Million-Dollar Man

[Two: A New Opportunity]

[June 17th, 2015]

The next day, I woke up feeling optimistic. Even Wednesday could feel the change in the air. The couple next door wasn't arguing, the cars outside weren't blaring their horns, and the weather was perfect for a trip to the park. My call was due today, but I wasn't worried about it. "Mama!" Wednesday called from her pack-and-play next to the TV. "Baby!" I called back from the couch. Wednesday was very intelligent, but she was constantly needing me. I wasn't much for attachments even though I tried to be. "I'm hungry!" "I know, darling, but Mommy doesn't have any money." I bit my lip to hold back a frustrated sigh and lit a cigarette. "Come here." I got her out of the pack-and-play and set her on the ground. She immersed herself in a book, undoubtedly my romance novel, left abandoned on the floor. 

"Can we go to the park, Mama?" Wednesday said after a few minutes. I knew the book wasn't much in the way of entertainment, so I gave in. "Sure, baby. Let me throw away my cigarette." After doing so, I hoisted her up onto my shoulder and surveyed the apartment. Littered with toys, magazines, and the occasional cigarette butt, I wasn't cleaning like I should be. I need to take care of that later.

Wednesday and I walked to the park. Once there, I sat by another young mom named Ivy. Like me, Ivy had two full-sleeve tattoos and a bad smoking habit. "Hey, Ivy!" I said, propping Wednesday up between us. She didn't like that and ran off to join the other kids. "Hey, Morti," Ivy said, rummaging through her purse and coming up with a bib. "Here, Jake," she sighed to her oldest son. "Take this to Jo and hurry." The tot took off, leaving the two adults alone. "Are you still looking for a job?" Ivy said, dropping her purse nonchalantly on the ground. "I applied for a babysitting job yesterday. It's every weekday from nine to five. I guess I'll take Wednesday with me. It's not much use having her at Charlotte's." "If that job falls through, I can get you a job at the Wendy's with me," Ivy said. "I hope I won't have to fall back on a backup plan," I sighed. "I need a constant in my life." 

"You won't get a constant with a three year old girl and no man," Ivy said. "By the way, have you heard from Vlad lately?" "Of course not," I said, smiling legitimately. "And I don't want him in Wednesday's life anyway. He's trouble all wrapped up in a suit and tie." "I agree..that man. Whenever you would bring him to parties he was always a drag." "Yeah." Ivy and I also shared the same type of lifestyle-parties, alcohol-until The Incident-, and occasionally drugs, though I tried to avoid them. Ivy was hooked on a certain kind. I could bet and most definitely be right that she had some in her purse as we spoke.

After a little while, I began to grow restless. Wednesday was still at play with one of Ivy's six, a raggedy little girl a little older than her. Ivy was picking at her cuticles and fixing to light a cigarette. I was almost ready to get Wednesday so we could go home when my phone rang. My pulse began to race-was this the job center? I hit the "answer" button and spoke. "Hello?" "Is this Morticia LaFayette?" "Yes," I said, my throat beginning to dry. I could feel my arteries pulsating. "I called to let you know that Mr. Gomez Addams has accepted your application. You begin tomorrow." "Oh my gosh! Yes!" I shrieked, hanging up and leaping off the bench. "Did you get the job?" "Mhm!" I nodded, flicking my wrists excitedly to keep myself from crying out in happiness.

"When's your first day?" Ivy, losing interest, turned back to her cigarette. "Tomorrow. Darn, I forgot to ask if I could bring Wednesday. Frick." I picked up my purse and stood up. "Got to go, Ivy. I have to go home and get ready for work tomorrow!" "You don't start until tomorrow," Ivy complained. I ignored her, scooped up a startled Wednesday, and ran home.

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-misswednesday xx