Page 50 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
Trixie showed him the lizard in the bucket. “Gwen found him at the ice rink. It’s not ours, is it?”
He shook his head. “No. Let’s check this little guy out.You,little lizard, should not be running wild at anicerink.”
“His name is Gary,” Gwen replied.
Of course it was.
The beta inspected the lizard, giving him a thorough checkup. “He’s in good health. I’m going to call around and see who might have lost him. This little guy is protected and probably belongsto someone. If they call you looking for him, have them call us. If they have a permit, it won’t be a problem giving him back. Thanks, Gwen.”
We left and walked around the zoo. She held my hand. “Um, someone wants to trade shifts with me and take mine tonight. Want to go dancing?”
I squeezed her hand. “Absolutely, Firecracker. Would you like to go on a little day trip? I have a vehicle now.”
The pickup truck I’d leased was better suited to Portland than here. But I liked trucks. Sure, there was great transportation here, but having my own vehicle would be useful. Also, I should get her out of the city for a bit. It would be nice to see Eats.
“That sounds great. Should I change? Do I have time to shower and throw in some laundry?” she asked.
“Plenty. Do what you need. I’ll work on finishing editing the video from yesterday, so you can put it up.” Yesterday we’d filmed the first of her figure skating videos. “I’ll pick you up?”
She nodded. “You can pick me up by the rink?”
“Sure.” I lived by the rink, anyway. “Wear one of your sundresses?”
I had the shoes covered. This was going to be fun.
Chapter Sixteen
Gwen
The sweet-tartness of sun-ripened blackberries exploded over my tongue, and my eyes closed as I savored the taste of summer. My head lolled back. “Mmmm.”
Tenzin had driven me to a farm to goberry picking. It was so delightfully wholesome. His friend’s sister’s pack owned this place, and we were meeting up with said friend.
Tenzin gave me some tan Cowboy boots, which I was wearing right now with the blue denim sundress I’d picked up at a vintage store after camp one day with Bonnie.
Around us, children ran and played.
Picking another off the vine, I turned. “Taste.” Before he could do anything, I shoved the berry into his mouth. “So good, right?”
“Delicious.” Tenzin smiled as he methodically put berries in the basket, getting the ones too high for me to reach.
After we finished, we explored the farm; him carrying the basket. There was a beautiful grove of apple trees, and I immediately scrambled up into the branches.
Everything looked better from a tree.
His phone rang, and he sighed. “I have to take it. It’s my realtor.”
“Okay. I’m going to hit the restroom.” I climbed down, found the bathroom and re-fixed my hair. It was awkward, the roots and my undercut growing out, and it was damaged. I’d get it fixed when I went to the salon and shopping with Valya.
I had no idea where I’d put everything, and my coach at NYIT wanted me to get my hockey gear and new laptop. Would Clark let me keep stuff at his place? He hadn’t mentioned me staying there since I’d been homeless.
It was hard to ask. Also, I didn’t know when I’d be able to get everything. My financial prognosis wasn’t looking good.
Realistically, I could work my ass off, and after I paid off tuition, I could move in with a bunch of my teammates. I’d have to live in the closet at the rink until tuition was paid off–and continue to work hard all school year to make rent. There’d be little left over to replace anything I lost or for fun.
Or I could live in a closet at the rink until graduation, work enough for essentials after I paid off tuition, and focus on hockey and classwork.
Realistically, that would be the best plan. The closet had no rent or utilities, warm showers, access to snacks, and free laundry.
