Page 59 of Tech

He hums and says, “Any time. Look after that girl of yours. I’ll speak to you later, brother.”

With that said, he hangs up, and I grunt, running a hand through my hair.

“James?” Brook croaks, and I look at her and smile a little. Slowly, I move her hair out of her face and rasp, “It’s okay, baby. Go back to sleep.”

She furrows her brows, unshed tears shining again, but nods, and I lay down behind her after she’s turned around, her arm going around Sammy, who’s just jumped on the bed.

She doesn’t even question why he’s here, which is a good thing right now.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I place my face into her hair and inhale her coconut scent. I refuse to lose this girl, and won’t feel guilty for Momma getting her just desserts. She can try and act innocent, but what she did to Tats growing up, and bringing Nina back, proves what a bitch she really is, and maybe my father is better off without her.

No one fucking hurts Brook and gets away with it; fucking no one. I’d die trying to protect her and kill anyone who hurts her, even if it’s my own mother.

18

Brook – A Week Later

I smile at Gracie, my new receptionist, and hand her the discharge papers for China, the chihuahua that somehow managed to eat her owner’s car keys.

For such a small animal, he was lucky he didn’t choke; I still physically don’t understand how he even managed to swallow them to begin with.

Smiling, I look in the reception area and see five people waiting with their animals.

Work is busy; the more people book their animals in, the more people I have to hire. I’ve now got two other vets and three veterinary nurses. I was reluctant at first, but with the farm animals as well, I was stretched thin, and I finally gave in.

Plus, if I have got cancer, then I’m going to need as many employees as I can afford.

I got my appointment reminder this morning in the mail. For some reason, instead of going to my apartment, it ended up at Momma’s and Daddy’s house, and of course, Momma opened it after seeing the hospital stamp, invading my privacy.

“Momma?” I shout, throwing my keys into the bowl near the front door.

I’m tired and hungry. I’ve just finished my rounds with the farm animals, and my joints ache.

Missy, Josy’s pig, had gotten stuck in a deep patch of mud, and it took three helping hands to push her out, so I’m not only tired and hungry but also covered in mud.

“Momma,” I call out again, but I don't get an answer, which confuses me. I can smell her cheese and sausage biscuits, so I know she can’t be too far, just like I know Daddy will be here any moment for the same reason I am—food.

My stomach growls, and I smile a little, walking toward the kitchen. Walking through the door, I pause with a furrowed brow, seeing my mother, sobbing, reading a piece of paper.

“Momma?” I ask, concern lacing my voice.

She looks up. Her tears coat her cheeks, and I rush toward her but stop just a few feet from her at her words.

“You may have cancer?” she cries.

My breathing picks up, my brows furrow, and my eyes go to the letter in her hands, focusing on the address.

She opened my mail, mail that shouldn’t have even come here….

“Momma….” I try, but she shouts, “No!” and my eyes widen just as Daddy rushes into the room.

“What is going on?” Daddy demands, looking between the both of us.

Momma’s body visibly shakes as she shows Daddy the letter— my letter!

“Our daughter may have cancer; this here is the proof, and she didn’t tell us.” she snaps.

Okay, I love my momma, but right now, she’s out of order. That was my mail, mine, and she opened it, invading my privacy; she has no right doing this.

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