Fiction.

Chapter 4: The Best of You.

Chapter 4: The Best of You.

Saturday, one of the two days, I don’t work. I don’t work Saturdays and Fridays. But last night I spent most of it hanging out with my friends, running around like a normal teenager. Today I’m doing it all over again, except I’m not going to be staying out until three or four am. I’ll be home by ten because I need to be at work for nine tomorrow.

I lay in my bed; I could tell it was early in the morning. Just by the way the sun shone into my room dimly. My clock said ‘8:45am’. I groaned loudly and buried my face into my pillow. My body sank into the bed needing more sleep. It must be early because I wasn’t even able to hear my dad in the living room watching the Saturday morning news, but I did hear my mom on the phone in the kitchen and by the smell of it, she was also making breakfast.

I propped my head out from under the pillow, my eyes barely open, it was hard to keep them open with only four hours of sleep. I could feel my hair was all over the place even without touching it. I lay in my bed in my board shorts and Iron Maiden tee shirt. My shoes were still on as well. How I’m able to sleep like this is a mystery to my parents, they have to be in PJs in order to sleep properly. I really don’t care what I sleep in, as long as I sleep.

I sighed heavily and rolled from the bed, my feet landed on the floors with a loud ‘thump’. I wasn’t able to keep my eyes open without effort. I staggered around my messy room to find the door. I wandered down the halls blindly to find my mom in the kitchen making something to eat. She was on the phone to my friend Brian’s mom, they were gossiping like two school girls. I stopped and waited in the hall, leaning against the wall. I could hear her talking to Brian’s mom.

“You should really lock Brian up so he’s safe from that little hussy. Apparently she got to Matt and we all know she got to Jimmy.” My mom said softly. I knew she was talking about Rosie. She got to Matt? What did she mean by that? Like did they date or something?

“I’m scared she’ll get to the boys, I can’t even imagine what Brian and Zack would do if she gets to them.” She added with a soft voice.

I sighed and walked into the kitchen with a frown. She smiled and waved at me sweetly, changing the topic instantly. I shook my head and sat down at the kitchen table tiredly.

She hung up the phone and set a plate of food down in front of me along with a boiling hot mug of coffee to wake me up. I smiled wearily at her and watched as she sat down beside me. I have a feeling the subject of Rosie and the baby will be brought up. And I was right.

“So, did you decide on what you two are going to do yet?” My mom asked sullenly. I sighed heavily as I swallowed the hot coffee; it burned my throat as it went down. I tried to ignore her but she’s my mom, I can’t ignore her. So I waited a moment and stared at the plate of waffles with bacon and eggs. My gaze wandered up to hers, she gave me her eyes while my dad gave me his height and face. I’m glad I got my mom’s eyes, she has nice eyes. If I ever have a daughter I pray she looks just like my mom.

“I don’t know yet but if she doesn’t want the baby then I’ll raise it by myself.” I announced the biggest decision of my life. My voice was raspy and tired but it was deepened. I think I’m doing the right thing. The amount of shock on my mom’s face was impressive. She was shocked and proud and all these other emotions. She shook them away and gave me a straight expression.

“What do you mean if Rosie doesn’t want the baby, it’s either she does and you both raise it or she doesn’t and it goes up for adoption.” My mom thought it was that simple but to me it isn’t. I shook my head quickly.

“I don’t care if she doesn’t want the baby, I do so I’m willing to be a single dad and raise him or her alone.” I added with a proud tone. My mom smiled widely and patted the back of my hand.

“You’re willing to be a single dad even though it means throwing everything away.” She said something that wasn’t true. I wasn’t throwing everything away. I sighed heavily and sipped the hot drink again, it didn’t burn so much going down.

“I’m not throwing everything away, I get it kids are a handful but I’ll do my best. I’m already making an income and I won’t need to give up music because I’ll teach him or her to play. I’ll make him or her into a mini me. Apart from this part.” I staggered over my words with a calm voice. She was gazing at me with wide eyes. I sighed heavily and looked down at the plate of the cooling food.

“I don’t want to back out of my responsibilities. If I’m adult enough to make that kid then I’m adult enough to raise it, even if it’s alone.” I added softly. I could actually see me raising this kid by myself. It’s scary to think but it’s the truth.

“Won’t Rosie help you?” She asked. I shrugged and frowned slightly. My gaze moved up to her, my eyes were able to stay open now that I’ve had some coffee.

“Like you said, she’s not the mothering type so I can actually see me raising this baby alone.” I replied softly. My mom nodded carefully and sighed. It was quiet for a long time. I never wanted this to happen, not yet but it’s happened. I believe everything happens for a reason. I just need to find the reason behind this.

“James, there isn’t a lot of time to be going on a feeling or a hope that it’s all sparkles and happy times like the TV plays it out to be. It’s hard work. And it’s harder when you’re doing it alone.” She said with a tender mothering voice. I sat there and listened to what she had to say, I wasn’t going to ignore what my mom had to say. But I didn’t want to hear it. I looked at her through the corner of my eye. I didn’t like what she was saying.

“There are single parents all over the world, they can do it. Why can’t I?” I muttered harshly. I didn’t intent for the attitude but it just happened. I bit my lip hard.

“Jimmy, its tough being a single parent. You can’t do it alone” She said.

“Regardless it’s my decision. If Rosie doesn’t want the baby I’m raising it, period, end of. I’m just trying to give that baby a good life.” I snapped at her with a small voice. I crossed my arms over my chest. I felt my mom’s hand touch my shoulder lightly. She was gazing at me with a sympathetic expression.

“Sweet heart, I know you’re trying to give it a good life but maybe an older more stable couple could raise it.” She was literally suggesting adoption? I wasn’t going to give my baby up. No way. There is no chance in hell I’m giving my child to some stranger. I frowned sadly and looked at the table.

“You don’t want to get rid of the baby because it’ll remind you of Rosie.” My mom spoke a little bit of the ugly truth. I hated that but it’s true. I wanted to keep the baby for that reason but that’s not the only or main reason.

“Sounds like somebody’s getting the best of you babe,” Mom added. I wanted to protest but I didn’t want to argue with my mom any further so I sat at the kitchen table and ate my breakfast before I went into the bathroom to comb and style my hair and brush my teeth. I’m lucky most kids my age have zits all over their faces but I only get a few every once and a while.

My hair was blonde and thick, it was sticking up out all over the place making me look like a crazy person. I had to put my glasses on so I could see. I ran the comb through my hair, taming the mane and styling it nicely. I brushed my teeth quickly and washed my face with a cool wet clothe that was covered in hand soap. I rinsed my face off and smiled a charming smirk at my reflection.

I was getting ready to go meet Matt at the park. We’re hanging out until Zack and Brian are done with their chores and Johnny might be coming out too. He’s the youngest out of all of us, he’s only nine but he’s cool.

I hope the guys could help me out with this. I really need my best friends right now. Wow, I’m sounding like a broken hearted teenage girl right now. But it’s true I just needed my friends to help me sort things out. Hopefully they can help.