Everything Has Changed: Book Four

Chapter Eight: Phone Call

Chapter Eight: Phone Call

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Danny asks.

"Yes. Just go there and walk her to the door. Tell her teacher you're on the list, she'll check your name if she's skeptical."

"What door is it?" Danny asks.

"Emily knows what door it is."

He sighs.

"Alright. Love you." He leans down and kisses my lips.

"Love you too." I hand Emily her lunch box and kiss her forehead. "Have a good day at school sweetie. I love you."

"I love you too Momma." She grins at me.

Danny kisses me again, and then he goes down to the basement with Emily. I hear the engine to my Jeep start and the garage door opening, and then silence.

Ethan is still fast asleep in his bed upstairs. I woke up with the alarm and told Danny that I wasn't going with him to take Emily to school.

Now that he's home, I can stay home or vice versa and Ethan can sleep in.

I sit at the kitchen table with a cup of black coffee in a white tank top and pink, white, and grey pajama pants. My blonde hair is thrown into a messy bun.

I unlock my phone and go back into my notes, looking at my message to send to my Dad.

Marie seems really sweet but Lauren is rude, which is why I left. I don't know what her childhood was like but for her to bring up what Mom did to me in front of my kids? Wtf. That's not okay at ALL and on top of that, her accusing me of abusing me kids? And accusing Danny of abusing me?! Who does she think she is? Anyways, that's why I left. I'm sorry yesterday didn't go as planned. I'll give you some money for the shelter and the pizza.

I copy the message and paste it in the text with my Dad.

Right before I hit the send button, the doorbell rings.

I cuss quietly and push away from the table.

I need to get rid of that doorbell. I hate it when people ring it and wake up my kids.

Sighing, I lock my phone and cross the house quickly, unlocking the door before whoever it is can ring again.

I'm surprised to see Marie there.

"I'm sorry it's so early. Your Dad said you would be up because Emily has school. Am I interrupting?" She asks gently.

I clear my throat.

"No, uh, you're fine. Come in."

I step aside to let her into the house. She walks in and I close the door. She has a plate in her hands that's wrapped in aluminum foil.

"These are for you and Danny...and the kids." She hands the plate to me.

"Thank you. Do you want some coffee?" I ask, taking the plate from her hands. I don't really want to discuss her disrespectful daughter, but my Dad seems really happy with her, so I'll do it anyways.

She hesitates.

"Sure, coffee would be nice."

I walk to the kitchen and she follows me, setting the plate on the counter.

"Your house is beautiful. I can't believe you designed it."

"Thank you." I say, pouring her some coffee in a mug. "Uh...we have french vanilla creamer...sugar...milk." I pause. "Make yourself at home."