Breaking Through Time

Chapter 1 Homelife

"Jack! Come down for breakfast!" I shout while cutting carrots for the lunchboxes and observe the eggs frying in the pan.

"Emily, would you like an egg for breakfast?" I ask while trying to remember what does she need for school today? "Do you have your books to return to the library?"

"Yes, Mum" I hear.

"Do you have the food for the food bank, for school?" I ask while placing an egg and toast in front of her and filling up the water bottles.

"Yes, Mum".

"Jack! Come down! We are going to be late for school!" "Emily, could you please take that. " I hand her couple of tins of custard. "Could you please make sure your brother takes it with him to school too, for his food bank donation?" I ask while instinctively ticking things off my imaginary list in my head. Breakfast - done, lunch boxes - done, lunch for husband...- done, water bottles- done, library books done... Getting out of the house at 8:30?? " What time is it? 8:22...

" Jack! For goodness sake... You will not be able to eat any breakfast! We need to leave in a minute!" Jack!"

" I am here mum, no need to scream" He says in very grown-up, calm voice, while swallowing a whole egg all at once and taking a bite of the toast.

"Oh good" I say and I start to build a plan of everything that still needs to be achieved before we leave the house.. Meat for dinner out of the fridge.. Washing machine on.. Teeth.. "Jack, did you brush your teeth?"

"Why don't you ever ask this of Emily? Did I brush my teeth? What do you think?" He answers calmly, and in a manner that you would have thought he was explaining how the world hunger could be cured by a simple solution.

" Because I know I do not have to ask her, I am asking you and you still have not answered. Did you brush your teeth?"

"Mum, I find this offensive and discriminatory, are you asking just me, because I am a white male?" "Its because she is a girl and you are prejjudiceed?! " He is becoming more dramatical.

"It's prejudiced, and no I am not. Now, Huh me.." I answer calmly while packing lunchboxes into their school bags. "Come on, boy!"

Finally, Jack blows in my face and I receive a stink of unwashed teeth mixed with the smell of chewed breakfast. "Lovely, thanks for that and now rush upstairs and brush your teeth, we need to leave in the next 4 minutes. I am going to put my shoes on. " He rushes off with a defiant grin on his face and I look relieved at the door and see Emily putting her shoes on. Finally, one child that I can count on.

Suddenly my husband makes an appearance. He picks up his lunch and heads towards me. Kisses me in the forehead and says "Thanks, love. Sorry, I am running late this morning.. I couldn't sleep last night, this mattress is really uncomfortable, we really need to do something about it. I will try and research it on-line if I get a chance at work to see if there are any good deals?" I nod in agreement. He looks around... "Where is Jack? Is he going to make it for 8:30? I really can't be late today I have a meeting first thing.. If he won't be down now I will need you to take them to school..'

I look at the watch 8:28 turns to 8:29, I raise my eyebrows and shout "Jack! Come down here right now! Your father can not be late today! Jack!"

"He is always making us late," Emily says while Robert (husband) puts on his shoes.

"Emily, do you have the library books? And the food bank donation ?" I see a nod "For you?" Another nod. " And your brother?" Another nod and she shakes the tin for her brother in her hand as she nods in confirmation.

"Great, Jaaack!"

"No need to raise your voice mum, I am here," He says calmly behind my back as he goes to put on his shoes.

"And its 8:30, we made it!" Robert says as he opens the front door about to leave.

"About time Jack," says Emily with a sigh and walks next to Robert and goes straight outside to wait in the car. Robert gives me a smile and a nod, which in our language means - have a nice day, or good luck today or just survive.. and as he sees me respond in our secret language with a smile and I nod he leaves and after him rushes Jack. I stand at the open front door and look at them getting into the car and shout "I love you!". As they leave I close the door and sigh with relief..

Now, lets start the day. Today on my to do list:

Floors, bathrooms and washing to be done. We have sausages and mash for dinner.. I need to get.. anyway, I won't bore you about my list of things to do, I think you get the gist of it. Anyway, I go off to do my stuff and while I am in the middle of all my chores I hear the doorbell. I take off my cleaning gloves and head for the door while thinking what did I order from amazon? Or was it Robert? He didn't say he ordered something?.. Or is it the water meter man? Is he due now? While filled with all the thoughts of who this might be I open the door and see... him.. The man who is about to change my life..