Save Me

Chapter 3

The car was packed to the hilt and everyone was buckled in their seats as we waved goodbye to Ben and Elizabeth.    The girls were all happily chatting away.   For me, the further we got from Ben and Elizabeth's house, the more I felt the weight of the responsibility I had taken on.     I didn't want to screw this up.

The fact is, I'm a thirty-five year old, single, workaholic who's totally out of their element.    Taking care of three young girls who I loved very much was a lot.   Especially considering the only living things I've been responsible for, besides myself, for any extended period of time were the flower pots on my balcony.  

Needless to say, those poor flowers have had a bit of a rough life.  

Pushing the unease that keeps popping up in my head aside, I said one more silent prayer that things would go well then made myself let it go.  

I mean, it's only three days!

"How 'bout we put some Mars music on!"   I recommend to Kenzie who was in the passenger seat.  

"Yeahhhhh!"    All three happily shouted back.

The drive from Ann Arbor back to Chicago was the quickest three hour drive I've ever experienced.   Thirty Seconds to Mars was blaring from the speakers nearly the whole time and it was a beautiful, warm summer day.   The sun was shining and we were all singing our hearts out, most of the time.    Although Kenzie knew every word, the rest of us were still learning and we giggled when we'd make mistakes. 

"Don't worry, Auntie Vivie, you'll get it."

Each girl had their favorite band member except for me.    I was reserving judgement until I saw them live and solely on their musical talent, of course.   

Kenzie was a "Jared" girl through and through which was blatantly obvious based on the amount of information that poured from her mouth about him.   It was shocking what this kid knew! 

Apparently he's not just a singer he's also an actor, he hikes, rock climbs, travels, he's an environmental activist and a vegan.    The list she gave was very thorough and seemed endless.    The most important detail being that he was "totally hot with the biggest blue eyes you've ever seen". 

"Wow, Kenz, I think I'm gonna have to start calling you Google!"  

"I can't wait to meet him, Auntie Vivie!"  She beamed.

Smiling, I was so happy for her.    He was her first real teenage crush and I was able to get her a meet and greet with him.    This was more special that I even realized and I was so excited to be there with her.

"You're wrong Kenzie.   Shannon's the best."   Lily proclaimed, waving off her sister. 

Lily was a straight up "Shannon" girl.    For the next ten minutes, she rattled off all kinds of facts about him just like Kenzie did about Jared.    She told me about how much he loves coffee, rides motorcycles and that he plays all kinds of instruments.   It was another endless list of attributes.   

"Ya know what else, Auntie Vivie?"

"What?"   I asked, looking at her in the rear view mirror.

"He's fun sized too."   Lily said, nodding her head and smiling.  

"What the hell?"   I questioned as I looked over to a embarrassed looking Kenzie sitting next to me,   "Maybe she shouldn't have internet access." 

Kenzie giggled,   "I'm gonna tell Mom and Dad when I get home."

I almost asked exactly what she meant until I thought better of it.   It's probably best that I don't know what she thinks she's referring to because with this one it might not be so innocent.