Off Balance

Chapter 3

The chores on the list that Jill gave me were relatively easy. I was to clean out the gutters, rake the front yard, weed-eat around her flower beds, etc. These were things that I absolutely hated doing, but they were not difficult. She also wanted me to give their dog, Anne, a bath.

I quickly got started because each of these things was going to take a considerable amount of time. I had to remind myself continuously that this was for the good. I loved Jill and Charlie and was glad to help them out. It helped that I had a hot girl waiting for me when this was all said and done.

Blondes weren't typically my type, but I liked this one enough. Rose definitely liked to party, which was right up my alley. She and I had planned to have dinner tonight and then go to a party tonight but obviously, those plans got canceled. Tomorrow, we decided to just have lunch. It wasn't preferable but neither was having Jill on my ass.

Around 1:30 in the afternoon, Jill brought me a turkey sandwich, a small bag of Doritos, a cookie, and some lemonade, "Can't let my boy go hungry," she said as she ruffled my hair.

I ate quickly so I could get back to work. Working the last two hours had worked up an appetite. I still had most of the chores left on my list and I wanted to be done as soon as possible.

I had been working several hours, only enjoying myself when I knew I was out of sight and could hit my vape. I hit it often enough at school, at work, and even at home but when I was at Jill's, I had to be certain she wouldn't catch me. So far, I had managed to be stealthy enough and she had not caught me. Knock on wood though.

As the hours dragged on, I was getting more and more agitated. I was over doing all this work outside with no breaks and no music or anything to keep me company. All I had for entertainment was whatever I thought of in my head and my head wasn't always the best place to be. Even then, I feel like I had already thought about everything there was to think about.

At what I would guess was 5:30, I only had two things left on my list. Jill came out the door as I was putting away the weed eater. She waited for me on the porch.

"Almost done, kiddo?" she asked with a caring smile.

By that point, my mood was shot. I was hot and sweaty. I was hungry. I was tired. I just wanted to go home.

"Yes," I replied grumpily.

"How much do you have left?" she asked, clearly ignoring my mood.

"Some."

"Which chores?"

"I don't know. Chores," I started to walk away but she grabbed my elbow.

"What's with the attitude?" she raised her eyebrow.

"I'm sick of doing this shit!" I raised my voice slightly.

"Watch your mouth, Andrew. You better check your attitude real quick. You're still grounded as of right now," she warned me.

"I don't even care. I have been doing your stupid chores all fucking day. I'm hot, I'm tired, and I'm ready to go home!"

"Andrew Oliver! I warned you to drop your attitude, young man. Get in the house!" Jill demanded.

I rolled my eyes but did as she said. I was ready for the air conditioner.

As soon as we stepped through the door, she ordered, "Get your nose in that corner, now!"

"I'm not going to stand in fucking timeout like a fucking three-year-old," I informed her.

Right at that time, Charlie came through the door.