Page 123 of Drop Shot
“We need a secret handshake,” Junie whispers to me.
“We do,” I agree. “We’ll work on it later.”
“Where’s my hug?” Whimsy’s mom, Jules, asks.
“Right here whenever you’re ready.” I spread my arms wide.
Jules hugs me and pats my cheek before she steps back. “It’s good to see you, Elias.”
“Good to see you, too. Where’s Craig?” I look around for the fluffy cat.
“She’s probably hiding under the bed,” Whimsy says, gesturing toward the bedroom.
“Craig?” I call out, heading that way. I’ve missed the silly cat.
I don’t spot her, so I drop to my knees and peer under the bed. Sure enough, I find two glowing eyes staring back at me.
“Hey, girl.” I attempt to coax her out from under the bed. “I want snuggles.”
“Meow.”
“Craig?” I plead. “Come say hi.”
“She’s going to scratch you,” Whimsy says, and I peer behind me to find her standing in the doorway wearing a smirk and her arms crossed over her chest.
“No, she won’t. She loves me.”
“Hey”—she raises her arms in surrender— “don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I reach back for the cat and?—
“Ow!” I cry out.
“Told you,” she cackles as she backs away.
I pull my arm out from under the bed, frowning at the long claw marks. “You’re not even going to kiss it and make it better?”
“Nope,” she sing-songs. “I’m not indulging you after I warned you.”
“I can’t believe I’m being treated this way after bringing you breakfastandcoffee.”
“Boo-hoo. Poor baby.” She pouts, picking up her iced coffee and taking a sip.
I give her a look that says if we were alone, I’d be throwing her over shoulder and spanking her ass.
Jules laughs, shaking her head. “You two are reminding me of myself and your father,” she says to Whimsy.
“Except you and Dad areold,” Junie interjects.
Jules sighs, shoulders sagging. “Thank you, June-bug, for the reminder.”
“You’re welcome,” Junie replies with a beaming smile.
Whimsy turns to me, burying her head against my shoulder to hide her laughter.
“We better head out,” Jules says, grabbing Juniper’s shoulder and steering her to the door. “But we expect you both at family dinner Friday.”
“We’ll be there.” Whimsy walks them to the door, hugging them goodbye. When she closes the door, she turns around to me with a saddened expression. Before I can ask what’s wrong, she says, “I didn’t realize how much I had missed them. Somehow, I always forget until I get home and then I wonder how I’m ever going to leave again, but somehow, I do it.”
