taraji h.
two days later...
my alarm went off at 7. i jumped up when i realized i had to get my kids dressed and to school. i went to sleep late last night because of tasia. since her house is being renovated, she's staying with me for the time being. that's a good thing, because now bryce is with me every day. now i have all of my kids under the same roof—that's my happiness.
i rubbed over my face and stood up. i slipped on my house shoes and made my way out the room and down to Winter room. her door was wide open, but she wasn't in there. and to my surprise, her room was clean and her bed was made—i was truly impressed. she ain't never did that.
i continued to autumn's room and her door was opened too, but she wasn't in there either. her room is always spotless, so i'm not as surprised.
neither of them are loud nor in their rooms—that's new. bryce room is empty as well. i figured everybody was just downstairs, so i went down. before i hit the last step, i heard winter laughing.
tasia noticed me first. "look who finally decided to wake up."
i smiled and proceeded down.
when i made it all the way down, everybody was dressed and eating breakfast. the kitchen was spotless. bookbags were placed neatly by the door. winter was sitting quietly, and that shocked me the most. her area was even clean. usually she'd eat and waste food on the floor or counter, but it was spotless.
"good morning, mama," autumn and winter said at the same time.
i kissed all three of them on the head. "good morning. what's going on?"
"well, since you were asleep, i got up early to cook some breakfast and to get them ready for school. i'm here, so i may as well make myself useful, and besides, i don't mind."
"you know you don't have to lift a finger. i got—"
"me," she cut me off. "you got me. i'm here, and i wanna help out. let me."
i threw my hands up, surrendering. "aight. you got it mama."
she walked over to the microwave. "i know." she smirked. "you wanna eat now?"
i rubbed my stomach dramatically, "yes. my stomach is touching my ass."
"okay. orange or apple juice?"
"orange, of course. apple juice ain't hitting on nothing."
winter gasped. "mama, don't say that."
"i'm sorry. i don't like it." i shrugged and went to sit next to autumn. "how you feeling?"
"my stomach is hurting a little, but i'm okay."
"rate the pain. scale of one to ten."
"hmmm... maybe like a... six. it's not as bad as it was yesterday."
"okay. a six ain't that bad. if it gets worse, let the teacher know, and she'll send you to the nurse to take the pain medicine. don't let it hurt too much to where it's keeping you from focusing on yo work. yo mama told me how bad that cramping stuff can be."
she covered her face a little—she does that when she feels embarrassed. "mama, you tell me this everyday."
"i know. i just wanna make sure you be ok."
unfortunately for them, i am the helicopter mama. i try not to be, but it is what it is.
"i'm ok. if i start feeling bad, i'll tell my teacher."
tasia sat my food and drink on the dining table next to hers.
"okay." i didn't push any further.
i turned to winter. "and you... you need to be focused too. i know about that phone call toya received yesterday."
