Established [UNOFFICIAL BOOK]

Chapter 2

Established: Chapter 2

~Arlie P.O.V.~

I'm not gonna lie, yeah I've had a difficult relationship with my Mom in the past but it's always nice to see her from time to time. I wish all four of us kids, Elizabeth, Aldo, Gabriel and myself would come together just for one of her birthdays but we've all drifted apart... except for Elizabeth and I because I willingly pushed her far away from me. 

Driving back into Oakland with the sun setting fast behind me, I couldn't wait to get to Amber's place to pick up Joel for the next few days. I thought as Joel got older it would harder for me to keep up but he's too laid back to get all that far ahead of me. Unless he's with his partner in crime, LJ. For whatever reason, LJ brings out the wild side of Joel and the two get into trouble  but when Joel is on his own or with other kids, he's just his regular self and it's funny. 

Pulling up to Amber's apartment complex, I only saw her car parked outside, not her boyfriend's or fiance's, whatever the fuck he is. I don't care too much to know specifics of what she's doing in her life as she loves to try to get the scoop on what goes on in mine. Even though it's the same shit just a different day and not as many attempts from Tilly Beans but there are days where I question how far she'll go. 

I knocked on the door like every other time and heard Joel come racing down the hall all the way to door to open it. 

"Aye kid, what's good?" I asked reaching down to give him a hug. "Your Mom around?" 

"Hey Dad and yeah, she was in her room." Joel was already pretty tall for an eight year old, sure as hell taller than when Varo was eight and I laugh at the memories of Varo having to stand on ever trash can or curb just to be able to see over fences or stand about as tall as everyone else in the group. 

"You got your things for the next few days? I don't wanna have to end up driving all the way back here because you forgot something so get your things and make sure you got everything." I said to him and he nodded his head in understanding before turning back around to go to his room. I closed the front door behind me and leaned up against the wall right next to the door frame with my hands in my pockets, fiddling around with my keys. 

"Long time no see." Amber said as she came down the hall in her black shorts and solid blue T-shirt. "How've you been?" 

"Been a while but I'm alright, just doin' what I do best." Avoiding an untimely fate from Tilly Beans being one of what I do best. "What about yourself?" 

"That's good to hear and I've been better. It's back to the single life after lies and empty promises." I could be so incredibly petty right now with my response but do I really wanna risk starting a fight? I kinda think it would be worth it but I'll be grown and not start something. 

"That's a shame but if he wasn't doin' you right, kick him out and do you." 

"What about you and Heather?" The question you ache to ask and yearn to get the answer. "I would hope things were okay between you two." 

"Things are just fine with her." She kept a straight face but I already knew that wasn't the answer she was hoping to hear. Her now faded red lips parting to say something else but she was interrupted when Joel came from him room with his back pack on his shoulders. "You got everything?" 

"Yes I do, Dad." He said looking from me to his Mom. "Goodnight Mom, I love you and I'll see you in a couple days like always." He continued to say as he gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek. "Let's go, I still haven't had dinner." He said brushing by me and on his way out the door. 

"We leave it at this, have a goodnight and I'll bring him back soon." Giving her a quick hug, I wasted not another second in her place, just let me get home so I can do as I please with my son. "How was it with Mom?" I asked him as he waited for the butterfly door to go up to my car.