The Hostage by A.G. Kirkham

Author:A.G. Kirkham [Kirkham, A.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781990746154
Publisher: A.K. Kirkham
Published: 2023-07-04T18:30:00+00:00

TWELVE

Bitch

GWENDOLYN

“I need to start going home at night. One of these days, I’m going to be late.” It’s too late to do anything with my hair, but I pin it up on the sides, away from my eyes, and let the waves hang loose around my shoulders. I’m lucky to have hair that’s easy to manage, but I would like to spend more than five minutes on it. After all, I’m going to work, and I want to look nice.

Most people think that because it’s usually kids who come to the library, it doesn’t matter how polished I look. I think it’s more important. Kids are impressionable, and they’re also little parrots. They mimic what they see and hear. We are their role models.

When I see kids who are misbehaving, I know there’s more to it than that. Something could be happening at home or at school. What seems like small problems to adults are a big deal for the little guys. Losing a best friend because of a tiff or having them move away seems insignificant to parents, but it can be a huge problem for a child.

I like to take my time to get to know the kids who walk through our door. I love it when they come from the local schools. I get to learn their interests and what kind of books excite them. From fairy princesses and ogres to autobiographies from sports heroes, there’s something for each of them.

Today, we have Mrs. Blade’s class coming back. We started reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, and today, we’re going to get through the next few chapters.

“Bring some of your stuff here,” Caleb says.

I stop dead in my tracks. “Pardon?”

“I’ll clean out a drawer.”

I know I sound like an idiot when I repeat, “You’ll clean out a drawer?”

“Yeah, babe. No big deal.” He shrugs and walks out the bedroom door, like it’s a natural thing to invite someone into your personal space. I don’t know what to make of it, and perhaps now isn’t the time to ask questions, seeing as how I’ve got to get over to my place.

“Caleb, I’m heading out,” I call as I make my way to the front door. Before I can open it, he’s by my side and kissing me. This man has a power over me that I just can’t fight. I melt like a puddle in his arms.

“Your place tonight. I don’t like that you have to rush around in the morning,” he says. He notices how I like an unhurried morning and is finding ways to make it easier on me.

“Thank you. I’ll cook tonight.”

He cups my cheek and slides his nose against mine. “Later, baby.”

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.