Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“We are,” she assured him. “The man was gone for a week, Sam. He didn’t even notice his wife and kid were gone until he got back from his fishing trip.”
“Okay,” he sighed, giving her a last squeeze as I reached the porch and darted over to him. “I want you guys to have someone with you next time.”
“We will,” Aja assured him as he eased me into his arms and hugged me tight, clutching me to his chest. “Dylan’s coming too.”
Sam groaned loudly. “Maybe somebody with some sort of self-defense training.”
“I took that class at the Y,” Aja chimed in.
“And I’m a ninja,” I told him.
He turned for the door. “I’ll find someone, just come in the house.”
“You know,” Aja said, talking to his back so he had to turn and look at her, “I’m still surprised you’re okay with what we’re doing. You’ve always been a very by-the-book man.”
“I know,” he agreed, giving her a sad smile. “But the system is broken at the moment. All you have to do is watch the news to know that. Everybody has to help. I wish you guys didn't have to be involved, because I worry about you getting hurt. But I also know that you're doing it because you can't sit by and watch someone else being harmed. At the moment, protecting you both is what I’m going to do.”
“It’s what you always do,” I told him.
“Well, there are a lot of problems, and too many places are stretched thin. This way, at least, good can happen too.”
I moved quickly so I could hug him again.
“And the hugging,” he said, enfolding me again and kissing my forehead. “I’m in this for the hugging.”
And that’s it for this month. Please, everyone, take care of yourselves and your loved ones. I’ll see you in July.
JULY 2020
Hello, all, welcome to He Said, he said, July 2020 edition. As you all know, normally I go back and forth, answer questions, give a little slice-of-life at the Kage-Harcourt residence, and I had questions, but the Fourth of July was a holiday, and I like to share those.
Now I know the world is still in shambles all around us, but one of the things that we can all hold on to is family and friends during these dark times. I have not wanted to have anyone over, because let’s face it, if everyone is not wearing a mask, what’s the point? I don’t leave the house without one, and my kids aren’t allowed out if they don’t put one on. And there’s no excuse, especially with how amazing my daughter has become on her sewing machine. Everyone has fancy ones, and Aaron got her this special material that they’re making at Sutter that’s moisture-wicking, (they’re still hot), and supposed to be more breathable. I mean, it’s still a mask, let’s not be precious about this. And it’s coated with this stuff so bacteria and mold and whatever else isn’t supposed to be able to grow on the fabric. I mean, it’s Sutter, God knows what Lucius Fox cooks up in the bowels of Wayne Enterprises. But Hannah is now sewing with iridescent colors, so that’s fun for her. The point being to just wear the mask.
I’m not ready to have a lot of people over to my house. I had Dane and Aja and their kids over, and we all stayed outside in the backyard, masked, and it was so good to see them I got a little weepy. My brother sat and petted me and told me I remained one of his favorite people. I was a bit oversensitive. I missed him. I’m used to seeing him two to three times a week, which includes at least one dinner. We also had Aaron and Duncan over, and of course, Aaron had this handheld biometric scanner that took a temperature reading every ten minutes and for some reason had me thinking about Blade Runner the entire time they were there. He went upstairs to watch Hannah on her aerial equipment, and Duncan sat in the kitchen with Sam, and they talked about the CPD and things that Sam thought should be implemented and what Duncan thought could be done based on funding. I was glad not to be in on that. Kola and I played Minecraft instead. I had never been very good at it before, but I found that the whole sheltering in place attributed to patience for me. I could totally build a shelter now, as time consuming as it was.
With the holiday falling on a Saturday, we had planned to stay home, watch some fireworks on TV, and then veg and watch movies. Aaron had invited us out on the boat, but the last time I went, I got seasick, and there were deviled eggs, so you can imagine how that turned out. Eggs and I are still not on the best of terms, just as beets and I are not. Though the beets are just because I hate them and not for any heinous treachery on their part.