Page 62 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“I am. All the time.”
“You need anything?”
“Nope,” I say. I hate being short with him, but my emotions are raging right now.
He straightens. “How about I take you out and feed you?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine.”
“Babe, come on. You gotta eat. Get your jacket. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Reckless, I’m tired, and I’ve been on my feet all day. I just want to go to my apartment.”
“Okay, how about I call Harley Jean to come meet us, and I’ll go get takeout.”
“You don’t quit, do you?”
He grins. “I wouldn’t have Harley if I was a quitter. Would I?”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, fine. There’s a good Chinese place down the street. I like Mongolian beef and fried rice. And don’t forget the egg rolls.”
“Coming right up.”
“And you can drop this bank bag in the night deposit drop at First Federal right over there.” I point to the bank on the corner across the street and hand him the red zippered bag.
“No problem.”
Locking the door behind him, I climb the stairs to my apartment, drop on the couch, and put my feet up, wondering how I’m ever going to keep up this pace in the coming months. When my belly is heavy with child, my ankles swollen, and my lower back aching, how will I do it all?
Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Fiona.
I try to remember to take it one day at a time. If I think too far into the future, it only fills me with anxiety.
Putting my head back, I close my eyes and do some deep breathing exercises I learned from my therapist, telling myself everything will work out.
I must have dozed off, because it's thirty minutes later when a knock at the door rouses me. Groaning, I get to my feet and check the peephole, expecting Reckless.
But it’s Cody. I frown and swing the door open.
“What are you doing here?” He’s holding a paper grocery bag, the top all folded over and mushed.
“Just came by to see how you were doing and bring you this.” He holds the bag out to me. “Sorry, it’s a little crushed. I had it jammed in my saddlebag.
“What is it?” I take it and peer inside to find a net bag of oranges, a bunch of bananas, and a bag of M&M’s. I snag those right off and leave the rest on the counter. “Thanks, Cody. That was sweet.”
He shrugs. “Just tryin’ to keep the little mama fed.”
I return to the couch. “Seems like a lot of that going on today.”
He closes the door and follows me. “What do you mean?”
“Reckless and Harley Jean are bringing over Chinese food.”
“Oh, guess I won’t stay long, then.”
I paste on a smile. “No, it’s okay. I’m glad to see you. I’m just tired. So, how’s the life of a prospect going for you?”
“Same old shit. You know how it is. I’ll be ready when and if they decide I’m ready. There’s nothing I can do to rush the process.”
