Maddman in Dallas by Stacy Lane

Author:Stacy Lane [Lane, Stacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-03T16:00:00+00:00

“Sunshine, I’m heading out. You remember how to lock up, right?”

“Um.” I tap a finger against my chin. “Gosh, is it the key? That sounds too easy. I know! I do the hokey-pokey and turn myself about—”

“The code, smartass.” Bodhi stood at his desk like a grumpy big bear, but I caught the hint of a smile.

Grinning extra wide, I reply, “Got it.”

“Some of the boys are next door. Get one of them to walk you out.”

“Bo, I can handle myself. I grew up here, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, but you’re a city-slicker now. I’m afraid you’ve gone soft on us.”

“I put up with you and all your cronies. I’m not a delicate flower.”

“Ain’t that the truth. Which reminds me.” Bo shuffles through the mess on his desk, retrieving a sheet of paper. He walks over to my station, holding the paper out. “Drew this up for you.”

My lashes lower.

A skull was sketched in bold pencil, the black and gray style familiar to how he first taught me so many years ago. Placed in the hollow eyes were the petals of sunflowers. The skull was framed with two triangles, the image spilling out over the thin lines. The only color in the picture was at the very center of the connecting angles. One sunflower eye, bright yellow.

“This is gorgeous.” I twist and turn the page as I examine his artwork.

“It’s yours.”

“Mine?”

“Something I drew up for you.” A very rare flush tints Bodhi’s cheeks. “Keep it. Frame it or stencil it, whatever you want. I know you don’t tattoo with color most of the time, but this skull flower was meant for our little badass Sunshine. Don’t want you to go forgetting us good ol’ boys, because we sure do miss you brightening this place up.”

I push up from my rollie chair and set the picture down. Wrapping my arms around his stocky waist, I squeeze Bo with a tight hug. He returns the embrace with one arm, squeezing me back, and then ruffling my hair.

Bo’s not big on sentiment, but he’s still a big old bear at heart.

“I love it, Bo.”

He mumbles a ‘you’re welcome’ and takes a step back.

I’ve never had a father, and Bodhi’s never asked to be a replacement. I don’t tell him this because I know it’ll freak him out more than giving a teenage girl the birds and bees conversation, but when I think about the missing parental figure from my life, I’m grateful I’ve at least had Bo through my adulthood.

I won’t ask for help, but he always knows when I need it. Whether it was help with taking Oran, or a safe pillow to lay our heads at night when Mom was on a binge. He and Bonnie always cooked for four in case we needed it. And not once has he expected anything in return.

One of these days, I’ll manage to finally say thank you—when the words don’t get choked up in my throat on the tears I try so hard to hold back.

Bodhi makes a gurgled noise in the back of his throat.

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.