Kicking and Screaming Read Online Free PDF Page B

think of the embarrassment as I finally made my way down the stairs and out the door.
    I was still a little peeved, but already I felt better. Nothing like escaping the madness to free up my mind and make me feel human again.
    I should never have stayed home in the first place. I knew from past experience that the tow banes of my existence loved to show me up in front of strangers, they seem to get some type of inordinate satisfaction from it. I wish to hell I knew what I’d ever done to them.
    Oh well, I don’t have to think about it anymore, mom can bitch all she likes I’m done.
    I hopped on my bike and could already feel the wind on my face as I rode to freedom.
     
    ***
    JACKSON
     
    What the hell are they talking about, are they insane? There's nothing wrong with her body; she's amazing. Well all except for the attitude, but if she had to deal with what I'd just witnessed on a regular basis, then I guess I could understand.
    "Come on Jackson she's gone, we can have fun now." Jenny came over to grab my hand.
    "I don't think so." At least I kept the censor out of my voice, which was as much as I was willing to give.
    I turned and left the room, their stunned gazes following me. I might come off as a bit of a bastard, but I never liked bullies and that's exactly what they’d been to their sister just now.
    She had a lot of spunk that one, but I noticed she never attacked unless she was attacked. She was no shrinking violet that’s for sure, but I think her barbs were more about self-preservation than any real need to be mean.
    And I could just be full of shit because she was growing on me and I didn’t like the idea of anyone picking on her.
    I heard a bike revving outside the window as I walked through the vestibule, and was just in time to see black locks under a helmet, as the sweetest ride I'd ever seen disappeared down the driveway.
    "You have got to be kidding me, no way, it can't be."
     
    "She's something isn't she? My little Jack-of-all-trades! She built that thing herself, started when she was sixteen. Says it's her de stressor, after a concert tour she'd come home and work away in the garage."
    Her father appeared out of nowhere to stand next to me in the window where I was still coming to terms with what I’d just seen.
    "She's one talented lady. I didn't recognize her at first, I mean I've never seen her in concert, but I do have her recordings, the name just never registered and Mike never said anything."
    "Jan probably asked him not to, that's imp's deal, she'll have to be the one to tell you about it."
    "Imp?"
    "Oh, I meant Maxie, force of habit."
    "I was just thinking how appropriate the name is." It brought a smile to my face, and I was pleased to see that at least the father had a genuine affection for her. It made me feel better somehow, knowing that she had someone in her corner; so much for not getting involved.
    "Don't tell her I called her that in front of you, she'd use my guts for garters."
    "Is she really that bad?"
    "Worst, she's a holy terror, don't tell her I said that either."
    “I’ll try not to, but I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t think your daughter likes me very much. We probably wouldn’t have much cause to have a conversation where it would ever come up.”
    “Oh I wouldn’t say all that now. It takes a lot to get my imp to actually hate a person.
    Not to worry, she’ll come around sooner or later, but in the meantime, I’d see about investing in some protective gear if I were you. The girl does seem to have an inordinate amount of hostility where you’re concerned.
    He walked away whistling with his hands shoved into his pockets.
    What a strange family. I didn't take his words to heart though, since he'd been smiling when he said them.
    ***
    I spent the morning with Janet and Mike, going over their wedding plans. I was trying to find a way to pump her for information on her sister, without seeming too obvious.
    In the end, for some reason, I decided I