That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

for the first time in the last four years, I don’t think about it so often. At night, Kurt and I lie in bed and talk about random things that have me in fits of laughter or sometimes in tears as I tell him stories from my childhood. Not once have I lay there reliving that night or worrying about a mystery noise that I then fixate on for hours.

My writing makes more sense to me now. I have used it as a crutch to get me through the hard parts of the day and night, as much as for my enjoyment. It takes my mind off thinking about anything other than the story.

Coco is at my feet snoring while she keeps my company. Kurt I’m sure is training her like a guard dog the way he commands her to stay whenever he leaves me here alone. Which, if he had a choice, would be never.

Our first argument came yesterday when I told him he needs to go for a surf and get back to work. He just grunted no and thought that was the end of it.

Not a chance!

I told him straight up that he doesn’t get to take over my life now. Nothing changes and that he’s not allowed to smother me. He didn’t like it but eventually backed down. Well, sort of. Last night, he and Seth installed a new security alarm with cameras and fancy alert systems. He gets alerts to his smart watch the moment something is triggered.

Tonight, they are heading over to my house to install the same system. There was already a security system on my house, but Kurt wants it linked to the same as his here, so he is alerted no matter which house if there is a problem.

Although Seth pretends he doesn’t know about Kurt’s past job, he is smart enough to know there is no way he just worked on an oil rig. How much he knows, I’m not sure, but there is one thing I know for sure.

Kurt trusts him, which means I do too.

Looking up from my laptop, I can see Kurt out in the surf in front of his house. The swell is not as good as the waves on the point at my place, but I know he wants to be as close to me as possible.

It’s a compromise. Mediocre surf is better than none.

One thing that’s been a highlight of the last few days is Jodie.

Having a woman to talk to, laugh with, and just be myself around is a craving I’ve had for a very long time. She hasn’t asked any questions, but I know that she knows about Kurt’s past. She suspects like Seth does that there is more to me, but they are respectful enough not to push me for more.

The doorbell ringing has the app on my phone lighting up. Jodie’s face lights up the screen, pulling a stupid face. For someone who is in a serious job, outside of work she has the most wicked sense of humor.

The noise has Coco sitting up, looking for me to give her the okay to go.

Who knew this damn dog was so easy to train? I’ve been trying for a year, and then Kurt comes along, and I can’t move without her shadowing me, and it’s not because she wants food.

“Let’s go, girl, it’s just Jodie.” Jumping to her feet, tail wagging, Coco is ready and waiting for me as I start walking towards the stairs.

Double-checking the screen inside the front door that it’s just Jodie, I open it to her with a bag full of groceries.

“Umm, what the hell are you doing with all this food? It’s not like your brother isn’t capable of shopping,” I say, taking a few bags from her hands as she passes by me.

“You would think so, right? But apparently, he can’t leave you for more than a surf, or so he mentioned to Mom on the phone. So of course, I got the job of picking up all the shopping she did for him, while she’s at home baking up a storm. So be ready for that later today. She is a crazy woman when she cooks. You would think we have a bigger family by the amount she does. Anyway, who are we to complain? It saves me from cooking when I’m on shift.” Finally dropping her bags in the kitchen, Jodie wraps me in a hug and plants a kiss on my cheek.

The first few times, I didn’t know how to take it. Never growing up with siblings and living in a box for such a long time, I forgot what it was like to just be free to touch people.

Now I can’t wait to see her each time and wrap her up tight too.

“How was work this morning? Were you rostered on with that new hot guy again—what’s his name?” I smile as we start unpacking the grocery bags together.

“Nice try, girlfriend. Like I’m telling you. If that brother of mine finds out, then he will have four background checks done on him before I even ask him out for coffee.”

“True. Okay, no names. Let’s give him a nickname. Yes, something like Mr. McHottie. No, too obvious and way too tacky. Umm, what about Sammy Slong.” We both freeze and look at each other, the burst out laughing to the point I’m bending over and trying hard to breathe. I hold my sides as the tears run down my face.

“Stop it, otherwise I’m going to pee my pants,” I struggle to say to her. We both try to draw in breaths while Coco just looks at us like we’re weirdos.

“I know, I’ve got the perfect name!” Jodie looks at me with the lightbulb moment. “Bob!” She’s looking at me with a straight face.

Confused, I reply, “I know I’m going to regret asking this, but why Bob?”

Trying to hold the laughter in, she slowly answers, “Bob, as in B.O.B —battery-operated boyfriend. There is