“Yeah. I finished the orange juice and milk too.”
My mouth opened to ask if he did his other chores when he continued.
“Trash is out, brushed my teeth, and the doors are all locked.”
Smirking, I couldn’t help praising him. “You’re brilliant. Must be my DNA.”
“Yeah, I know, mom. Are you almost here? It’s hot as hell outside already.”
I turned up the A/C in the car and pulled onto the same street we lived on for the last five years, honking as I slid to a stop in front of our house.
Zane shook his head but flashed me an amused grin as he opened the door and flopped down onto the passenger seat. Once he buckled in, I headed toward Hwy 95 and our destination.
“How was your morning?” I asked, making small talk as I merged into traffic.
He shrugged. “Talked to Casey. We’ve got plans when I get back.”
“What kind of plans? Basketball?”
“Shootin’ some hoops. Meeting up with friends.”
“Sounds fun.”
A smile teased the corners of his lips. “And Janessa will be there.”
“Pretty Janessa?”
He groaned, rolling his eyes at me. “Don’t call her that.”
“Why not? You said she was pretty twice yesterday,” I reminded him.
“Mom. Please.”
Biting my lip, I flashed him a grin. “Fine. I won’t call her Pretty Janessa.”
“You just did,” he pointed out, leaning his seat back.
“Tired? What time did you get up this morning?”
“Too early,” he grumbled. “Rexy wouldn’t stop howling.”
Our German Shepherd T-Rex was feisty, and when something caught his notice, he didn’t stop until Zane or I checked it out. Usually, it was a bird or small animal, or he just had to go outside.
“Did he calm down once you took him out?”
“Yeah, but then he wouldn’t stop licking my face and dropping his ball on my head.”
“Silly dog.” I couldn’t help laughing. “He loves you.”
“I almost locked him in the back yard,” Zane muttered, kicking off his shoes and placing his feet on the dash. “Simone came over and picked up the key. Told her Rexy was extra feisty today.”
“She loves to dog sit.”
“She does. Told me to tell you not to worry.” He yawned and stretched. “Gonna shut my eyes for a bit.”
“Go ahead. I’ll wake you when we reach the Clown Motel.”
“IS THAT A CEMETERY?” Zane asked as we parked in front of a long row of brightly painted rooms in primary colors. “Seems a bit sus.”