The Choice

Chapter 7

"You mean he almost kissed you?" Paige shrieks into the phone as I'm waiting in the line to pick up Chloe and Leon from school. 

"Almost, but he pulled away at the last minute. Probably because of Lucy."

"But he definitely wanted to," Paige says, and I can just see the smile on her face. 

I see Chloe and Leon run over to my car, and they open the door and get inside. 

"I'll call you later. The kids just got in the car," I tell Paige, not wanting them to overhear our conversation. 

We say our goodbyes, and I tell the kids to buckle up before pulling out and heading home.

__

"Mom, wake up," I feel someone shaking me the next morning. 

I hear the faint sound of my alarm, and I groan. 

"What time is it?" I ask Leon.

"The clock says 8:25," Leon says. 

"Oh fu-fudge," I say, correcting myself mid sentence. 

I slowly sit up. My body is aching everywhere, and my throat is killing me. I feel my forehead, and I definitely think I have a fever.

"Go wake your sister up, and you both get ready."

Leon nods his head and runs off to wake his sister. I unlock my phone, and I dial Ricky's number. 

"Hey Jo," Ricky answers.

"I'm sick, and I overslept. Can you come take the kids to school? My body feels like it was hit by a semi," I groan. 

"I'm already at school. Is it ok if I ask Clay?" Ricky asks.

"That's fine," I croak. 

"You sound pitiful," Ricky says, and I can here a mocking tone in his voice. 

"I am pitiful. Now call Clay," I croak, hanging up with a small smile.

"Mommy, are we late for school?" Chloe bounces in my bedroom.

"Yes. Mommy didn't wake up to her alarm. I think uncle Clay is coming to take you both to school," I rub her cheek.

"Are you going to be ok mommy?" Chloe asks.

"Of course. I'm just a little sick. You'll probably be staying with your dad tonight," I smile.

"Yay!" Leon comes bouncing in. 

The doorbell rings, and Leon looks excited. 

"Uncle Clay is here!" he shouts, and Chloe follows him to answer the door. 

I sit up, throwing my hair in a bun. I slowly stand up, and Chloe comes running back in my room. 

"Mommy, that weird guy is here," she says, hiding behind my legs. 

I give her a questioning look, and I pick her up. I slowly walk out to the living room, and I see Leon, talking Ezra's head off. Ezra's smiling at him, listening to every word he's babbling.

"Hi. I was expecting Clay," I say, my voice raspy. 

"Ricky couldn't get ahold of Clay, so he called me," Ezra explains, rubbing the back of his neck.  

"Thanks for coming," I say, feeling a little awkward.

"You sound horrible," Ezra says, his voice laced with concern. 

"I'm alright. Ok you two, have fun at school. I'd give you hugs and kisses, but I don't want either of you getting sick," I say.

"Bye mommy!" Leon says, scrambling out the door.