Page 94 of Driftwood Daffodil

“Yeah,” I lied. “She’s a cheerleader. You know how they are.”

Who was Gina Thomas? I had no idea, but someone out there probably had that name. They weren’t in my school though.

“I could’ve sworn you said Gio.”

“Pfft,” I snorted. “Who’s not listening now?”

Damn I was good.

Suspicion still toyed with Veda’s expression, but she went with it. Denial was a beautiful thing.

“Okay?” she eyed me quickly. “Well, Kato’s on the phone. I thought you’d like to talk to him.”

“What?” I jumped up out of my chair, “Why didn’t you lead with that?”

Kato only had fifteen minutes to talk and here she was wasting precious time.

“You were busy tormenting little children,” she yelled as I rushed through the door into the kitchen where Maw Maw had the phone receiver pressed to her ear.

“There’s always time to torment children,” I called back while bouncing impatiently from one foot to the other.

Maw Maw’s brow arched my way, “Are you picking on sweet little Billy and Kyle again?”

Sweet my ass.

“They started it.”

“They are seven years old, Novalee…”

I groaned and rolled my eyes. “That’s like twenty-five in demon years, now can we save the set a good example speech for after I talk to Kato?”

For a second I thought she might deny me, until she looked down at my bouncing feet and sighed. “I’d love to talk to you more, my dear boy, but your sister appears to have ants in her pants.”

That joke was almost as funny as us having a landline.

I shot Maw Maw a dirty look and held out my palm, where she placed the receiver before walking away. I’d probably pay for that look later, but I was too happy to hear my brother’s voice to care.

A smile spread across my face as I held the phone up to my ear. “I hope you haven’t dropped the soap lately.”

“That’s not funny.” Kato’s unimpressed tone was like music to my ears.

“You’re the one who’s always saying that we have to be able to joke about the hard things in life.” The pun was totally intended.

“I don’t know why I talk to you.”

“Because you love me.” I clarified.

“Yes I do,” he sighed. “Even though you’re a pain in my ass.”

“I’m a pain in everyone’s ass.”

“The good lord tests me every day with you, child.” Maw Maw muttered while digging through a cupboard.

I shot her a look while saying, “At least I’m not late making phone calls.”

Kato should’ve called two hours ago. I was starting to think he got locked in solitary or something.

“Sorry,” Kato said. “I just got out of the infirmary.”

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