Journey Of Hearts

16. Raspberries

Slumping back into the chair, I rub my temples as my phone pings on the top of my desk. I reach to it and unlock the phone to see the notification from Stella. Her text reading that my Aunt had picked Blaze up.

Today had turned into a very long shift that made it so that I wouldn't be there to pick Blaze up from school when it ended, when I realized that I had messaged Aunt Rachel immediately. She was more than happy to pick Blaze up from school and I couldn't be more thankful. My job is one that has that chance of being longer than the scheduled shift.

With my phone in the desk drawer, I finish up the surgery report before I turn the tablet off and gather my things. I change from my scrubs and walk to my car within a short time. Sitting in the seat of the car, I push work from my mind before starting the car and driving down the road.

I knock on the front door and Penelope opens it with a smile. "Mom and I were just setting the table for dinner. Mom we need another plate." She turns and calls to Aunt Rachel. 

My feet step inside and close the door. "That is okay. I will eat at home."

"Nonsense." Aunt Rachel narrows her eyes at me as she places down another plate. "You need a good hot meal after working a long shift. Come sit down and eat."

"Yes ma'am." I mumble and walk over to the table.

Small footsteps sound before I turn my head and open my arms up to Blaze as he races for me. "Dad!" I hug him tight after he crashes into me.

"How was school?"

"It was so much fun today." Blaze smiles after I sit him in the chair next to me and listen to everything he done today at school as Aunt Rachel fills his plate with food and Uncle Josh handing me bowls to work on my plate as we pass the dishes around to get what we want.

"That sounds like fun." I smile and pat Blaze's back before picking up the fork and beginning to eat the parmasan chicken and sides. "How is your project coming along?" I look to Penelope as she sighs.

"The teacher added more to it today." Her eyes roll before twirling her fork through the pasta on her plate. "Now not only does our powerpoint have to be a total of twenty slides long on the science topic we picked but we must have a written report of ten thousand words that goes into detail over the topic we will be giving a presentation on."

"What topic did you pick?" I ask before taking a bite of my chicken.

"Wildfire impacts dealing with regenerations and how it affects the carbon storage in the atmosphere."

I whistle and shake my head. "That is a nice topic to focus the project base on as there is a lot of data and information out there."

Penelope nods. "I had to have it approved by the teacher because it wasn't on the list we had to pick from but I didn't want something that four other students would be picking because then it will be hard to check those books out from the library since we are not allowed to use the internet and have to site everything we use to find the information."

"Try the public library too if the restriction is only on using books."

Penelope nods. "Mom is taking me after dinner." Aunt Rachel nods.

We finish eating and I help clean the kitchen to Aunt Rachel and Uncle Josh trying to stop me from it. The dishwasher is loaded up and Blaze walks up with his back pack. We bid them a goodnight and get into my car, driving us home in no time.

Blaze goes to his room and I see as he pulls toys from his large toybox. I grab a book from the shelf by the tv and turn on a random cartoon as Blaze comes in with some of his toys and sits on the floor, as I flip the book open.

Time passes as the sun sets and Blaze walks over to me with a book in his hand. "Can you read this to me?"

I nod. "After you get ready for bed." Blaze smiles and puts the book down before racing to his bedroom and I see him pulling out his pj's. When he comes out, I pull him to my side and open the book then begin reading about the a boy and his dog on their adventure in a sports car of sorts.

As I finish the short book, I look down and smile as Blaze is fast asleep with a smile on his face. I lean over and place the book on the table, before moving Blaze and picking him up. I lay Blaze in his bed and pull the covers up, kissing his forehead. "Sweet dreams, my son." I smile as I stand up straight.

I pull his door just about too after flipping on his nightlight. My stomach growls lightly and I walk to the kitchen in search of some food. Opening the freezer, I pull out the rasberrries and place them in a bowl. My hands go to the bin once more and I grab half a slice of lemon and close the door to the refrigerator. I grab the sugar jar and pull it over, squeezing the lemon on over the rasberries I then add a little sugar and stir it all together before grabbing a yogurt and a bottle of water.

My body rests against the couch with my snack in my lap and I flip the tv onto a movie I hadn't finished from the night before. The food is gone quickly and I slowly drink the water as the movie finishes. I turn the tv off and clean up the bowl and spoon before making my way to my bedroom and laying in bed.

A ping on my phone shows my calendar, as I turn to pick it up. I smile that tomorrow is a no school day and my day off work so I don't bother setting the alarm.