Edna Johnson is a young mother who's had to learn survival the hard way. Abandoned by her parents and betrayed by the man she once loved, she's determined to give her child the love and stability she never had-even if it means standing alone.
Alex L...
EDNA'S POV Beep! Beep! Beep! The alarm clock pierced into my dreamless sleep. I resisted the urge to knock it off the dresser beside me. Five more minutes. Beep! Beep! Beep! Honestly, the blasted object was after my life. It was like it read my thoughts. Another terrible day in my already equally terrible life. I groaned as I pressed the button to turn off the demon-spawn. Then came the inward struggle to get out of bed. I had better get ready before I get late for work, and I also have to drop Peter at Mrs. Trent's anyway. It wasn't like the job paid enough to cover rent and take care of me and my son, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.
I ran a quick shower and woke Peter up to have his bath. It took a little extra coaxing to get him out of bed and into the bath. "What do you want for dinner tonight, sweetie?" I asked as I dressed him. He wasn't exactly a morning person, and he looked like he was about to doze off. "Pizza," came his sleepy reply, "and ice cream." An afterthought. Then he gave me a toothy grin which melted my heart instantly. He had a sweet tooth and was always trying to get me to give him candy and ice cream. "Nice try. We can have pizza tonight," I said in what Mrs. Trent called my 'mom voice'. He pouted at first, then his eyes lit up with mischief. "Peter!" I said, giggling as he splashed bathwater on my face. Thankfully, I was still in my bathrobe. I would have dreaded having to change into new work clothes.
I got him ready for breakfast, and while he was at the table, I put on my work clothes. I made myself a sandwich for lunch and downed a bottle of iced coffee. I don't usually have much of an appetite in the morning. "Peter, let's go now," I yelled from the front door. He ran down to meet me.
Mrs. Trent was a middle-aged African-American woman whose only daughter was in another city for college, so she had time on her hands most of the day. It was also great that they both loved each other's company very much. I gave her Peter's lunch when she opened the door to her townhouse and thanked her. "Edna, you act as if this is a chore for me," she said, rolling her eyes at me dramatically. "I just don't like taking advantage of you, and you won't let me pay either," I answered. "You are not a bother, sweetheart, trust me," she said, patting my cheek reassuringly. "Ever since my daughter moved out, hanging out with Peter is what I always look forward to." "Thank you so much. I really can't thank you enough," I said as she smiled. "Bye-bye, Mommy. I love you," Peter said as I kissed him on the head. "Bye, sweetie. I love you too. Be good, okay?" He nodded, and Mrs. Trent led him inside before I turned to leave.
⸻
I looked at my watch as I entered the store where I work. I let out a sigh when I realized that I wasn't late for work. I honestly couldn't afford to lose this job since my former boss made absolutely sure that I wouldn't get a job with my diploma.
I loved Peter very much — he was my happiness — but the events surrounding his birth really put my life off track. I went from being someone everyone loved to someone who was nondescript. Things were hard for me, and I didn't know where to turn for help. I couldn't put the burden on my mom — it wasn't hers to bear. I definitely wasn't going to ask for help from Peter's father either. It wasn't like he knew about him, and I'd love very much to keep it that way. I did not want him in Peter's life — he would just ruin it like he ruins every other thing that comes his way.
⸻
After my lunch break, I took my spot at the customer care section in the store when I heard a familiar voice addressing my boss, and they headed to his office. I was still trying to place a name to the voice when my coworker came to get me. "Edna, the boss needs you," she said absentmindedly. I couldn't help the panic that started to rise in my chest at those words. "Do you know why?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer she would give me. She shrugged, not bothering to look at me. Why did he want to see me? I checked the time when I got in today, and I wasn't late. Did a customer complain about me?
The intercom came on again, and my coworker answered. "Edna?" she said impatiently. I got up from my desk and walked to the office. Here goes.
I knocked on the door and opened it. The person I saw sitting made me stop dead in my tracks.
Oh hell no.
⸻
Thank you so much for helping us keep our dream alive. ❤️
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
