Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“Stay put. I can’t have you sliding off the road either.” Gramps goes to respond but stops when I say, “Please.”
“Fine, go find our girl. Call me the minute you do. The house line should be good in case cell towers go out.” Last year, we were all snowed in, and a Nor’easter took down the power lines and cell phone towers. I couldn’t get to Gramps with all the snow surrounding us, and I swore to God if he was that bullheaded again, I’d carry his ass out. Shows how much of a pushover I am. We’re about to get more than a foot of snow, which can turn into more depending on the weather, and look where he’s at.
“Will do. Call the Sherriff for me, and see if he’s seen her car? That might help me narrow down my search. I’m going to put my boots on and grab a jacket. My cell will be on me.” It’ll take a minute for my truck to warm up. I probably should have brought the tow truck home, except it’s uncomfortable as fuck for Gramps, and I missed driving my truck.
“Alright, be safe, Gabe McCoy, very fucking safe.”
“Always, love you.” I know he’s worried. I would be, too, if my only living relative was about to drive out of town to look for someone who may or may not even be in town.
“You too. Get our girl.” We hang up, and then I’m rushing out of my bedroom. I’ve got a gut feeling I’m not going to like what I find, and my gut has never let me down before.
9
CARSYNN
“I shouldn’t have taken another stroll around the mall. I shouldn’t have driven into another town without checking the weather. Never again. I shouldn’t have done a lot today.” When I left the mall, it was because the stores were closing. There’s something about walking around, having no destination in mind, and letting your brain not talk about all of life’s little nuances. A necessity I didn’t know I so desperately needed. The sun shined in the distance, still high in the sky, not a cloud in sight. The same could be said for the rain. A beautiful winter day, and while yes, I was walking around indoors, I still enjoyed the weather Mother Nature gave us.
I almost stayed to watch a movie in the theatre but knew I’d be pushing it. Boy, was it tempting. I have no clue what’s playing or if it would have been any good, but since I spent enough money, I refrained. While my apartment has all the creature comforts of home. Sometimes it’d be nice to watch a movie outside of my house too. I kind of miss the idea of getting lost in something other than a book. Next time, I tell myself, I’ll splurge and get a massive tub of popcorn, extra butter, and a Coke, too. At least it won’t be like the last time I caught a movie I went on a Sunday afternoon, a completely different place and time. Mom and Dad were fighting so bad that I didn’t dare attempt sneaking in. I backed away from the apartment, paid for one ticket, and stayed for three movies. I was also early on in my teen years, still learning the way things worked in such a volatile household. It’s sad to think I believed the way they loved each other was normal. I soon learned differently once I found solace in a good book. They may be fiction, but they were still a whole lot better than what my parents showed me. My fictional characters showed me when people made mistakes, they righted the wrongs, they showed unconditional love, and they found the one person who meant everything to them. Maybe one day, I’ll have a love for myself. I can almost believe it, too, especially after the way Gabe McCoy lit up my whole body with one small glance.
“Get your head out of the clouds, Carsynn. Focus on the road,” I mutter, taking my hand off the steering wheel to turn the radio off. I had it turned low, but damn, was it driving me crazy. Silence is a necessity. All the talking coming through the radio station was not helping my current situation. The whole drive on the interstate was fine. My car didn’t shake, rattle, or roll, unlike a certain song that talks about the movements a person can make. Even as I drove in the slow lane and went the minimum speed limit. There were lights on each side, enough light from the setting sun. It didn’t matter that semi drivers as well as others went around me. I was completely okay with it. I would have done similar, you know, minus the rain coming down in sheets, my windshield wipers having the time of their life trying to keep up. I was doing fine, really, or at least I was until I turned off the interstate onto the two-lane highway into Plaine Hill.