Jenny Is Dead: ...and her brother is out for revenge by Grace E Summers

Author:Grace E Summers [Summers, Grace E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-02-14T22:00:00+00:00

~ * ~

“I’m going outside for a smoke.” I take one last sip of my coffee and stand.

Angie lowers her fork and eyes me. “You didn’t even finish your breakfast.”

“Just not hungry, baby.”

“If you wait, we’ll come out there with you. Its nice and cool out.”

“Finish eating while I smoke.”

She pokes her eggs. “I’m almost done.”

Before walking away, I glance at Julie, babbling like she’s a part of the conversation. “See you in a few.”

As I sit on the front porch and enjoy the cool morning air, I ponder ways to confront Gina about Julie’s picture on Hazel’s fridge. So what if she’s Julie’s Godmother. Why did Hazel suddenly turn nervous and lie about her being a boy?

I take a draw from the cigarette and blow the smoke in a long stream. Hazel said Gina would be in Charleston for the weekend. I should go there and confront both of them at the same time. My gut isn’t going to settle until I know why Hazel lied. I thump the cigarette and knock off the ashes and take another draw.

The screen door opens.

“Boy, it’s sure nice out here.” Angie sits next to me with Julie on her lap. “Maybe fall will come early. It’s been a really hot summer.”

“It has, but I’m not ready for winter. Everything dies.”

“And then in spring,” she grins all positive, “everything comes back to life.”

“True.” After taking my last draw, I drop the cigarette into the tin can. “Before I head to the shop, I need to make a trip to town. Need anything while I’m there?”

She wipes Julie’s drool with a cloth diaper. “No, not that I can think of. Buddy, I know we’ve talked about this, but since we have Julie, will you consider stop smoking?”

“Already been thinking about it.” When I look at Julie, it’s hard to resist taking her in my arms. “Come here, little one.” After setting her on my lap, I simply stare at her. “You want Daddy to stop smoking?” It’s a bit weird referring to myself as ‘Daddy,’ even though I have been for almost six months.

With her knuckles in her mouth, Julie jibber-jabbers. Not only is it a wonderful sound, but it makes me smile. Her blue eyes stare back at me as she touches my nose with her other hand, still babbling.

Angie leans against me. “Tell your daddy that you want him to stop that nasty habit.”

“Don’t worry. I will. Maybe by Fall I can cut back half and then taper off by the end of the year.”

“Really?” Angie leans back with her mouth open. “You’ll really stop?”

I give her a quick kiss on the lips. “Yes, really.”

“Ew,” she scowls and wipes her lips. “That’s nasty.”

“Sorry, baby. I forgot.”

A truck turns into the driveway but stops. My heart, however, is going full speed ahead.

“Is that Ben’s truck?”

As he sits at the end of my driveway, there’s hope Ben will come down to the house.

“Yeah, it is.” I bring Julie to my chest as I get to my feet and stand, watching and waiting with anticipation.

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