Page 126 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

NOVALEE

Anxiety was caused by many things. It could be simple stress, a first date, or finding out a loved one was in the hospital. There were a myriad of reason, but they all had the same effect.

People would feel on edge, their stomach would churn, and other signs of possible oncoming panic. All of which were vastly different from the sensation causing the hairs on the back of my neck to rise right now.

The screen door clacked shut behind me as I stepped out onto the deck and scanned the pothole ridden roads of Sault Saint Marie Estates. Nothing looked out of place.

Mr. Garibaldi was sitting outside in his underwear and open bathrobe, sipping on a coffee. Sue and Winnie LeBeau were peeking out their window as the milkman disappeared into Mrs. Devereux’s house, and like me, Billy and Kyle were getting ready to go to school.

The little pissants hopped on their bikes and rode past me while we gave each other death glares. The war would continue tonight, I had other things to worry about. Like the creepy feeling crawling up my spine.

I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. It seemed like a normal morning, but something was off. Warning bells were ringing in my head. Almost like I was being watched.

Huh?

Leaning over, I eyed the orange sign across the street on the cypress tree saying, ‘Gio’s stalking spot, do not park.’ The lack of a Range Rover should’ve made me feel better. But it didn’t. Prickles continued to crawl across my skin.

“Novalee.”

I jumped as Maw Maw swung open the screen door. Why did that thing have to be so squeaky?

“You forgot your phone.”

Actually, I didn’t. I left it in my room so I could continue to ignore Gio’s texts, but whatever.

Rolling my eyes, I took the dreadful device. “Thanks Maw Maw.”

For nothing.

“Go on.” She waved her hands to shoo me off the deck. “You’re going to be late.”

There was at least thirty minutes before school started, which was twenty eight minutes and thirty seconds too late for Maw Maw. I don’t know how many times I told her that being early didn’t mean being on time.

Her and Gio would have a great time planning something. It might not be very exciting, but it would be punctual. God help the person who asked them to do that. And God help me for putting the two of them in the same thought.

“Go on child, git.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” When I once again scanned the block, Maw Maw’s eyes narrowed.

“What’s wrong with you?”

That felt like a loaded question.

“Do you mean today?” Because today wasn’t bad so far.

I dreamt about Gio last night, which wasn’t as wrong as missing his scent. But when I woke up I could walk without my vagina hurting, so there was that.

It still felt like Gio was inside me, but it was an improvement from how I walked into the house last night. Pretty sure Maw Maw thought I was drunk. I caught her hiding her wine this morning.

On a side note, under the couch was not the best hiding spot.

Maw Maw’s eye further narrowed. “Are you on the drugs?”

The drugs?

“No Maw Maw, I’m not on the drugs.” Unfortunately.

“Well then, why are you still standing here?” She pushed me down the steps. “Go to school.”

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