My Secret Identity

01| How it started

I reclined in bed wondering how long Eric had been hooking up with my best friend before I caught them. I never imagined that Brittney had feelings for Eric. I and Eric had been together since my second year in college. Britt on the other, hand had been my roommate since my first year. Brittney had dated several guys between her first and third year but for some reason they never lasted. She was one who was easily got bored of people. Meanwhile, Eric was a big boy in college who many girls drooled over. I heard rumors of him being promiscuous but I didn't believe it because I guess I easily trusted people. I refused to believe those rumors even when I noticed some sort of withdrawal.

Eric was the first person I dated. At first it was difficult because of my earlier experience with guys when I was younger. But as time passed he proved to be a responsible young man so I slowly started to come out of my shell. Eventually, I opened up to him about how I gave birth to Stacy and he consoled me and made me feel comfortable. I let him into my life completely. He loved my  Stacy...... or so I thought. My mom knew him well and my dad saw him on few occasions before he passed away. Stacy grew fond of him to a point where she started to call him " dada Eric " which made me a bit happy.

In my final year in college, he started to change towards me. He paid little attention to me and gave excuses that he was trying to be more serious so he'd graduate with good grades. I believed him and I still regret it. The attention he gave me continued to reduce so I told him that I wanted to come over to his house to see him. He said he wouldn't be home so I shouldn't bother. But for some reason I decided to go anyway. When I got to his house I  caught him making out with Britney in his room. That was the last time I saw them. He called several times to apologize but I didn't want to have anything to do with him or Brittney....... And that was it .

It took a while to get over it though I didn't really get over it, I just tried not to think about it. But it was difficult because Stacy kept asking why he stopped coming. I couldn't explain to her because she wouldn't understand so everytime she raised the topic I'd yell for her to keep quiet. It made me remember it and so it was hard to heal.

After college I got a job as a surgeon at a hospital so my schedule was wake up, get Stacy to school, go to work, have mom pick Stacy up and go home in the evening. My mom was a surgeon at the Federal Military Medics hospital where injured soldiers were treated. My elder brother on the other hand, was a Colonel in the military. Mother had always been in support until we lost dad. She tried to talk Garret out of the force, but he refused. I must say he took his strong willed attitude from my dad. Mother saw it as stubbornness.

Sadly, I had always dreamed of becoming a member of the force but I couldn't bring up the topic with mom, it would kill her. Also, I couldn't go to a cadet camp because the camps around us weren't training ladies. When father died, I slowed down on that dream of mine. As much as I wanted to be a member of the force, I couldn't risk dying and leaving Stacy behind.

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I heard a brief knock at my door and it opened almost immediately

" Mommy wake up ! "

Shit I cursed within me as I stirred in bed, wishing for just an extra hour of sleep.

" Mommy c'mon breakfast "

" Mommy's not hungry sweetie " I murmured

" But you say breakfast is important "

" I know honey but I just need to rest okay ?
   I'm tired, I worked late yesterday please? "

" Okay but I'll skip breakfast too if I'm tired"

"Ugh Stacy ..."

I murmured and reluctantly got out of bed, said my prayers with her , and dashed into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

" Have you brushed your teeth honey?"

" Yeah "

" Did you do it yourself ? "

" Yeah "

I gargled water to rinse my mouth before stepping out of the bathroom

" Let me see...... You didn't brush your tongue
   did you ? "

She smiled innocently not wanting to tell a lie . That was good, though I had to brush her teeth before we went down for breakfast

" Morning mom, morning bro"

" The sleepyhead finally woke up " Garret said
I went straight to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of orange juice. I couldn't go a day without it. It was always in the freezer no one dared to touch it without my permission.

" Did you brush your teeth young lady ? "

" Mom... C'mon y'know I always brush before
  breakfast, it's Garret who doesn't "

" Baby come give granny a hug, yeah you
  didn't use your bow today why ? "

" I don't like em anymore "

" Aww we'll get you new ones today okay ? "

" Thanks uncle Garret "

" Aren't you going to work today honey ? "

" No mom , I worked two extra shifts yesterday
  so I'll be free for Stacy's appointment with
  her dentist "

" Ohh I forgot about that "

" What about you son ? "

" I don't have plans mom I'll just stay home "

" You're not seeing anyone ? "
She said, giving him a knowing look.

" Mom, again I'm not seeing Gina "

" Well what's wrong with Gina ? "

" Mom I'm not having that conversation "

The good thing was that mom never asked me those kinds of questions because of my experiences with guys . As much as I knew she wanted me to get Stacy a father, I couldn't just dive into it. I wasn't ready for such drama and to be honest, I didn't feel like I really wanted to get married. Maybe just for Stacy's sake, nothing else. Stacy had asked me several times who her dad was, but I told her the truth that I didn't know who he was, or where he was but she probably thought I was kidding. She grew up believing that Eric was her dad and I didn't want to confuse her so I told her that I'd explain to her when she was much older.