Still Here

Chapter Six

"Mommy, can I have a dog?" Shiloh asked after passing the pet aisle at the grocery store.

"No," Keanna replied flatly.

"Aw! Why not?"

"Because I'd be the one taking care of the dog."

"I'd take care of the dog!" Shiloh boasted, running to catch up with her mother.

"Are you gonna clean up dog poop everyday?"

"Ew, no! That's nasty!" Shiloh cried.

"I rest my case. Can we focus on getting lunch for school instead of dogs please?"

The first day of kindergarten was in a week and time was going by so fast. Keanna's been feeling overwhelmed for the past few days especially now that she's moved in with Aubrey. She thought he would help her out but instead he works unpredictable hours and then argues with her at night. Kendrick keeps looking better and better.

While picking up bread, Keanna's phone rings. Kendrick is calling. Though she knows another argument will start tonight, she picks up anyway.

"Hey, Kendrick," she greeted.

"Hey, Key. What's going on?"

"Nothing. Just buying food for Shiloh's lunches." She tosses the bread into the basket.

"Oh yeah, school's next week. Do you need any help?"

That's what Keanna was looking for in Aubrey. He never asked if she needed help with anything.

"At the moment, I'm good but I'll call you if I need you." Keanna motioned Shiloh to keep up with her.

"Alright. Look, Keanna, what happened the other night at Aubrey's was really weird and I don't know if I should be around you and Shiloh when you're at his place," Kendrick said.

"Please don't worry about him. Aubrey is not scary. I moved in with him so technically it's my place too. Don't stress, okay?"

"Okay," Kendrick sighed. "You know I like you, right?"

Keanna's cheeks burned when hearing those words. The corners of her mouth turned up and she twirled a loose curl around her finger.

"Yeah," she replied.

"But if you're happy with Aubrey then I won't get in the way."

Keanna hasn't told Kendrick he's her backup plan. She didn't want to. No one likes being second choice and she didn't need him to leave. She definitely needed a plan B.

"That's sweet of you, Kendrick," Keanna said.

"Kendrick's calling? I wanna talk to Kendrick!" Shiloh cried jumping up and down.

"Okay, but you need to hush. Inside voice, please." Keanna put Shiloh in the shopping cart and handed her the phone.

"Hi, Kendrick," Shiloh squeaked.

Keanna smiled at her daughter's simple one syllable responses and cute giggles. Kendrick has become Shiloh's new dad and though that elated Keanna, it didn't make Aubrey happy at all.

"Yes....yes...no...ok...love you too...bye bye." Shiloh hung up and handed the phone back to Keanna.

"Alright, let's pay and get outta here." Keanna made her way to the checkout line and paid for the groceries.

She tried to think about what she'd say when Aubrey found out about the call. She even thought about telling Shiloh not to tell him Kendrick called but she didn't want to teach her daughter to be dishonest. Keanna did wish Shiloh didn't tell on her all the time though.