Page 12 (1/2)

"Yesbefore you’re late to class" She focuses back on my mother "What do you think? Tea or the book first?" Her voice is gentle and entleness h I’ my mother

"Clara, wait!" my mother calls out

I turn around "Yeah?"

She motions for me to come over "I need to talk to you"

I walk over "What’s up?"

She gestures for et to scatter your father’s ashes We’re running out of time" She presses a savetoward a crystal blue sky

"Who took this picture, Mo the creased photo So this is where my father wants to be laid to rest It’s pretty

She simply smiles at me "It’s pretty, isn’t it? Your father sure loved it there And, if you don’t get his ashes there soon, it’ll be too late"

"Too late for what?"

"For hiet his peace"

I tuck the photo into the back pocket of my jeans then turn to Nelli "Make sure she takes her pills this afternoon," I tell her "She’s been spitting theive the?" Nelli flicks her wrists, shooingenough to know the routine"

I hitch the handle ofoodbye to the both of them, crack the front door open, and stick my head out After I check for the rooster in the poorly lit hallway, I step out and cautiously walk past the nu toward the exit When Ipaths with the crazy bird, I breathe in relief

The sun blares down on me as I start up the sidewalk and veer toward the bus stop on the corner of the street But I slaler pulls up to the curb in front of the corin as Jax Hensley leans over and opens the passenger door Grinning will only e I need incoer than uess it Not only is he extres that drew me to him--but he looks older too With brown hair, hazel eyes surrounded by dark eyelashes, and full lips that I always findout, he drips adorable sexiness

"What are you doing here?" I approach the vehicle but don’t get in I haven’t heard froot a call fro ue, but I didn’t have tihtshift on Saturday "I thought we only met up on Fridays"