Another Disappointment

chapter sixteen*

"Rise and shine ladies!" I said turning on the light to Ryann's room.

"Mhmmm," Mariah whined waking up and climbing out the bed. Ryann groaned throwing the cover over her head.

"Y'all got twenty minutes and breakfast will be served." I said walking out the room to go finish cooking breakfast.

In the middle of finishing breakfast the from door opened. I lifted my eyes up seeing Tabitha walking into the front door.

"Good morning," I smiled turning the stove off.

"Good morning," She mumbled dragging herself out of her room. Clearly, she wasn't in the mood to talk which I understood why.

"Is Ryann always this slow?" Mariah asked taking a seat at the table where her orange juice and breakfast was waiting for her.

"Yeah," I confessed laughing.

"I would get in trouble if I was late in the morning my dad don't play that," Mariah went on I smiled at the thought of Leo.

Minutes later Ryann finally came out fully dressed and ready for school and Mariah was washing her dish she had just used.

"You don't have time to eat grab a apple or something" I said receiving a loud huff. I looked back at her, she looked up at me noticing the face and straightened herself up.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"Don't let it happen again." Mariah looked back and forth almost as if she was afraid what was about to happen next.

"Yes ma'am."

"Let's go," I said grabbing my keys and purse with the two girls following behind me.

•••

"Don't forget you're riding the bus with Ryann," I told Mariah.

"Okay."

"Alright bye love you guys." They gathered their bookbags and climbed out the backseat.

"Love you too," Ryann said leaning over in the passenger seat to place a kiss on my cheek. I smiled waving at Mariah when my phone rung. It was Leo FaceTiming me. I could tell by the sound of the ringtone.

"Hey babe," I answered driving off to work.

"Hey," He yawned clearly just waking up. "How was the girls this morning?" He questioned.

"Mariah was fine but Ryann gave me some attitude like she always do in the morning." I said stopping at a red light to look at him. He looked surprised to hear that about Ryann.

I laugh driving off with my eyes on the road, "Baby, it's a lot you haven't seen from that girl."

"Hopefully, we can keep it that way," He laughed rubbing his face. "because I can't see my baby girl acting up like that." My skin crawled at the nickname baby girl. I knew Leo didn't mean any harm but that was Thomas nickname for me.

"Rylee!"

"Hmmm?" I asked parking my car.