Ebony Nicole Lewis
25 years ago...... (1997)
I couldn't take it. I was going crazy in this house and I couldn't take it.
Keon was working day in and day out to try and support me and our boys. I was left in the house with two little boys who required all my attention and time. I didn't get a second to sit down and be myself. If it wasn't changing a diaper I was making dinner for my husband.
I love my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world but....
I'm 20 years old, a mother of two and someone's wife. Fresh out of high school living like an old woman.
I set Dale down on the floor to watch Little Bear then head into the kitchen to make a bottle for baby Rowan a bottle. They both had just had a bath so hopefully they go right to sleep after this episode of Little Bear finishes. Then I could take my shower and get ready for bed.
It was already going on 10 and by now I would have the boys sound asleep but it seemed like everything was going wrong. Dale was whining because he was catching a cold and Rowan was just as fussy for whatever reason. Keon decided today would be one of the nights he partakes in his new favorite pastime, drinking.
He turned 21 recently and now that he can drink legally he spends every night at someone's bar. He says it's because the factory job has him tense all day but I didn't believe him. My husband had found a new love by the name of Jack Daniels.
"Ebony! Where you at baby?!" I hear Keon's voice shout from the doorway.
Rowan startles awake with a cry from his mouth. I let out a sigh as I try to rock him back into his sleep. It felt like I was just settling down with the boys and here comes this loud mouth drunk.
"Hey baby. I made your favorite for dinner," I tell my husband walking into the kitchen to warm up the dinner I made for him earlier.
He sits at the table waiting for me to place his plate in front of him and that's exactly what I do. I open a beer and place it next to the plate then sit down in the chair to his right.
Keon picks up his fork and starts to eat the meatloaf I made for him. "I have some news for you. My parents are coming up here to get the boys for a few weeks. They said they wanted to give you a little break. Have them ready by tomorrow night."
Normally the idea of letting my six month old son go across state lines with Keon's crazy ass parents would be scary and an automatic no go, but the way my mind has been lately that has to be the best thing for everyone. It probably would be good for our marriage to have some alone time.
"That's fine. I'll get their bags packed in the morning. Maybe while they're away we can go out on a date or go walking in the park on one of your off days." I suggest getting excited at the possibilities.
Keon just nods his head enjoying his meal letting my ramble on about the different options for alone time we can have. We haven't been able to do anything one on one in months and it was really taking a toll on me. It's nothing like it was when we were kids, real life hit us hard.
The next morning I wake up bright and early at 5 am to start preparing the house for my in-laws to come. I packed the boys enough clothes for two weeks away as well as a bunch of diapers and wipes. Aside from getting the boys prepared I had to make sure the house looked brand new before I had to argue with Phyllis, my mother in law.
You see, much like her son and I. Phyllis and her husband Adam got married right out of high school and raised ten children together. They're originally from Atlanta but moved to Chicago when the factory opened here, they recently took the last four of their children back to Atlanta to get away from the violence. Being from the south they expected me to be the perfect house wife, if I didn't keep our house in tiptop shape they would have a problem. Phyllis was never one to bite her tongue about how she felt about me, my house or even my family. There has been times that I had to step away from her because of how harsh she spoke about me when she was upset.
