Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“How many times have you and Harry had to apologize to one another over the past sixty years?”
“Oh, thousands,” she said, waving the question off as if that were a given. She smiled, looking down toward her bedroom, where Harry was resting. “But we said I love you a million times more. It’s not always about the mistakes made in relationships, friendships included. We are human. We are flawed. But it’s about the amount of time each side admits their mistakes and owns up to them, and then they work hard to never make the same mistakes over again. That’s what matters most. Theo hurt your feelings. Don’t let him think your heart is one that can be so easily played with. Let him know you’re still hurt by what he’s done.”
I laughed nervously. Conflict made me uncomfortable. “How am I supposed to bring that up after so much time has passed, though? What am I even supposed to say?”
“Oh, sweetheart. As a woman who has told off men her whole life, I will tell you exactly what to say. Now, pull out a pen and paper.” She crossed her legs and leaned in toward me. “You’ll want to take notes.”
“You owe me a big, fat, juicy apology,” I spat out toward Theo that afternoon as he waited by the dock with me. My arms were crossed, my nose scrunched, and I had on my game face of control. Molly said I needed a stern and powerful approach. I’d practiced my game face in the mirror for the past two hours.
Theo arched an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth slightly smirked.
I almost folded right then and there. His confusion was annoyingly attractive.
“An apology?” he questioned. “What for?”
“For how rude you were to me before we started fishing together. For how you said awful things to me. For how you called me fake. For how you left me and took the pizza. How you rejected my apology. For how you made me cry.”
He blinked at me a few times. “I didn’t make you cry.”
“Yes, you did. I just cried alone in my room so you couldn’t hear me.”
His bottom lip quivered for a second, and he stepped toward me. “Willow, I’m sor—”
“No!” I said, holding my hand up to pause his advancements. “I don’t want the apology now because you haven’t had enough time to sit on how you’ve made me feel. So well…sit on it. Think about it. And then come to me later on with the apology when you’ve sat in the guilt and suffering. Let that simmer, then come to me when you’re ready to be friends.”
He parted his mouth to speak, but I turned around in my flip-flops and walked away, shaking my butt back and forth as I did.
I didn’t know why, but Molly said a hip-shake exit made for the best apologies.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Willow News Update
Hey Old Man,
Theo and I are on the path of friendship. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’ve gone fishing with him a few times, but I haven’t caught any fish yet. Molly told me I shouldn’t fish with Theo again until he officially apologizes for being grumpy toward me before we built said friendship. I told Theo the same, so I’m not allowed to fish until he apologizes.
It’s been a few days, and I’m still waiting. And now I miss fishing. Who am I nowadays?
Anyway, I love you, Dad.
I’ll see you soon.
-Your Little Bird
PS Don’t worry. I’m okay.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Dad News Update
Little Bird,
What do you mean he has to apologize to you? What the hell did he do? I’ll come kick his ass.
You know, I used to fish with your mom. She loved it, too. I miss those memories. I miss your mom. I miss you. Sorry, I know how hard it is for you to talk about her, but with the approaching week ahead, I can’t help but think about both of you. Gosh, I miss you. Call me on Saturday if you’re up for a talk. Even if you’re not, I can sit on the phone with you and listen.
I love you, Willow.
-Your Old Man
PS I’ll always worry. But I know you’ll be okay.
PSS No, really. I’ll kick his ass.
A few more days passed without any fishing or conversation from Theo. When he walked through the house, he’d give me a nod and no words before he went out on his boat for the evening. He’d drive me around town if I needed, but it was clear he took my “no friendship until you apologize” to heart. Unfortunately, the more time that passed, the more I doubted the idea that Theo would apologize.
It appeared he was fine without us having a friendship, and he moved as though he couldn’t care less about building any relationship with me. I didn’t know why, but that hurt me a bit. That was until I came back from spending a Saturday with Molly and Harry and walked into a dimmed house, lit only with fairy lights.