.”
There’s no holding back the laughter and I lift my palms in peace. “Fine, fine, fine. I’ve been put in my place.”
Which I really haven’t. I only offered the ride in case she preferred to carpool, but I didn’t want her to feel obligated. That was a good way to do it and I never once had a hesitation over teasing her. That’s a testament to my knowing her and I think I sort of forgot that we had a decent friendship over the years before Mitch died.
Danica rolls her eyes at me, her lips quirking upward.
“Shoot me a text with the address and what time you want me there.”
“Will do,” she says, then turns toward the foyer as the sound of thundering footsteps from above grabs our attention.
Travis comes flying down the stairs, skids across the wood floor and careens into the door before turning our way.