Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“You know him and Kendall typically only see each other twice a year,” Puppet Boy innocently begins, tossing me a cautious look, wordlessly inquiring if he can continue. After receiving a small nod of approval, he does, “Well, because of that, in between those times, he makes her a box. He collects things he likes and souvenirs from places he’s been or things he’s done and then puts it all together and ships it to her, so that she has ‘a piece of him’ to last until the next time they see each other in person.”
Loud, dramatic groans are accompanied by my head falling backward. “It’s painful how romantic he is.”
“He learned that from watching you, Weston,” Clark gingerly reminds. “New word search booklets left in the backseat for Bryn on longer road trips. Replacing the pizza cutter with the Star Trek one you found at a thrift store. Always bringing back something for everyone whenever you travel, even if it’s simply candy from the closest local shop you can find.”
His mouth bobs around, but no sound escapes.
“Wyland is no different.” Clark politely folds his hands in front of him. “And he earns the money he spends to buy Kendall those objects himself.”
Surprise pulls his brow tightly together.
“Dog walking is his weekly assigned chore for an allowance-”
“Which I love because it’s teaching him to work and save,” I approvingly interject.
“-however, he walks J.T. and Janae’s dogs as well.”
“Which Nae loves because our boys can and do find any excuse in the world not to do it.”
“The groomers come for the dogs every two weeks, but Wy grooms them – aside from washing them post swims – in between visits along with J.T. and Janae’s.”
“Again, wife loves it.”
“He also does random things such as help Brae clean her violin bow, run lines with Blake when she can’t sleep before a performance, and recently volunteered to tutor a classmate who couldn’t afford one.” Pride pushes his shoulders a bit back. “For these…unprompted acts of kindness…I…in turn…often provide him…with a bit of financial kindness that adds to the funds he uses to cultivate the aforementioned box.”
“I just pay for shipping,” I innocently announce on a shrug. “There’s a loophole we can use through the company – Wilcox not The Institute – that makes international shit super cheap and super-fast.”
“It’s similar to the way your father always ensured that you – as well as J.T. – always had what you financially needed to impress or woo the young ladies who came into your lives without reluctance. You two could’ve easily been lazy, ungrateful brats who squandered every penny they were given and failed to ever show an ounce of appreciation for what it took to earn it, yet you weren’t. You were mindful whenever large purchases for you were being made. And went the extra mile to assist me in the littlest tasks despite not needing to. And never expected or requested or demanded gifts, but always expressed gratitude for them no matter how big or small. It’s why whenever you fought harder about something, Will was likely to cave.” His eyebrows lift in additional insinuation. “Because if you were willing to fight for it, it must’ve been worth fighting for.”
“That’s where the twins get that from…” comes out of me just above a whisper.
“Yes.” Clark battles against the grin trying to grow on his face. “Once upon a time, Weston didn’t fight tooth and nail for every decision. Once upon a time, he was exactly like the twins. Carefree. Easygoing. It was their death that shifted that behavior.” His glare glides back to the man who might as well be his son. “And it’s their death that prevents you from giving your son the only thing he’s asking for this Christmas.”
Guilt noticeably creeps into his expression.
Has him shuffling his feet.
“You’re afraid history will repeat itself.” Sternness seeps into his stare. “You’re afraid if you don’t tell him no when your father told you yes, that he may end up suffering the same fate.” Clark creeps closer. “That there will be a terrible accident, and he will lose this family. That he will lose you. That he’ll have to finish growing up without his father like you did; however, your fear is what’s making that a reality with or without an accident, Weston.”
“You are what’s causing him to grow up without that relationship,” I quietly state. “I understand being afraid of bad shit happening to us – bad shit always seems to happen to us – but trying to keep us locked up whenever it snows, or the wind blows wrong isn’t the answer. And refusing to at least explain to him why you’re so hellbent against traveling right now is simply doing more damage to an already fucked up relationship.”
“Go and talk to your son, Wes.” Clark lovingly insists.