Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I slid him two replacement cards. “Nope. You?”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “Any kids?”
“No little monsters.”
He smirked. “Probably why you’re playing cards with a ten-year-old. It’s not very good parenting.”
I chuckled. “You’re a little shit, you know that?”
He wagged a finger at me and tsked. “Using bad language with a minor, too. Maybe you shouldn’t procreate ever.”
I was more impressed he knew the word procreate than I was offended. I pushed a Cheez Doodle into the middle of the table and then added two more, upping the bet. “Call.”
Ryder turned over three fours. I grinned and turned over a full house, then swiped a Cheez Doodle from the bag and popped it into my mouth. “Serves you right.”
“I dropped the Cheez Doodles in that bag on the floor while you were in the bathroom,” Ryder said. “That’s why I haven’t eaten any. This place is filled with sick people. You’re probably gonna die now.”
I gagged and spit the Cheez Doodle out into a napkin. “Great. I might need to get some shots.”
“Really?”
“Nah. I have a good immune system.”
Ryder went quiet for a moment. “Is my mom gonna die?” He swallowed. “I won’t tell Molly if you tell me the truth. I can take it.”
“No, your mom isn’t going to die. I mean, we’re all gonna die someday, but when we’re old and wrinkly and get those gross brown spots all over our skin that no one wants to look at—not anytime soon. Your mom is doing great. She’s kicking ass. The doctor told her it could take up to thirty days for her to be able to have you guys visit, but it’s only been less than two weeks. That should tell you how well she’s doing.”
“Or…they’re letting us see her because she’s gonna die.”
“She’s not going to die, Ryder. In fact, there’s a good chance she could be cured when this is all over.”
His shoulders relaxed a bit. “Are you gonna marry my aunt?”
“I don’t know. Maybe if I’m lucky.”
“Lucky about what?” Naomi’s voice caught me by surprise. I hadn’t expected her to be back down here so quickly. She and Molly had only gone up to visit maybe twenty minutes ago.
Ryder pointed to me. “He wants to marry you.”
Naomi lifted a brow. “Oh? Did he ask for your blessing?”
“My what?”
She chuckled and put her hands on my shoulders. “They asked that the kids visit for an hour or less, so I’m back to swap out.”
Molly had on a yellow dress and a matching yellow bow in her hair. She joined her brother on the other side of the table, sharing his chair, which he didn’t look too thrilled about. “Get your own place to sit.”
“You’re going to visit Mom!”
Ryder stood, intentionally bumping his sister when he got up. I didn’t have a sister close in age, but I imagined if I did, my relationship would be similar. He grabbed the cards I’d brought from the table. “Can I take these? I taught myself some card tricks to show Mom. But I forgot mine.” He nodded toward his sister. “Because this butthead was rushing me out the door.”
I nodded. “Go for it.”
A half hour later, Ryder and Naomi returned. Ryder was smiling and laughing. It seemed the medicine these two needed was their mother.
“How was your visit?” I asked.
Ryder shrugged, playing it cool. “Fine.”
Naomi smiled. “Frannie asked if you would mind visiting, too?”
“Me?”
She nodded.
“Uh. Sure.” A sinking feeling settled into my stomach. Had she somehow found out what I’d done?
“You’ll have to suit up because of germs. They’ll give you a gown, booties, and a mask and stuff to wear.” Naomi smiled again. “You’ll love it. It’s a germaphobe’s dream outfit.”
I laughed and stood. “What floor?”
“Eight. Stop at the nurses’ station as soon as you get off the elevator, and they’ll give you everything you need and show you to the room. Oh, and Frannie is Francesca Mason. Mason is her married name.”
“Got it.”
My nerves were at war with my curiosity as I rode the elevator up to the eighth floor. As Naomi had said, the nurses at the station gave me everything I needed and pointed me to room 810. I entered, suited up like a doctor about to go into surgery rather than a visitor, and held up my gloved hands. “I’m here for the one o’clock lobotomy.”
“Hey, Dawson.” Frannie had on a mask, but I could see by the way her eyes crinkled that she was smiling. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. It’s good to see you. You look great.”
“Thank you for lying.”
An awkward silence fell between us. I think I was waiting for the reason I’d been summoned, but maybe she just wanted another visitor? She’d been here for almost three weeks, after all. I started to say something at the same time she did.
I smiled and held out a hand. “Sorry. After you.”