The Emancipation of Veronica McAllister_A Middle Falls Time Travel Story by Shawn Inmon

Author:Shawn Inmon [Inmon, Shawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pertime Publishing
Published: 2018-05-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Hello, Danny.” Veronica shifted in her seat. “I thought you were still off at school.” Veronica’s words were calm, but her heart was beating a trip hammer rhythm in her chest.

Danny hadn’t changed. He was still tall and lean, with his hair still neatly cut into a short crew cut. He looked a bit older because of the white, short-sleeved shirt and tie he wore while working in the store.

Danny shook his head. “Dad had a heart attack a few weeks ago, and he isn’t able to work. It looks like he might not be able to come back at all. We’re just glad we’ve still got him with us. But, it left us short-handed, so I came home to help out. If he’s able to come back to work, I’ll go back to Portland and finish up my last semester. If not, it’s not that big a deal. I’ve learned everything I need to learn. I’m only missing the degree, and I don’t really need that.”

“So sorry to hear about your dad, Danny,” Veronica said, trying to gracefully get up from the couch and failing to do so. “He’s a nice man.”

Danny nodded, thoughtfully, and reached out a hand to help her up. “I’ve been back for a few weeks. I meant to call you, but ...” he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Veronica laid a gentle hand on his arm. “Hey, don’t worry about it. No guilt, remember? That’s why we did it this way. You’re a good person, and I never wanted to be a source of bad feelings for you.”

“I know, I know. You’re right. And still, I feel it. It’s not your fault. You were the absolute best about it, and that makes me feel worse still.”

Veronica laughed a little. “There’s no way around this Judeo-Christian guilt we feel, no matter how adult we try to be, is there?”

“I guess not. Are you seeing anyone?”

“A few people, but nothing serious. I’ve been keeping it light.” Not to mention, keeping it boring.

“I was wondering if you would go out to dinner with me?”

Veronica tilted her head, considering. “You left your girlfriend back in Portland, then?”

“No. Didn’t have a girlfriend. I mean, I did for a while, but that ended a few months ago.” Danny sighed, a rueful smile playing across his face. “It didn’t end well.”

Knowing you, Danny Coleman, that likely means she cheated on you somehow. And now, the small-town girl back home, steady and dependable, looks pretty good.

Veronica stood toe to toe with Danny. His 6’2” towered over her 5’5. Somehow, he seemed the smaller of the two.

After another moment’s consideration, Veronica said, “When?”

A broad smile broke out on Danny’s face. “Is tonight too soon?”

“No, tonight is fine. I live over in the Rivercrest apartments. B-3. I’ll go out to dinner with you if you’ll throw free delivery in on this couch,” she said, nudging it with her toe.

“We offer free delivery on everything we sell.”

“I never said I was a tough negotiator.

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.