Page 31 of Without Warning
“Stay there, ladies.My mom raised a gentleman,” I tell them both, and they remain seated.
Rounding the vehicle, I let Delphi out first.
“I’ll be sure to tell her what a gentleman you are,” Delphi says as she moves to the back of the truck.
She doesn’t know what her words mean, and my heart hurts for a moment.When I let Daphne out, she immediately hugs me.
“She doesn’t know.I haven’t told her,” she whispers in my ear.
It warms my heart, making it thump harder that she’s worried about me.
“It was a long time ago.But thank you, little girl,” I whisper back.
“Did I miss something?”Delphi asks.
“Darrell lost his parents years ago.”
“Oh my God.I’m always putting my foot in my mouth.I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“It’s fine.”I nod and touch her arm as I move to the back of the vehicle.“My sister was still in high school when it happened.”
“I read about your sister.She’s a bigwig at the Nashville Zoo.She traveled around before she settled there.”
“Yeah.I’m hoping to take Daphne up there in a couple of weeks to meet her and my niece and nephew.”
“I’m going to be moving to the Nashville area.Haven’t decided where yet.I need to hurry because I move in two weeks.I think I’m going to do what Daphy is doing and just rent a condo, although I want to buy.”
“Where around Nashville are you thinking?”I ask her.“I know several areas.I have friends who live in Chapelville.I could get a hold of them and see if they know of any places.”
“Oh, that would be nice.”
“Give me a moment.”
After I get their bikes out of the back of the truck, I text Poseidon to see if he has any ins.He’s a part of Cronus’s group and works for a construction company too.Then I message Jethro, telling him to have the clerk at the boutique where I got Daphne’s gown pull two outfits for the women.I tell him to make sure they’re styles they’ll like.He sends back an emoji face with its tongue stuck out.
“One of these days, I’m going to fire that smart ass.”
“Who?”Daphne asks.
“Jethro.He’s giving me a hard time.”
“Doesn’t he take days off?”
“No.He’s paid well enough to work whenever I need him.”
“After he finishes those couple of tasks you gave him, tell him to take the rest of the afternoon off.”
I text him.
Me
Daphne says to tell you once you complete these tasks, you can take the afternoon off.
I’m not shocked by his response, and I show her.
Jethro
Am I being fired?
