Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“There’s a whole lot to you, Carter Rowdy. That much is for sure. I’ve learned a lot about you today and I think I’d like to learn more. Especially about this soft and gentle side you insist on hiding from the world.”
He chews through a cookie. Thoroughly. To the point I think it’s less about healthy eating habits and more about buying time. Like he’s trying to build up the courage for something.
“What do you say about you and me going out to get some dinner tonight? After my lesson is done?”
Did... did he just ask me out? He totally just asked me out.
I freeze in place, unsure of how to respond to his words. “Um, uh... sure, sounds good to me.”
My brain thaws enough to realize that I was talking automatically and just agreed to it in my usual agreeable nature.
But my reaction isn’t that I’ve just made a terrible mistake.
It’s worse. It's that I’ve done something I really want to do, but I shouldn’t have.
The front door opens, and it’s my mother. I have never been more relieved to see her in my life.
“Oh, Carter, you’re here,” my mother says as she sets down her bag. “Come into the music room and we’ll get started very soon. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“It’s really no problem, ma’am. I was early.” Carter gets up and steps closer to me to whisper in my ear. “Let me head home afterwards to get cleaned up and I’ll be back to pick you up at seven. Sound good?”
“Yes,” I say, and my natural agreeableness speaking for me again. “I’ll be ready.”
He leaves me be as he heads into my mother’s designated lesson room and closes the door.
I scarf some cookies down, hoping the sugar rush will overwhelm the million other emotions bubbling around inside me right now.
Can I get out of it by saying I filled myself up on cookies?
No, that’s silly.
Why would I want to get out of it, anyway?
You’ve dug the most wonderful grave for yourself, Cadence. Now you should just go get ready to have a wonderful evening lying in it.
And hoping that Dad never finds out what you’re doing.
3
CARTER
“Alright, take it a little higher. No, not that high. And hold it. That’s right. You got it. Perfect.”
I’m singing my heart out for Sally Landon as she plays along on her piano. It’s tougher than I expected, trying to stretch my vocal chords like they are taffy, but I’ve been at this for a while. I’ve built the wind to keep up those notes and to keep singing efficiently.
I hit the final refrain, and take a deep breath when the song is all done. This is one of my mother’s old favorites from when she sang in church. Sally is one of my mother’s old friends and she’s as well versed in my mother’s tastes as I am.
“You get better and better every week, Carter. I’m forever impressed with how much you’re taking after your mother.”
I can’t help but feel a little bashful from her compliments. Not to go all Mommy issues on people, but she’s been a good beacon of support, and I know her words are genuine, and she’s not just trying to make me feel better about myself.
“Are you ever going to share your wonderful baritone voice with someone besides me? The church would love to hear you among our choir.”
I laugh. “Not likely, Mrs. Landon. This is just for me.”
“Singing is about sharing the joy of music with others, Carter. I think if you’re really trying to follow in your mother’s footsteps, you have to realize that. She never silenced herself for anyone.”
“Really, I’m fine. This is just for me, I assure you.”
“The church would really love you, Carter.”
“Especially not there,” I wave my hand in protest at her. “A guy like me doesn’t belong within ten miles of a church.”
“You know that isn’t true. And not just on a technical level because our church is only a single mile from here.”
“I’m a wreck, Mrs. Landon. I get in fights. I’m trouble on two legs. Do you really want me to start fights with the organ player?”
“You wouldn’t do that, Carter. You’re more of a good soul than you realize.”
Now she IS just blowing smoke up my ass.
I’m surprised I’ve been able to focus on the lesson at all. Not after I asked Cadence out and she actually agreed.
I knew I couldn’t trust myself around her. Not because I would hurt her or anything, but because I knew I’d whip myself into asking her out. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and had to use common sense to talk myself out of.
I guess something in those chocolate chip cookies made me lower my guard.
I wonder if I should mention this to Sally. See if she can put a stop to my horrible mistake. Like, ask permission or something.