Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 69~When Every Day Begins, I'll Fall For You Again

Jimmy's POV

When Friday came around, Kaylee was bouncing off the walls because it was her birthday. This morning we all wished her a happy birthday, Abbie giving her a hug when she came downstairs after getting ready for school. When Abbie got home, Kaylee ran outside to greet her as she stepped off the bus and said goodbye to Dustin, giving her a big hug and going on excitedly about how we're gonna celebrate her birthday tonight. Abbie found it quite amusing, but she didn't mind the little shadow she had following her around as she's had for the past couple of days.

Tuesday afternoon when Elise came home, I took her upstairs when she asked where the kids were, and we snuck down the hall to Abbie's room so I could show her that Abbie and Kaylee appeared to be ok again. I don't know what happened, but I'm glad it did because it's just so great to see them actually interacting with each other the way they did before, acting like true sisters.

We'd already eaten the small chocolate cake and Kaylee's opened her presents, which she tore open eagerly and in record time, and now Abbie was upstairs getting ready for the semi-formal and Elise was helping her. She would actually be leaving at five, because it had been decided that because one of her friends was going all out for semi this year in eighth grade and got a limo, Abbie was going to ride in it with them and a bunch of other friends. She admitted she thought it was a little ridiculous to get a limo for eighth grade when she announced it to us, but she was still going to go. The reason for that, and for why she would leave so early, is because they're going out to dinner before the dance. Apparently, Dustin had made Abbie agree to letting him pay for his and her meal. He even typed a contract and forced her to sign it. How he got that to happen, I don't know, but he must be some kind of miracle worker.

Dustin was going to come over here and wait with Abbie for the limo to get ready just a few minutes before it was due to arrive here. After the dinner, they're going to stop at the park and take pictures of the group before completing their route at the school. I'm sure the pictures will end up on someone's Facebook page and copies will get sent to all the parents too.

Abbie wouldn't let me see the dress after they go it, and when they got it Elise managed to get her to get another one for graduation because they have to dress up for that too. But, I did ask if it was purple and she said yes, so I got to collect five dollars from my wife. I was probably more satisfied by that than I should've been, but it doesn't matter. I don't know why she wouldn't let me see it, but I guess that doesn't matter either because I'll see it before she leaves.

I was sitting in the living room with Kaylee next to me when there was a knock at the door. I got up and went to the entryway, opening the door. I was surprised to find Dustin standing there on the other side because he was early by five or ten minutes. He cleaned up well, standing there in a suit and tie, and he'd cut his hair a little shorter since I'd seen him last.

"Hey, Dustin. Uh, Abbie's not quite ready yet..." I told him.

He just nodded. "Yeah, I figured she would be. I know I'm early, but I'm early because... well... I was hoping I could talk to you about something really important." 

I was confused, but I didn't object. "Sure... come on in." I stepped to the side and he came into the house as I shut the door behind him. I motioned for him to follow me through the living room, wondering what it was that was so important that he had to talk to me about. As we passed through, Kaylee looked up and grinned at Dustin, shouting out,

"Hiya, Dustin!"

He grinned back at her. "Hey, short stuff, happy birthday!" 

"Thank you very much!" Kaylee replied with pride, and I just smirked to myself at her response. Sometimes she can sound a lot like Michelle from Full House, and other times she can sound a bit like her Uncle Brian.