Our Last Time: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

he’d walk around wearing stiletto heels in a shoe store for me . He was a silly guy. He was my silly guy.
    We had gotten up from the bench together, hand in hand. My elbow was bent forward, and my hand was held up grasping his so it would be easier for us to stand.
    I was surprised we hadn’t lunged forward, and landed on our faces.
    “Ready?” he asked me.
    I nodded. “I think.”
    “That’s not ready, Will.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Yes Kennedy, I’m ready.”
    We took one small step forward, and the click of our heels made me smile.
    There was about another five feet in front of us when he said, “You go forward on your own now. I’ll be behind you to catch you if you fall.”
    I had let go of his hand, and he was standing behind me, now. I took a deep breath before taking a step forward.
    “Keep your legs straight, Will.”
    I smirked. “You keep your legs straight, Kennedy.”
    He coughed, and I hadn’t had to turn around to know that he’d noticed and fixed his slack posture.
    I had about two feet of room in front of me when I stopped and turned around to find Kennedy swirling his long arms around at his sides, about to fall backward.
    My eyes widened as I went to grab his hands, and I said, “I got you.”
    But I didn't have him. He fell backward, and I fell right on top of him. My hands were settled under his head so it wouldn’t crack open on the floor, and my body hit his body hard.
    He groaned longingly as his hands met my waist, and he pulled my skirt down so I wouldn’t be exposed.
    “Ow,” he muttered.
    “Ouch,” I said, as I buried my forehead in his neck.
    He chuckled lightly, and I met his eyes.
    Then we laughed out loud , because we were okay, and it was funny.

August 21 st , 2006, 3:51p.m.
    Willow
     
     
     
    “Put up your hair, and I’ll push you on the swings.”
    Annette stuck her lip out. “Why do I have to put my hair up?” she whined.
    I smiled. “Because you’ll fuss if your hair lands in your mouth, sweetie. Do you want to taste hairy shampoo?”
    She crinkled her little face as she shook her head vigorously. “No, mommy. Can aunt Catie put my hair up with her chopsticks? I really like aunt Catie’s chopsticks,” she grinned.
    I could see Caitlyn as she smiled over her computer screen. She was sitting at the picnic table just a few feet away from the swings, working on another article.
    “Come here, kid,” Caitlyn sighed, patting her lap as she swung her legs to the side.
    Annette let out a delighted squeal before running over to her. I placed my hands on my hips and smiled widely as I watched her hop on Caitlyn’s lap.
    “Don’t touch them, okay little babe? If you want to keep them in, you have to leave them alone .”
    Annette nodded as Caitlyn took the chopsticks out of her shiny red hair, letting it all fall against the small of her back.
    “Hold still so I can put them in,” Caitlyn instructed sweetly.
    Annette said, “Okay,” and listened to her.
    Caitlyn easily wrapped Annette’s long dirty blonde hair into a tight bun on the top of her head, and then stuck the two chopsticks in the bun to keep it from falling out.
    “There.” Caitlyn smiled before patting Annette’s thigh so she’d hop down. Annette did as she was told.
    “Thank you, aunt Catie,” Annette said, before standing on the tips of her toes so she could loudly kiss Caitlyn on the cheek.
    “You’re very welcome, little babe,” Caitlyn smiled half-heartedly.
    Annette turned around on her heel and ran into my arms.
    I had kneeled on one knee before she got to me. I gently rubbed her back as the tips of her tiny fingers curled against my shoulder blades.
    “Isn’t it pretty, mommy?” she leaned back a little so I could see her vibrant smile, and her gorgeous blue eyes.
    I grinned, and nodded. “ Very pretty, sweetie.”
    She hugged me again before sitting down in one of the swings.
    I pushed her, and she said higher every time.
    She wore a yellow sundress today with matching shoes,