Olivia

Chapter 1

Rolling over on my side of the bed, detangling my body from my husband's, I pull the covers up over my naked body. Phillip kisses my neck and pulls me back into his arms. Both of us are drifting off to sleep after making love. I shuffle, attempting to find a more comfortable position.

Phillip's phone rings, distracting both of us from our state of sleepiness. He rolls away from me to answer his phone.

"Hello?" he says with his sleep riddled voice.

"What? When? Why?"

I get a little alarmed by the tone of Phillip's voice. I turn facing him, waiting to interrogate him when he gets off the phone.

"Debbie, I'm very sorry."

"I understand."

"Uhh...uhm, let me call you back first thing in the morning."

"Yes, yes. I'll see what I can do."

"I love you, too. Bye."

I am propped up on my elbows as he ends the call.

"What was that about?"

Phillip scratches his head.

"My sister...her daughter...she wants to know if her daughter can stay with me for a little while."

I sit up in bed, not feeling very thrilled about it. 

"For how long? Why, and when?"

"It seems like she got in some trouble with the law. My sister thinks having a new environment may help her straighten up."

I curl and uncurl my fingers. Phillip already knows I am not ok with this. Phillip takes my hands in his.

"I know this isn't what you want, baby, but can you do this for me? I will make sure she gets situated quickly."

I hang my head, not looking at Phillip. He tugs on my hands.

"Please, Simone? I promise it won't be for long. I just don't want to turn her down. Not for her, but for my sister."

"Who will look after her, Phillip? We both work. It's kinda inconvenient, don't you think?" Completely forgetting he just mentioned trouble with the law, which can only mean she isn't a kid.

Phillip starts to laugh, and I look at him as if he is crazy.

"Well, she isn't exactly a kid. She is twenty-three years old."

"What?" I feel so puzzled, "how the hell is that possible? You're twenty-eight, and your niece is twenty-three?"

"My sister is ten years older than I am, plus, she had Olivia at the tender age of fifteen. Anyways, is it ok?"

"Oh, Phillip, I'm really not feeling this, but what can I do? What can we do?"

A huge smile spreads across Phillip's face.

"Thank you, baby. Thank you for understanding."

I roll my eyes at him, "make sure you keep your words. Find her a job quickly!"

I flop down back on the bed. 

"I will."

These are the last two words I hear from him. I'm not happy to have her here. We have talked about this very issue. I rather it just be Phillip and I. It's just the way I prefer things. Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe, with help from Phillip, she will get a job quicker than I think. I will do this for my husband.