Page 120 of Animal's Reformation
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Is Aunt Jadagoing to do my hair again?” Lucy asked as she skipped down the sidewalk.
“I bet she will if you ask her.” Animal opened the gate in front of his parents’ house then followed his daughter to the porch.
“Are we having dinner over here?” Lucy opened the screen door.
Animal inserted his key and turned the lock. “I thought we’d have dinner with Olivia later on.”
“But what if Aunt Jada’s not done with my hair?” Lucy walked into his parents’ house.
“We can wait, unless you don’t wanna go out for chow, kiddo.”
“I do. Can Aunt Jada come with us?”
“Sure—I’ll ask her.”
“There’s my favorite granddaughter,” Animal’s dad said, his arms outstretched.
Lucy giggled. “I’m your only one, Grandpa.” She rushed over and looped her arms around his neck.
“Hey, Dad,” Animal said, lifting his chin.
“Hiya.” Jay jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Your mother wants to talk to you.”
Animal shoved his hands in his pockets and crossed the room to the kitchen. He heard his dad asking Lucy if she wanted one of his chocolates. His dad always kept a box of them stashed in one of the drawers of the small cupboard near the couch.
When he walked into the room, his mother sat at the table drinking a cup of coffee and staring at the wall. He went over to the counter and poured himself a cup of java then plopped down on one of the chairs.
“How’re you holding up?” he asked, bringing the cup to his mouth.
“All right. Just sore as hell, but it’s better than what could’ve been.”
Animal nodded. “I don’t need to tell you not to do this shit again, right? It’s dangerous and stupid.”
“I know. Your dad and I already talked about it. No more online shit for me.”
“Do you remember anything more about the fucker?” Leaning back in his chair, he stretched out his legs, crossing them at the ankles.
“Yeah. Last night everything was a blur, but now I can see the asshole’s face as clear as I’m seeing yours.”
“Describe him.”
“Are you going to go out looking for him?”
“Something like that.”
Lucy scurried in and stood by Animal, her gaze fixed on her grandmother. He wished his mother would be more affectionate with her granddaughter, but he knew that wasn’t her way. He grew up with little of that from his mom, so Animal figured he shouldn’t expect anything different with Lucy.
“What’s up, kiddo?” he asked snagging an arm around her.
“Grandpa said that I can have a cookie. He wants one too.” Lucy leaned into Animal.
Rena chuckled. “You can have one, but your grandpa knows he can’t have sweets. Hell, I’m constantly trying to stop him from eating too many chocolates, but he sneaks them in.” She stood up and went to the pantry.
Lucy turned to Animal. “Grandpa really wants one. Is it bad if I tell Grandma I want two then give one to him?”
Animal laughed.
