Jackass Boss [COMPLETED]

Heartache

The kids were playing in the playground. Isabel and Finlay were with them. Tilly and Andrew sat on a nearby bench, talking and laughing. Jeez... they looked so in love. I was sitting alone, my thoughts drifting to Julissa. Am I enough for her? She's still a kid, and of course, she has a lot of desires and dreams.

I sighed heavily.

"Are you angry?" Jay appeared in front of me and sat down beside me.

"No... why would I be angry with you?" I replied softly.

"Then why do you look so sad?"

I stayed quiet for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"She rarely asks me for anything. Maybe she already knows I can't always give her what she wants. Last year, she asked me to buy that necklace... and I couldn't. Sometimes I feel like I fail her. I try, but I can't always give her the things she wants. I know she's still young, and I understand... but it still hurts. I feel like I'm failing as a mother."

Jay looked at me and asked gently, "If you asked her to choose between that necklace or you, what do you think she'd pick?"

I shrugged. "I guess... me?"

"Why?"

"I don't know. Instinct?"

He gave a faint smile. "Exactly. That's how it should be. Sure, she liked the necklace. But she loves you. You're not a failure. You're her hero."

His words brought a small smile to my lips. Maybe he's right. Maybe I've been overthinking it. I'm doing what I can, the best I can. I shouldn't be so hard on myself.

"Mom!" Julissa waved from the playground. "Come join us!"

"Later, baby," I called back with a smile.

But she didn't take no for an answer. She ran over and grabbed my hand. "Come on!"

Laughing, I let her drag me toward the others. Isabel and Finlay were great with the kids. When I joined in, Finlay decided to take a break, so it was me and Isabel playing with them. Just as I was settling in, my phone rang. I stepped away to answer it.

"Hello?" I said, but the connection was bad. "Hold on," I moved to the side and pressed the phone closer to my ear. "Can you hear me now?"

"Yes, ma'am. I need to order some cupcakes," a woman said from the other end.

"Okay. When do you need them? What are your details?" I asked, jotting notes mentally.

While she was talking, my eyes instinctively searched for Julissa—and froze.

She was chasing a ball. Into the road.

"NO, JU!!" I screamed, seeing a car speeding toward her.

In a flash, Jay leapt forward and shoved her out of the way—just in time.

I ran toward them, my heart nearly stopping. Julissa was cradled in Jay's arms.

"Oh God, Ju, are you okay?!" I dropped beside them and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry, Mommy," she sobbed, her tiny body trembling.

"It's okay, baby... you're okay now," I soothed, patting her back.

"Jay, you're bleeding!" Andrew's voice cut in.

I turned to see blood trickling down Jay's temple—he must've hit his head against the lamppost during the rescue.

"God, let's get him to the hospital," Isabel said, panicking.

I wanted to go with them, but Julissa was too shaken. I had no choice but to take her home with Tilly. The mood shifted instantly. The brightness of the day vanished into worry.