Wish We Could Turn Back Time m.c

Chapter 28

After I came home from America, I finally did get around to talking to my mum about how her work was going. At the time, she'd said everything was fine, but about a week into the summer, she finally had to come clean.

"Lacey? Could I talk to you for a minuet in the kitchen, dear?" She'd said. Wendy and Darren were up in their rooms, obviously mom picked a time when they couldn't over hear our conversation so as not to worry them.

"Sure mum," I already new it couldn't be good. Her tone had sounded so serious.

"Um, you know how towards the end of the school year after you came back from your trip, I've been going to my afternoon job every day?" I nodded, apprehensive.

"Well, you see honey, I was never actually going to work. While you were gone, I lost my second job and I've been using up all my time searching for a new one but the people in this town just-" she paused to wipe her eyes and sniff a little bit, "just won't hire me anymore." She said the last part in a small, defeated voice, on the verge of tears. I did what any sensible daughter would do and hugged her.

"It'll be okay, mum," I said in her ear (which was about level with my mouth as I'm taller than her.) "Did you have any luck in your job hunting?" I silently prayed that she would say yes.

"No, that's why I'm telling you now! It's just, every local place, I've already worked there and gotten fired so no one will accept my applications!" She said in frustration, still crying.

"Why? You're a great waitress," and she is, I don't know why she keeps getting laid off like this every few months.

"They just get fed up with me being late and taking off so much but I just want time to be with you kids," she was a mess now, leaning up against the kitchen counter and repeatedly dabbing at her eyes and speaking in that squeaky, strained voice that we all have when we cry.

"Well, what're we gonna do? Tell Wendy and Darren?" I asked, confused why she was dumping all this on me now when she's been keeping it a secret for a good three weeks.

"No no no, we don't need to worry them," then why worry me, I thought. "Lacey, I need you to get a job." I felt my eyes widen with horror. "Only while I keep looking for one! Come on sweetie, it's what's best for the family. Lace, I hold you to higher standards. You have to be able to provide when I need you to. When we need you to." Now she was just rambling to defend her point. It's not like I wanted to waste my whole summer working, but I really didn't have a choice if we wanted to continue to live in our house and buy groceries.

"It's okay mum," I stopped her ramblings and grabbed her hands that she was talking with to calm her down. "I'll get a job. Two jobs, even, if I can."

"Oh, than you Lacey," she flung her arms around my neck (she had to reach up) and hugged me. I patted her on the back, like I was expected to. Sometimes though, I get tired of being held to a higher standard. The only one who's ever treated me like an actual person is Michael and Jasmine while my mother goes to one extreme and Charlotte to the other.

So, here I am, walking home from my morning shift at McDonalds, only to go home, change, and walk to my afternoon shift at KFC. Maybe if I kept it up, I could actually get somewhere like Ashton Irwin, former KFC employee. But probably not.

One of the bright sides to my blah summer though is that I've been back in contact with Michael. Sure, he still doesn't know who I am yet, but it's something. I don't want to tell him before we meet or even that we're going to meet. I don't know how he'll react.

When Al started drifting away and then I went to see Jasmine, I honestly kind of forgot to text him when we exchanged numbers. When I came home and my phone started working again, I felt really really bad looking at all the 'hello?' And 'where are you?' Texts that I missed. I immediately texted him back and we've been talking ever since.