𝘚𝘖 𝘉𝘈𝘋, 𝘮𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘵

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 12

As soon as the family of three pulled up to the house, Abby ran inside to color. Evelyn was soon to follow, not saying a word to Mike. She knew it was a little dramatic, but she was hurt. And she knew that if Abby had found out, she would be hurt as well. Evelyn was with Abby when she heard Mike enter the house. 

Mike went to his room and called Evelyn in. The girl went into the room and sat on the bed. Mike made his way over to her, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands into his. "Evie, sweetheart. I know what you're thinking, and I'm not going to do that. I will not let my Aunt Jane win. Abby is staying here, with us."

Evelyn let out a little smile, "I know she is. I would've fought you if you had tried to give her away. But, Mike." She moved her hand to pat the side of the bed next to her, telling him silently to sit. After Mike had sat, she continued. "The way you talk about yourself... I don't like it. I mean, you had taken care of Abby for a while before I came back. You did a great job, and that was all on your own. You are capable of raising her, because you already have."

Mike's lips formed into a smile. He loved how she thought of him. He wanted to think of himself like that too. He leaned in to leave a gentle kiss on her lips. Pulling away, he said, "I kind of did, didn't I? I just.. I don't know how I'm doing. She doesn't talk to me. I can't get her to do anything."

"She's a kid, honey. She is going to want to do her own thing. She's testing you. Testing to see how far she can go. It's normal. She is being a kid. You are doing a great job Mike, don't think otherwise." Evelyn said. Mike nodded his head and pulled her into a hug. The pair melted into one another. 

"Wanna take a nap?" Mike said, looking down at her. Evelyn shook her head up and down, heading straight for the covers. Mike chuckled as he followed her. The pair cuddled up, and were out like a light.

Abby was laying on her stomach on the ground watching TV as Evelyn was on the couch. Evelyn perked up as she heard Mike's bedroom door close. Mike had a card in his hand as he made his way to the kitchen table. Evelyn had gotten up and sat next to him. Mike moved his hand to show her who he was about to call. Steve, the career counselor. 

She gave him a smile and a quick hug before she urged him to make the call. Mike pressed the phone keys and waited for the line to be picked up. Steve picked up fairly fast and answered, "Hello." 

"Uh, hi. Mr. Raglan, this is Mike." Mike replied as he kept looking at Evelyn for moral support. "Mr. "I can't work nights." Evelyn let out a little scoff as she could hear the man. "Right. Uh, yeah, I was just calling to see if that job that you offered was, uh, was still available." Mike was flapping the card up and down, a habit from his anxiety.