Page 66 of Feel It All

“No need to thank me, nothing I would have rather done this weekend. I’m just glad to hear that she is happy, that’s all I want,” I say candidly.

“I know, I know…damn it, I’m her father, I’m supposed to be hating you, not thanking you,” he pushes off his deck and holds out his hand.

I step forward and shake his hand. “Thank you for giving me a chance.” I don’t know how I would fare if her family didn’t like me. I know that has to be Winry’s concern about my mom, but now that I have her, I don’t think I will ever be able to let her go.

“All right, now go. Y’all be safe tonight.”

“Yes, sir,” I nod and head out.

Chapter 18

Winry

Sweatpoursdownmyback; why must southern summers been so humid and hot? Why I chose to workout outside in the middle of August, I’ll never know. It’s just eight in the morning on a Monday, but damn, I’m dying. In my pre-heatstroke state, an idea comes to me. So I send a quick text to Graham.

Me: Hey, babe, call me when you get up.

He usually sleeps till about three so until then I hop in the shower then head to meet my sisters at Aster Creek Middle School. We are helping Waverley put the finishing touches on her classroom before she has her “meet your teacher” day. Waverley has been a bit of a drill sergeant these past two weeks. Our whole family and Graham have been roped into putting her room together.

I pull in the parking lot and call Waverley to meet me at the front door. She has been here since the crack of dawn. She called me at 7 this morning already asking me to bring her a hot glue gun and more sharpies when I come.

“Hey, hey, hot stuff,” Waverley holds the door open for me.

“Hey, hey. I brought your stuff,” I shake the bag of goodies in my hand.

“Ugh, praise. You are a lifesaver,” she takes the bag from me, and I follow her to her room.

Waverley’s classroom reflects her personality so well. It’s full of vibrant colors and it gives off this fun-while-learning vibe. Waverley will just teach English and reading for sixth grade, so she has a whole corner dedicated to reading books and another for writing.

“Look who I found,” Waverley says to Wyla as we enter her room.

“The favorite sister is now here. Ready to help…and get the hell out here,” I mumble, and Wyla laughs.

“Shut up, Win. I have to get this room ready and I need y’all’s help.” Waverley digs out the sharpies and plugs in the hot glue gun.

“Yeah, yeah. Tell us what to do, Wav,” I grumble.

“Okay, Winry, you start putting the books out on those shelves, and Wyla, help me finish these posters,” Waverley commands.

“Aye, aye, captain,” I give her a salute and start organizing the books.

“So I think I have decided on what I want to do,” Wyla says while working on the poster in front of her.

Waverley and I look at each other and back at Wyla. “Are you going to tell us?” I ask.

“I think I’m going to be a vet tech. I fixed my schedule so I will start in the program next week. I love working with the people and the animals at the shelter. I think I would be good at it.”

“Hell yeah, you would,” Waverley confirms, and I nod.

“We are so happy you have found something you enjoy, Wyla.” I walk over and give her a hug.

“Me too, me too,” Waverley jumps in the hug, and we squeeze each other.

“Okay, squeezing me too hard guys,” Wyla wiggles out of the hug.

“We just love you,” I go up to her and pinch her cheeks like she’s a little baby.

Wyla rolls her eyes, “You don’t have to suffocate me though.”

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