Cookie Cutter by Jo Richardson

Author:Jo Richardson [Richardson, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Bird Publishing House
Published: 2015-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The next morning, I’m running late for work and I’ve promised to drop Ally off at school. As I sit in the car with the engine running, I try to look for Carter since it is garbage day . . . but he doesn’t come out. Eventually, I have to go, and by some stroke of luck, I still manage to make it into the office on time.

The day goes fast. There’s a lot to do for Mark’s presentation. In fact, I’m at the office so late that not only has Ally found a ride home but she is in bed by the time I get home. Carter’s lights are off across the street as well. I’m tense, and achy. I take a long, hot bath and force myself to mentally walk through my day tomorrow instead of mentally walking my way over to Carter’s and committing subdivision suicide by sleeping with the house flipper. The bath works but the psychic preparation does not, but I manage to fall asleep at a decent hour this time.

Saturday morning and I swear I’m going to cancel this date – because it’s the smart thing to do. I make a full-fledged attempt to knock on Carter’s front door bright and early, before I have to leave for my carnival day errands, but he doesn’t answer.

I’m about to tell him I know he’s in there when a car approaches. Alex pulls into her driveway. Coming home from who knows where. I want to pinch myself for thinking the exact things I’ve heard Meg say so many times before. And it’s none of my business. She sits in her car for way too long. She’s probably waiting for me to disappear but I can out wait her. I have a teenager: I’m extremely patient. A proven fact when she exits her vehicle roughly five minutes later.

“Hey, there, Alex,” I say with a smile and a wave and some sort of cat like sneak attack walk I’ve acquired apparently.

She eyes me carefully as she makes her way to the front door. She adjusts the grip she has on her keys the same way I have many times, when I’m paranoid I’ll be mugged in broad daylight at the grocery store parking lot. I follow her but give her space. I can’t blame her for not trusting me to just want to say hello.

“Listen.” I stop her as she’s about to bolt inside and leave me standing here looking about as ridiculous as I feel.

“I just wanted to apologize.” I may as well handle this like a band aid on a bad cut. Rip it off fast and painfully.

Alex stops and gives me the same look she did a few moments ago. Approach with extreme caution.

“For . . .?” she asks, as though she’s testing me.

This is my in. I just hope she accepts my sincerity. “I don’t know you.” I’m unsure all of a sudden, what I’m going to say myself. I’m still feeling the shame of my attitude.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.