London

28 Lokkel Row.

Chapter 4. (Brie)

It's 6:12 in the morning. Why God? Why? I sit on the counter in the kitchen with Marie in my hip. She said she wanted a Mom. I can't help but want to adopt all of them. Jason told me their stories. Jason's parents died, as did Jacks's. Max was kidnapped and left on the streets. And the twins... abandon at birth.
I make some coffee and look through the help wanted pages. I hear Amanda coughing in her bedroom. Me and Marie go in and cool her down with the wet towels. Back in the kitchen I see a restaurant add.

Wanted: Waitress works
minimum wage (£9.15)

28 Lockkel Row.

I see that they open at 5. Maybe I should go in. Will Amanda be okay? Is Jason capable of helping? I have to go in. The money I had transferred is not a lot and I spent a good bit on groceries. I need the money. I have to go in.
I sneak into the living room stepping over the boys I make it to Jason. I hate to, but I need to. I shake him gently and he opens his eyes. "Hi Brie." He says kindly, but tired. "What's up?"
"I need you to look after Amanda for a hour or so. Okay?" He nods and walks into her bedroom.
"Why?"
"I am going to go get a job."
"Take the boys. They might help the boss feel sorry for you." He yawns and goes in Amanda's bed room. Hmmm, he might be right.
"I want to go." I hear Max say.
"Me too." Marie chimes in.
"Fine wake the other two and ask. And I'll go get your clothes from the dryer." I say. I go and get all their clothes that are nice and warm. I come back and all four of them are on the sofa waiting. "Good thing you all showered. And I am brushing your hair." The boys groan and all of them come and collect their clothes. Marie skips happily.
I get my own clothes on and come back, all them dressed and hair done. But I have to do Marie's. I put her hair in a braid with some yellow flowers. My own hair is in a pony tail. Before I go I go into Amanda's bedroom. Jason walks out giving us privacy. I kneel next to her bed. "I'll be right back. Please get better." I whisper. I give her a kiss on the forehead and leave. "Okay fake kids, let's go." All of them look good and clean. I pick up Marie and we file out.

(28 Lokkel Row.)

I walk into the small charming, old restaurant. It has a breakfast smell and a few people in it. They look at me and resume their early morning breakfast. A woman in a black apron comes up to me.
"Ello' love, how can I elp' you?" Her accent is strong. She is average height and brown eyes and hair.
"I would like to speak to the manager about a job." She looks at me shocked.
"Your eye shadow is to die for." She says. I smile. "Are they yours?" She asks insinuating the children.
"Yes, they are." I say with a smile. "My oldest is at a sleep over. My next oldest is Jacks," I put my hand on their head as I introduce them. "Max, Jessie and my little girl Marie."
  "Wow, twins in the five kids. How do you do it?"
  "I don't know." My accent is getting better.
  "Let me go get the manager and I'll bring the kids some orange juice." She says.
  "Thank you." I say with a smile. "Take a seat in this booth kids." I instruct them. They do as told but Marie stays on my hip.
  "Here you are. And the manager will talk to you in that booth. I'll look over your little ones." She offers."
  "Thank you. What was your name?" She asks.
  "Brie. Brie Daniels. And you?"
  "Chelsea Riddles." She shakes my hand.
  "Well, Chelsea Riddles, I thank you." I say as I walk over to the booth Chelsea pointed to. A man sits in the booth. I sit across from him. He has a brown beard and brown scraggly hair. But his blue eyes have a story behind them. "Hello mate. I'm Brie Daniels." He shakes my hand.
  "Mark Haven." He says. "So, why do you want this job?"
  "Well, I have children and trying to get through collage. I need money. I am not going to sit here and tell you I love people and I want to be selfless in any way. I do love people and want to help the world, but you can't live without money in this country." I say.
  "I like you. And your honesty." He says. "You got it. Come in tomorrow. And bring the kids. It's good to have them around during work." I smile and can't help but feel good.
  "Thank you so much sir. But I must run. My boy is at home and," I get cut off by a boy that's dirty and muddy.
  "Are you Jason's mum?"
  "Yes, whom are you?" I ask the boy.
  "He wants me to tell you Amanda has a temp of 100.3 and she has passed out."
  "What! I have to go." I grab my stuff. "I'm sorry, my partner..." I explain to Mark. I run over to the table and pick up Marie. "We have to run. We need to get Amanda to the hospital." The kids hop up. "Thank you Chelsea!" We all run and stop a cab.
  We pile in and drive to Amanda. I hand Jacks the money. "Pay the cabby! Then come in!" I yell. I run inside the kids with me. I get in and Jason looks at me frighten. "Call an ambulance!" I run over to het and lift her in my arms. Damn it!