Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{54}

January 2017
I opened the front door. Saturday afternoons were always a surprise to me. I never knew who was going to come knocking on our front door. This time, it was Kimberly. Which, was relieving. I missed her the most out of all of my friends. I loved hanging out with her and the kids loved her. River sat on my hip. He was finally old enough to do that. River babbled, sort of pointing at Kimberly. She smiled widely, gasping and tickling his stomach softly. She shut the door behind her, walking in, "i'm so glad that you could actually come over."

"Of course I'd come. Wouldn't miss it."

The both of us walked into the living room. Brendon was sitting down on the floor with Clover—playing with her on the ground. He glanced up, realizing Kimberly was there. He got up quickly and opened his arms, embracing her for only a moment. I sat down on the couch and Brendon leaned over, kissing my forehead—then rubbing the hair on River's head. I put River down on his blanket on the ground. Brendon sat by him for his tummy time, even though River was a bit advanced, "they really are getting big, Jojo."

My lips pouted and I closed my eyes and my eyebrows furrowed. I leaned my head back for a moment, "I know. I know. River's already four months old and Clover's second birthday will be here in no time. Daphne's eleven and she'll be in high school in two years."

"Oh, Joanne. It's okay." Brendon murmured.

I glanced at Brendon and tilted my head. I rubbed my hands on my legs, then leaning back. I heard a door slam shut, "Mom!"

I got up quickly as I heard Daphne's distraught voice yell. Brendon got up with me and we ran upstairs. Daphne was standing in the hallway and she was crying. I ran up to her, kneeling and resting my hands on her shoulders. Brendon stood behind me, with his hands on his hips, "what's wrong, honey?"

Daphne sniffled. Her arms wrapped tightly around me and she kept crying. I pulled away, moving her hair out of her face and wiping her tears. I got up, guiding her to the bathroom. Brendon followed her in, comforting her. I walked into her room. The more I walked in, the more nervous I got. I was scared there was something seriously wrong. I glanced at her bed. A stain of blood was in the middle of her sheets and bed. I gasped. Putting my hands over my mouth and closing my eyes. I walked out of the room, into the bathroom. I shoved Brendon out and locked the door behind me. Daphne was sitting on a towel on the toilet. I kneeled in front of her, "honey. You don't need to worry."

"What's happening? Why am I bleeding down there?"

I sighed, pulling strands behind her ear, "it's a part of woman hood, sweet girl."

"What?"

"You got your period," I began, "you remember what I taught you a couple months ago about periods?"

Daphne modded her head. I opened the cabinet, pulling a pad out and handing it to her. She took it out of my hand and I got up, kissing her forehead, "let me get you a change of clothes first. Dad and I will change your sheets. Just relax, okay?"

My hand rested on the doorknob and Daphne nodded at me. I opened the door and shut it slightly. Brendon was standing in the hallway and I dragged him into Daphne's room. He shut the door behind him. I opened her drawers, grabbing everything she needed, "What happened? Is she okay?"

I turned around and sighed, "she got her period."

Brendon's jaw dropped and worry flashed in his eyes, "i'll be back."

He hurried out of the bedroom. I stared off. I didn't know what he was doing, and I didn't want to know. Whenever he went off without telling me what was going on—it was normally because Brendon was getting something for me to cheer me up.