The Struggle Of Our Lives

Chapter 14, continued.

Over the years, we kept collecting wood and other loot from the woods to keep us alive, as well as continuing to go to work and school when we could.

I ended up making enough money to decorate our garage and changing room enough to look semi-impressive.

This place had become our pride and joy.

——-

Today, we were celebrating the twins 10th birthday. We were in our garage we had turned into a home, decorated with a loft bed big enough for the three of us to sleep together, a small couch and a 30 inch TV we had bought during our second month here, only costing about $100.

The ceiling was decorated with hanging fairy lights and handmade cloud decorations we made on my 11th birthday with cotton balls and battery operated lights.

The window's small curtains were closed, along with the automatic door, making the room completely dark.

I flicked on my lighter and lit the twin's birthday cake. It was made with rainbow buttercream frosting and purple fondant on the sides and top, being a perfect mix between their favorite colors.

I lit the two candles on top of the cake with my rainbow lighter, a gift from Adam, and the flame gave enough light to see the candles were shaped like the number 10.

I began singing to the kids, happy to see they looked amazed with the cake, after all, I made it with Amelia's help after my shift from earlier.

Once I stopped singing, and wished them many more birthdays, as per tradition in our family, I told them to make a wish, which they did. They looked at each other in the eyes for just a moment as if establishing a mutual wish, and blew out the candles together.

I clapped for them, whooping and congratulating them on turning 10. I opened the curtains and flicked the door open so we could see.

The two held hands as I sliced their cake for the three of us. I gave them their plates first, since they were the birthday babies. They waited patiently as I cut myself a slice, then I waited for them to have the first bite.

Their faces instantly lit up and looked at me with eyes that said "wow! This is great!"

I laughed at their reactions, and asked how they weren't tired of my baking, which they scoffed at, as if I asked a stupid question.

I laughed and continued eating my cake and we talked about our days. Once the twins turned 8, they had decided the excuse that we were "on vacation" was no longer cutting it, forcing me to tell them what really happened.

We all cried for a bit, before I apologized for lying to them for so long, which Lotte dismissed, thanking me for letting them be kids for a while longer.

Since then, we had always celebrated John the morning after the twins' birthday, to honor our memories we had with him, exchanging stories and whatnot.

The kids thanked me for the meal, and I asked them if they were ready to get to bed, which they replied yes. I turned once again to flick the switch on the garage door, and turned off the lights so only the clouds emitted light.

I drew the curtains to a close, and climbed up the ladder I had made to get into the loft bed. Once we were all in bed, Teddy turned to me and mumbled something.

"Huh?" I asked.

"I forgot to tell you, there's this boy in-"

Charlotte and I made a small chorus of "oooohs" and "ayyys" to pick on him, which he replied with, "ugh, guyyyss."

We laughed and asked him to go on. He sighed and started again, "There's this boy in my music class that has been looking at me funny for a few weeks, so I asked him about it and he said it's because he likes me!" He said excitedly.

The two of us girls squealed  and congratulated him on his news, us knowing for a while that he's also liked that boy.

We squeezed him tight and gave him another round of "good job!" before finally going to bed.

We slept peacefully that night, with happy thoughts all around.

—

We woke up at 6, per usual, and got up to get ready for school and work. It was now October and the kids were in 5th grade. I hadn't shown up to school in years during this time, only showing my teachers I was alive by attending their online classes. Fortunately, the sessions were pre-recorded, so all I had to do was watch the video whenever I had time, and do the homework.

I was forever thankful to my teachers for allowing me to learn remotely, as I had briefly explained our situation to the principal, asking for extra credit during our first year away from our parents.

Once ready, we found our usual bus, and stopped at the twins' school. Due to our lack of running water, we had quickly begun to brush our teeth in the public bathrooms of our respective buildings.

I kissed the kids goodbye and walked back across the street to get to Miranda's. I greeted Amy at the front desk, who had been hired to specifically stay in reception so I could work more with customers.

I flipped the CLOSED sign, so that the OPEN side was facing outside. It was a bit old fashioned, but gave the restaurant some charm.

I walked to the back of the store to get to the back room, and plopped my stuff down in my tall and cold metal locker. I took off my thin sweater, hanging it on the hook on the inside of the door.

This revealed my tiny gray "spaghetti" strap tanktop. I had chosen to wear a pushup bra for more effect.

I quickly turned to check myself out in the full body mirror next to a wooden table with makeup and perfume on it. My shirt made me much older, In other words, more developed, helping me keep my real age hidden from customers.

Time to get this show on the road.