Page 30 of Animal's Reformation
“And I love the way you are when you’re with her.” Jada walked over to him and playfully poked him in the ribs. “All soft and vulnerable, and you get this warm glow in your eyes when you look at her. It’s so sweet. You really are a good dad, you know?”
Animal wrapped his arm around his sister’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for being such a good liar—you almost have me believing it.”
“You are. Lucy just needs a lot of patience, and she also needs some work with her reading. She was struggling with a book that should’ve been a cinch.”
Animal moved away and pounded his fist into his hand. “I told that shit for a teacher that Lucy needed a reading tutor, and she acted like I was a fuckin’ moron.Bitch.I even talked to that sorry excuse for a principal and got the same reaction. Those fuckin’ assholes.”
Jada chuckled. “Parenting is loads of fun, isn’t it?” He glared at her and she held up her hands. “Sorry—bad timing for a joke. Okay … so you could hire a tutor on your own. Schools are cheap and don’t want to spend the money. I mean Lucy’s not horrible at reading, it’s just that she needs some help, otherwise she’ll fall further behind each grade.”
Olivia. And Lucy likes her.“I know someone I can ask.”
“There you go.” Jada slipped on her jacket and gloves then wrapped her scarf around her neck. “I’ll see you later.”
Animal pulled out his wallet and took out sixty dollars and handed it to Jada.
“You don’t have to pay me,” she said. “I love spending time with Lucy.”
“I know, but you helped me out tonight, and I know you could use the cash. Wheelie doesn’t pay you that well at the carwash.”
Jada tucked it into her pocket then zipped it up. “Thanks.” She smiled at him and walked to the door.
Animal opened it up for her. “Call or text me when you get home.”
“I will. See you soon.” She ambled down the sidewalk toward her Chevrolet Tahoe.
He stayed on the porch and watched the red tail lights of the car fade into the night. Animal turned and looked in the direction of Olivia’s house; it was dark and quiet. He slowly turned away and went into his home.
