Lies

Chapter 10:

Harper was waiting for me on the front porch steps of my house when we got there. What she didn't know was that I had a huge surprise for her. This "girls day" as I liked to call it, took my mind off everything that had happened earlier. At least I hoped it would; and let me have a chance to spend some time with my only daughter and my sister and sister-in-law. Harper was going to love it.

"Ready to go, baby?" I asked, getting out of the car. Harper squealed and nodded, rushing over to me to give me a hug. I noticed the small clutch she held in her hand as she kneeled into the hug and was guessing it was the Frozen one she took everywhere with her. Frozen had basically taken over everywhere almost like a disease. It was starting to get annoying.

I led Harper to the car and opened the back door for her. I helped her little body up into the car and strapped her into her car seat. She sat watching me and seeming to want to be just like me. I smiled and closed the door. She was my daughter after all.

"I have a surprise for you, Harper." I announced, getting into the cool fabric seats of my car. I turned behind me to see her face and it was almost as if a light had awakened her. Harper was squirming, obviously excited for the surprise I had in store for her.

"Kate and Kelly, Aunt Luna and Aunt Nia are coming along too!" I replied, watching her face take on a whole new light. She was smiling from ear to ear and was clapping her hands together, the Frozen purse ditched to the floor of the car. I loved seeing my children like this. So happy just to see a certain person. It would definitely prove to be a great quality when all of them were older. I grabbed Harper's hand and squeezed it.

"I'm so excited!" Harper cried, squirming in her car seat.

"I bet! I had this planned a long time ago but I wanted to surprise you because I know how much you like to spend time with your cousins." I answered, putting my seat belt on and pulling out of the driveway. I drove the opposite way out of town to get to the mall that was stationed a little way off the highway. Not far but not five minutes away as most things were in Ranglewood. We passed by our rich neighbor's houses that were mostly lawyers and doctors and that were too busy to ever really talk to. It was sad really; to have all these neighbors but not ever able to talk to them. It was almost as if we were the only house on the street and the rest gone off the map. We tried to talk with them and to create new relationships but it seemed that nobody wanted to try and were always too busy to see each other. It was one of the things I hated about this world. People were way too into themselves and didn't bother to ever create new relationships.

I turned onto the highway, shaking my head. I looked through the rear view mirror at Harper who was looking out the window. Her dark eyes fixed on something that I couldn't see. I knew just by looking at her that she would break hearts when she was older. She was a beautiful little girl and would be a beautiful teenager one day. If only I would stop worrying about my father for once and start to realize my kids were really only in my life for a fraction of second.

"Mommy?" Harper asked as I changed lanes.

"Yes, honey?" I answered. I gripped the wheel and let out a deep breath. I heard Harper do the same and all I could do was laugh.

"I have to go potty." She announced.

"Why didn't you go at home?" I asked, turning off onto the exit that we needed to take. I could see the mall in the distance with its high ceilinged windows and its many entrances. It was by far one of the biggest malls in Michigan.

"I didn't have to go then." Harper said, almost in tears. My stomach flipped. This was not good. I tried to drive as fast as I could because you never could tell how long a three year old could hold a full bladder.