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“Josie, I like you, and I’m reserving my right to like like you,” he said unabashedly. “Before you say I can’t—” “You don’t know me,” I interrupted him. “That’s why I’m calling you. I want to get to know you better.” “That’s what’s so important?” “Yes.” “Reece—” “Josie, please listen. You won’t always be Andi’s teacher. So, let’s say for the next eight months we get to know each other.
“I don’t even understand why you want to get to know me.” “Even more reason for us to get to know each other better, then.” “What does that mean?” “It means you shouldn’t even have to ask that question.”
you need to know exactly why I want to get to know you, here’s my list: You’re a little crazy,” he chuckled. “You’re passionate about everything you do, as far as I can tell. You’re talented and gorgeous. I can’t stop thinking about you,” he admitted.
“I want to. Maybe it’s time you get used to a man who exceeds your expectations.”
costume, looking orange and round around the middle, with striped, orange-and-black tights. It was super attractive.
“Wait until she discovers he wants to live out your teen fantasies.”
“Rigghhht,” she trilled. “I see that lasting all of two seconds. Men don’t choose to be friends with women. It’s the door they knock on, seeing if you’ll let them in.
It’s why Dad and Uncle Craig stood in their overalls, in awe of their wives, with eyes full of love and adoration.
All my life I wanted that kind of love.
My esteem for my dad always grew when I realized he was not blind to my mother’s craziness, yet he embraced it anyway. That was true love right there.
got louder and louder with each iteration. Literally it was all we said. Like somehow the Great Pumpkin from Charlie Brown would appear.
mom and come Monday he would be pulling Andi out of my class and would thank his lucky stars he didn’t like like me yet. I should probably say something more grown up than like like.
God thiss mom drives me insane
“Okay, my gorgeous pumpkin girl, get ready to unleash your magic.”
Regardless of my adolescent mishap with the written word, I believed in the magic
Don’t ask me why, but a man in boots and jeans did me in.
Lol same
handed Andi the stuffed Priscilla Pumpkin. “Hold her tight. She’s full of magic.” Andi’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
watched as Reece gave him a crooked grin and whispered, “I’ll tell you a secret. I’m a real pirate.” The little boy put his hands to his mouth, astonished.
Okay this is adorable
Andi left my side and threw her arms around her dad. “I know what I want to be for Halloween,” she exclaimed. “I want to be Priscilla Pumpkin!”
“No, thank you. You are exactly what Andi needs.”
“I’m going to take this to mean you’re so excited, I’ve left you speechless. So, let’s say seven. I’ll text you my address. Are you allergic to anything?”
“I’m Reece Cavanaugh, by the way. I play a pirate sometimes.”
Mom set her sights on the most darling girl of all time. A softness washed over her wide eyes.
wasn’t every day that the pirate and pirate girl were seen together.
“There are good men out there. I think Reece might be one of them. He, uh,” she lowered her voice, “he put two thousand dollars in the donation jar today.”
“Maybe it’s time you believed in something again. Maybe start with yourself.”
Wicked witches, vampires, zombies, and hobgoblins had
nothing on the monster living inside of me. Her name was self-doubt, and she was terrifying.
Not that I wore a lot of makeup, but you could never go wrong with some mascara and a swipe of lip gloss.
We get it youre pretty
“He … um … he was upset about the story.” “You mean he defended me,” I guessed. Oliver rubbed his neck. “Maybe, but he was a real prick about it.”
Oliver is a dick baag
“Good. You deserved it.” Oliver’s head snapped up. “You heard me right. I wish he would have beaten the crap out of you. Maybe then you would know just an inkling of how I felt back then.” “Josie Marie,” Mom scolded me. “That’s your brother.” “Yes, he’s my brother. And a brother should have never done the things he did to me. Do you know the kind of humiliation I have lived through over the last fifteen years?” My voice cracked, yet the tears would still not form. “I’m glad to know someone besides Jenna stuck up for me.”
“Mom.” I stepped closer to her. She held up her hand to stop me. “Go to your dinner.”
Eye rolllll
“Way to go, Josie,” Oliver berated me. “Look what you did to Mom.” “You know what, Oliver, Reece was right about you. You are douchebag.
TH GASLIGHTING
Even now, all you care about is yourself. I know why you don’t want me to hang out with Reece. Because heaven forbid I bring someone around who sees you for who you truly are. Now excuse me, I’m late for dinner.”
Well, I hadn’t been pumpkiny in forever. In no time, Reece joined us carrying
Man, was that good life advice. Why did I feel as if I were jumping straight into the flames being here?
“Promise.” Reece meant business. “Make her pinkie promise, Daddy.” Andi was not helping my situation. “Good idea, honey.” He kissed Andi’s head before holding out his hooked little finger. “Pinkie promise.”
“You have to do it!” Andi exclaimed. “Because it’s the best story ever.” “There you go. Eight-year-old
“I’m good at complicated.” “I’m not,” I admitted. “I’ll help you.” Those were beautiful words. “Me too.” Andi grinned.
Uh … I’ve agreed to drink wine with Reece under the stars by the light of fire. Please tell me this is a bad idea. Jenna: Heck no, girl. Get your freak on with him.
Me: I kind of told my mom and brother off for ruining my teenage years. Jenna: Whoa. Good for you. It’s about time. But you may want to think about moving. I’ll come with.
“No. I plan to stay maddening. I think it’s one of my finer qualities. But I want you to know me. And I want to know all about you,”
squeeze. “Is this okay? Friends can hold hands, right?” “Um … I’m not sure. I’ve never held a friend’s hand before.” “I’m glad I’m the first.” “You are maddening.”
“Kissing would probably cross the friendly line.” He leaned away, thank goodness. “But if you ever want to try it out, I wouldn’t say no.”
“You’re a good person. I don’t know if I would be so generous to my ex.”
“I do, because after I read that story, I was like, hell yeah, I should be a pirate. And today your story made my little girl want to be a pumpkin. That’s magic, Josie. You make magic with your words. How can you hate that?”
can’t. I’ll get fired. Besides, we’re just getting to know each other; and, you know, he’s the pirate.”
Girl yiu arent
“Do you think my parents will disown me?” I whispered. “Nah.” Jenna yawned. “It’s pumpkin season, and they need their pumpkin.
You were right; we worried more about what we thought you’d done instead of worrying about you.
“Well, kiddo, I’ve found we are the hardest on ourselves, so it could be a while. Probably best to give her some space.”
“Are you saying I drive you crazy?” He was more than delighted. “Something like that,” I stuttered, hardly able to breathe with him so close. “I suppose it’s only fair since you drive me crazy. In the best ways,” he added. I bit my lip.
