Purple Recovery

Chapter 38: Choice of Life

*~Taylor's POV ~*

Five o'clock and no one was back. Layla was in her room playing with her dolls as I made myself a warm tea. I kept looking at the clock. Even checked my phone every minute. No calls, no messages.

It'd been five weeks. All I want is for James to come home. I hate seeing him in jail. Today is his last trial. I'm scared he might be sent to the state prison.

Amanda, who was already in prison, had pressed charges on James. James was arrested and booked in jail. His dad has been doing whatever he to save his son. Today a jury of 12 will decide if he goes to prison. That trail had started two hours ago and I have yet to hear anything.

They didn't want me to go. They didn't want me to worry or get stressed out. Too bad I already was. But instead they made me stay in the apartment and take cate of the kids.

Thomas and Layla had been painting. Layla splattered paint at Thomas and the war began. I made they clean up and then told Layla to shower. Now she's waiting for Thomas to finish so they can watch a movie.

"When is my mom coming home?" Layla walked into the kitchen.

"I'm not sure, why?"

She shrugged. "Can I have some ice-cream?"

"Do you think you can wait for Thomas, so he can have some."

"Yeah, he's already done anyways. I heard him turn the water off." She said taking a seat on the chair. I got up getting the ice-cream out of the fridge. "Is James coming home today?"

"I hope so." I looked at her. She looked so much like James. I was sad just seeing her sit there.

"I'm done." Thomas said walking into the kitchen and taking a seat next to Layla. "The red paint took forever to come off. I kept scrubbing and it didn't want to leave my skin."

"It didn't want to get off me either!" Layla said. "Taylor is going to give us ice-cream."

"Okay, guys only a little bit. Jenna said Layla couldn't have much sugar so there's a limit." I said getting some bowls.

"But my mom won't know if you give us a lot of ice-cream. Plus I'll be good, I promise."

"Nice try." I told her. "There is gummy bears, chocolate chips, nuts, and Oreos for toppings. You guys are allowed to pick two."

"I want chocolate chip and nuts!" Layla said excitedly.

"How about you, Thomas?" I asked him.

He looked at the toppings that were laid out on the counter. "Chocolate chips and... gummies." He said.

"Alright." I quickly served their ice-cream putting the toppings on. I was glad they were a distraction from everything that had happened this month. They were good kids, always active. And Thomas was always with me. I think he spent more time with me, than his own Aunt Ruthy.

"Here you go." I put the bowls in front of them. I have them each a spoon and then sat down.

"You're not getting any?" Layla asked.

"No, I'm not in the mood for ice-cream. Maybe next time."

I say there watching them eat. I was so surprised Layla and Thomas got along so well. Thomas was five years older then her. I didn't think a kid his age would want to hang out with a girl half his age. It was strange. He didn't seem to care. Maybe he just wanted a friend. Any friend.

"Mom can I have-" Thomas caught himself, halfway through his question. "Sorry, I didn't mean to call you that." He looked down.

Layla looked at me and then him. "Don't be sad." She said.