After unlocking the front door, I pushed it open and stepped inside the house. The first thing I saw was Angel sitting on the couch.
Then my eyes lifted to Josie who'd fallen asleep right next to her on the couch.
"Hey sweetheart, you ready to go?"
"Yeah," she mumbled.
I gave her my keys, "Go ahead and head out to the car. I'll be right out."
"Okay," she looked down. "Can I drive?"
I nodded after a hesitated pause and she bolted out the door before I had the chance to even think about changing my mind. The sound of the door loudly closing behind her startled Jo awake, making her sit up.
She assessed her surroundings as she rubbed her eyes and looked at the time, "Where's Angel?"
"In the car."
"It's windy. Was she wearing her jacket? I told her to wear a jacket, but I fell asleep before—"
"Yes, she was wearing her jacket."
"Okay," she said and with one glance in my direction, she got up, heading in the direction of the stairs.
"I wanted to talk with you real quick."
She slowed to a stop and sighed before turning around to face me, "I'm tired."
"So am I."
"Yeah, you must have a lot on your plate."
"Babe, I don't want to fight with you."
She didn't respond.
"Jo."
"Carter's in the next room," was her response. "So I don't want to talk."
I'd take that, for now.
"Then we'll talk later. Can I at least get a kiss goodbye?"
She stood in place, "Angel's waiting on you, Louis."
I pursed my lips and stepped close enough to rest my hand behind her neck, "Can I take it?"
Her eyes looked up at me, down at my lips, and then back up at me. I couldn't read her face and I hated it.
"You're just taking her to the library."
"I might not come back."
She scowled at me, "Why would you say something like that?"
"Because I want a kiss goodbye."
I frowned as she put her hand to my chest and pushed me a few steps backwards, "How about just a goodbye?"
After sighing to myself, I took her hand and kissed the back of it, "I'll be back soon."
"Okay," she mumbled as she slowly retreated up the stairs.
•••••
"Hey sweetie, how was was the library?" Josie set down the glue stick she was holding to give her attention.
