The Infamous Frankie Lorde 2, page 21
“I’m not a plant, Uncle Scotty,” I said, jokingly. “I can remember to water myself.”
Uncle Scotty laughed, but I could tell he’d meant what he’d said.
“Thank gosh,” he said, faking relief. Then his smile faded. “But on a serious note, I do worry about whether I’m doing a good job being…parenty. Am I the best person to be raising a young girl? Am I enough for you? Am I doing everything wrong despite trying to do everything right? It’s hard for me to…be the sole person someone relies on to stay alive.”
“I get that,” I said, thinking about my little meltdown after realizing I’d put Ollie in danger with the exotics.
“So, maybe we take this cat home, and I can work on my fear of bringing home strays, and you can work on staying put for a while and not feeling so fenced in. What do you say?”
I lowered my head and breathed in Geronimo’s smell. She was perfect. Not too needy but there when you did need her.
And I’d loved her at first sight, which rarely happened with me. I hadn’t even liked Ollie the first time I’d met him.
“Okay,” I agreed. “But I’m not cleaning up her poop.”
Uncle Scotty came over and hugged me and Geronimo at the same time.
“Geronimo is both of our responsibilities. We’ll both be cleaning her poop,” he said, then made a face.
“Fiiiiine,” I said, acting annoyed. Then I held my new pet’s squishy face up to mine and said, “What do you say, girl? Wanna come home with us? We’re all kinds of crazy, but you’ll be loved.”
Then I started to laugh.
It was the perfect description of what you got when you entered a Lordes’ house.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to thank everyone who had a hand in making this book happen.
That means you.
Yeah, you, there in the back.
I absolutely couldn’t have finished Going Wild without your help and support.
Also, Bethany Buck, my editor extraordinaire. Thank you for loving Frankie like I do and for watching my back along the way.
The ultra-talented folks at Pixel+Ink, who took my words and shaped them into the book you’re reading now. So much love to Sara DiSalvo, Michelle Montague, Terry Borzumato-Greenberg, Steve Scott, Whitney Fine, Raina Putter, Lisa Lee, Hannah Finne, Julia Gallagher, Miriam Miller, Alison Weiss, Mary Cash, and Derek Stordahl.
Reiko Davis, you’ve become more than just an agent to me. You’re my sounding board, my cheerleader, and most of all, my friend. Thank you for your confidence, advice, and kindness. You’re rad.
La-la-la-la-la-la-la, a little bit Kayla. Thanks for lending me your ear, opinions, and name to the second installation of Frankie.
Natasha, I appreciate all the texts of encouragement and check-ins you sent while I was writing this book. Thank you for being willing to read version one of Going Wild. You’re an author’s dream reader. And a gal’s best friend.
Mom, I know that I’ve created a great book when you can’t wait to read the next chapter. I couldn’t ask for a better compliment or support system.
Dad, you’re not an infamous international thief, but you have taught me a thing or two over the years. Thanks for fueling my love of creativity and talking books with me.
Jacey, you are the basis for every cool character I’ve ever written.
Amy, you always challenge me to be better.
Andrea and Price, nobody has more fantastic in-laws than I do. Nobody. Well, except for maybe Katy.
Katy, your dedication, determination, and drive inspire me. You’re more than a SIL.
Ryan, your accomplishments keep me on my toes. Your support is boundless.
Finally, to the loves of my life:
Huck and Grey, I hope you race after life’s adventures like I race around after you. I’m always thinking of you when I’m writing.
Matty, you are my perfect other half. Thank you for pushing me to follow my dreams and for letting me run all my ideas by you…even when they turn out to be about pre-teen girls who kick butt and have sassy attitudes. You’re the best leading man in my book.
JOIN FRANKIE’S SQUAD
Interested in being an animal crusader like Frankie and her pals? From your local shelters to global organizations, here are a few groups that are fighting the good fight. Check them out and then figure out how you can get involved.
ASPCA
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
www.aspca.org
Humane Society
www.humanesociety.org
World Wildlife Fund
www.worldwildlife.org
Animal Legal Defense Fund
www.aldf.org
International Animal Rescue
www.ifaw.org
Lions Tigers and Bears
A big cat and exotic animal rescue
www.lionstigersandbears.org
Ways you can be a hero today:
• adopt a rescue
• volunteer at a local shelter or organization
• become an advocate by educating others about your cause
• fundraise and/or donate money to a group you believe in
• report any cruelty or mistreatment of animals
Brittany Geragotelis, The Infamous Frankie Lorde 2
