Miss Me; When I'm Gone (editing)

CHAPTER 14 (Blair)

Blair

For two weeks, I went to my lessons and called Travis afterward. By the fourth lesson, I realized that I was more excited out hearing Travis' voice than I was about my actual lessons. And that was saying a lot, because I loved my lessons. I loved how strong I felt as I learned to focus on words and decipher what things said.

I never would be a fast or avid reader. Dr. VanWoodson had told me not to let that get me down. Reading would never be my strong point, but I would be able to do it. This wouldn't hold me back from driving, going to college, or filling out job applications anymore.

At the beginning of our third week, I was all set to meet Dr. VanWoodson at the library in town. He was going to send me home with a book to practice on. The last two books he had given me were very simple, one or two words a page, picture books.

This time he was going to give me something more complicated. I was preparing myself for it. I could do it. Then I was going to call Travis afterward and tell him about my lesson.

Adelia Jane woke up from her nap and cried out, and I moved from the stairs where I was dusting to call for Karleah, but she was already coming around the corner with a grin on her face. She kept baby-monitor device on her whenever she wasn't with Adeli a Jane. I'd forgotten about that.

"She let me finish the cookies I was making for Dave," Karleah said, as she passed me on the stairs.

"When they cool, why don't you have a break and have cookies and milk with me?"

Karleah always asked me things like this. She didn't ignore me the way other clients did, and she didn't look down her nose when she spoke to me. Instead, she acted like I was her partner. She appreciated my help, even though she was paying me to do it.

"I would like that, and thankyou for asking, but I have to meet someone tonight. I need to finish up and get home to clean up before I go."

I wished I didn't have to decline the offer. I had skipped breakfast and was hungry.

Karleah beamed at me.

"Well I can fix that. You have milk and cookies with me, and I'll give you a lift home. You'll be back much sooner with a ride. And don't tell me no. You turned me down last wrrk, and my brother called to make sure I gave you a ride. I explained that you wouldn't let me, and he blamed me. So from now on, I'm driving you. No arguments."

She turned and hurried after Adela Jane, who was now crying louder since she'd heard Karleah's voice. It took me a moment to steady myself. I pressed my hands to my warm cheeks and wished that I hadn't blushed.

Travis had called to see if she was driving me home. He was thinking about me aside from when I called him. The crazy grin that was stuck to my face every time I thought about Travis was back.

When I had started dusting the stairs again, Karleah reappeared at the top of them holding a wide-eyed, smiling, Adela Jane. She was happy now that she had her momma. The little girl could light up a room.

"Adelia Jane is expecting you for cookies and milk, too. So you can't turn her down. No one is allowed to tell her no. Just ask her daddy." Karleah said descending down the steps.

"Let's go enjoy our break."

I wasn't going to argue. It would be rude, and, well, if Travis wanted her to give me a lift so badly that he was calling to bug he, I wasn't telling her no. Besides, I really was hungry. The Peterson's kitchen reminded me of something from a sitcom. It was warm and lived-in, but no expense had been spared. Karleah placed Adelia Jane in her swing, which sat looking out the bay window into the back yard.