What Happens When the Lights Go Out

4.What Happens When You Grow Up

4

I should probably mention something I've been avoiding. My stepmother and her son. Well, what happened was we did force her to find Joshua. She did. Joshua was in jail for assault. We don't really like to talk about it often because it upset her so much. She gave up her baby and he turned out bad, that's not something you really want to talk about.

She has been nicer to me but things have been rocky with her and my dad for a long time. Things have not gotten better between them. I called him once everyone left the house the other day and told him the news. He was very happy for me but there was tiredness in his voice. He seemed really sad.

I sighed. I need to go shopping today though and afterwards maybe I can pay him a visit.

I called Jen and asked her to go with me. She agreed. I'm now really showing so I sometimes need some help. I slipped on a blue spaghetti strap dress that goes perfectly over my baby bump. (or babies)

She agreed and I went and picked her up. "Okay so we're going to the hardware store first because Ashton broke a shelf the other day and we need some nails."

"Alright."

"I also need some paint."

"For what?"

"We have to change the office into a room for Tasmine. We're going to rearrange everything to make an office in the master bedroom or the front room."

"Oh that's a good idea."

"Thank you."

We got to the hardware store and got everything we needed. On our way to the cash register there was a big crowd blocking the way.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked.

Someone turned around. "Two guys are fighting over a lawn mower. It's the last one in stock."

"Why the crowd?"

"It's gotten interesting then things just kind of got backed up."

"That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. It's just a lawn mower."

"No, it's not just a lawn mower. It's a lawn mower that you don't need to manually use. It mows by itself."

"Wow, fancy."

"I know right."

"This is still stupid."

I tried pushing through the crowd to no avail. Fine. Time for plan B. I've been wanting to try this for a while.

"Hey! I am a five month pregnant woman who got four hours of sleep because of two kicking babies and drank a gallon of tea over an hour ago. Get the fuck out of my way before I go pregnant woman on all of your asses!"

The crowd parted like the red sea. I smiled and pushed the cart right on through. Jen tentatively followed me. I think she was embarrassed. What do I care? I'll never see half of them again. I rarely go into hardware stores.

I checked out all my stuff and we went on our way.

"You are quite content with yourself aren't you?" Jen said.

"I've been waiting to do that forever."

"With great power comes great responsibility."

"Duly noted."

"You are a piece of work Brooke."

"I know it. Think of what Ashton has to deal with every day. I'm mean, I'm difficult enough as it is, but can you imagine pregnant me?"