“Mommy!” Taylor shouted running up to her mother throwing her arms around her. I smiled as I watched them.
“Taylor Cook what were you thinking!?” she yelled. “You scared me half to death!” she added. Her son jumped out the back seat of the car, he stared at me for a moment before hiding behind his mom.
“I’m sorry, I was mad, I promise, I’ll never do it again,” she said as she started to cry. I watched Michelle hug her daughter, remaining by the deck. I didn’t want to interfere with they’re bond. Hailie watched also, she seamed a bit sad. She never really had that bond with her mom, that bond was with me. Even though we didn’t see each other and much as I’d like.
“You better not, and you’re still grounded, because you scared your mother half to death,” she scolded. Her son held out his arms to her, she picked him up and he buried his face in her long blonde hair.
I watched Michelle as she stared walking towards me; she was beautiful, long blonde hair, blue eyes, perfectly tanned skin. I couldn’t help but stare. “Mom,” Taylor’s talking made me snap out of my trance. “This is the man that found me, his name is Marshall,” she said with a smile while looking at me, I smiled back. “And this is his daughter Hailie, she’s the same age as me!” she smiled.
Michelle stared at me for a moment. “Thank you so much for taking care of my little girl,” she said holding out her hand and, I shook it.
“No problem,” I said with a smile.
~~~Michelle’s pov~~~
This man, Marshall, was wonderful. He saved my daughters life from wherever she was. “Here, take this in thanks,” I said pulling out 100 dollars from my check I cashed today. “I’d give you more, but that’s all I have,” I said looking sad.
“I can’t accept that,” he said shaking his head.
“Please, it’s the least I can do,” I told him. He shook his head.
“I don’t need that, I got money I don’t know what to do with,” he told me.
“Then how am I supposed to repay you for what you’ve done?” I asked as the children ran into the house.
“Hailie!” Marshall called after his daughter holding out his right arm as if it’s supposed to stop her.
“No, its ok,” I said kindly pushing down his arm. He just stared at my hand.
“Oh,” he muttered. “And about that repaying you…how bout you let me take you on a date?” he asked me with a smile, he seemed to be trying to be seductive or something.
“I…I don’t, I don’t know about that,” I stuttered. I don’t think I’m ready for dating. After James left I wasn’t able to trust another man.
“Oh come on, why not?” Marshall asked. I stared at him for a moment.
“I don’t think that would be appropriate,” I told him, which didn’t really make sense. Marshall sighed. He seemed disappointed.
“I understand,” he said softly. I felt bad but he didn’t seem right to me, there was something about him that scared me. “Hailie, time to go!” he shouted in the house. Hailie came running to her father.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. Marshall just shook his head. And pointed for her to get in his car, he had a black Mustang, it was nice. I wish I had a new car like that.
“I’m sorry, Marshall,” I said softly.
“It’s ok, here, take my number if you need anything,” he said kindly handing me a piece of paper. I stared at the paper for a moment. Why was he giving me his number, was it because of where I lived? Was he hinting me to call him about that date? He hopped in his car waving me off…
~~~Marshall’s pov~~
“Daddy are you ok?” Hailie asked me as we left the trailer park.
“I’m fine,” I lied. I was upset, and shocked. Who turns me down? Not that I’m full of myself but I’ve never had a girl say no to me, they usually throw themselves at me.
“Are you sure?” she asked looking over at me.
“I’m fine ok,” I snapped. She quickly turned away and looked out the window. I felt bad instantly.
“Hailie, I’m sorry,” I said kindly.
“You yelled at me,” she said as if she was about to cry.
“I’m sorry baby, it’s just that I’m a bit disappointed,” I said being honest.
“Why?” she asked turning back to me.
“Cause… Hailie, I can’t talk to you about this, you’re just too young,” I told her. She stared at me.
“You like Taylor’s mom don’t you?” she asked. I stared at her. How could she possibly know something like this? She’s only eight going on nine.
“Why would you say that?” I asked.
“Cause you were staring at her and being all weird,” Hailie giggled. I shook my head with a slight smile. Her smile and giggle always made me feel better no matter what the situation was.
“She’s not interested,” I mumbled, it wasn’t meant for her to hear.
“She will be,” Hailie smiled. I stared at her for a second wondering what she was thinking.
~~~Michelle’s pov~~~
I felt bad for not letting Marshall take me out for dinner, but I didn’t want it to turn into something, I didn’t want it to end up in a relationship. I was used to being single, and I was comfortable that way.
I got a text about ten minutes after Marshall left. “I’m sorry, maybe asking you on a date was… uh not right? You are beautiful though, and I would like to get to know you. Maybe then, things will change - Marshall,” the text read. I didn’t know what to put as a reply. Its not that I thought Marshall was a bad person, its just that I was scared…of all men.
“It’s ok. You don’t have to be sorry. Its not that you’re not attractive it’s just that I don’t want a relationship now,” I texted back. Then realized what I said. I pretty much said that he was attractive. Well he was, but I didn’t like him. He’d be a good friend, that’s all.
“Did you just say I was attractive?” he texted back. I can picture him smiling right now. Oh, great now he thinks I like him. Ugh, men, you say that they are not ugly then they assume that you like them. Guys are so stupid!
“Well you’re not ugly,” I texted back.
“Oh really?” he texted.
“Really, now I gotta go find lunch for the kids,” I texted. I set my phone down and not even a minute later I get a text.
“Ok, have fun with that,” he texted. I didn’t text back, that would just make more convo and less time for lunch.
~~~
A few days had pass and I’ve been texting Marshall a bit. He keeps offering to buy us food and pay some of the bills. But I cannot allow him to do that. I didn’t like getting help from people, I was the type of person to do everything myself.
As I was shopping, with my stupid EBT card, that I hated using. Anyway, I was walking down the aisles and I heard a familiar voice. I turned the corner and glanced down the other aisle. There stood Marshall with two children. I had my kids with me too, but they were off somewhere in the store, I sent them to get some drinks.
I watched Marshall for a moment and left before he could see me.
~~~Taylor’s pov~~~
I was trying to find my mom. It was hard cause Jayme was slow and kept watching this kid in a wheelchair struggle to get something off a shelf. “Jayme stop staring!” I yelled in a hushed voice.
“I think he needs help,” Jayme said. I let out a sigh.
“Hold this,” I mumbled annoyed. I better help him or Jayme will try and then make a fool of himself.
When I finished helping the kid I went back over to Jayme who was staring down an aisle at this guy and his kids. They looked familiar, I stared trying to figure out who they were when they turned and face me…
