Hi, Mr. Styles

Four

"Mommy, why can't I go?"

It was Hope's fifth time asking but Erin remained patient, pausing while carefully winging her eyeliner in the bathroom mirror to explain it again.

"It's a date, mija. It's for grown-ups, no kids." Honestly, leaving Hope in the care of someone else was nerve-racking; it was only the second time she'd ever done so, but her neighbor's seventeen year old daughter Jackie was a trusted babysitter throughout the apartment complex. She was babysitting in Erin's home, which put her at ease. Slightly. At least she'd be somewhere familiar.

Hope slid her shower curtain closed, placing a plastic Minion-covered barrier between them and went back to her toys. She noisily splashed around in the bathtub, where she'd stay until Erin ushered her out or her skin turned 'pruny', whichever came first. Erin put the final touches on her makeup as Hope piped up again and came out of hiding. Her dark brown curls were matted to her forehead. "Where are you going?"

"I don't know yet," Erin said truthfully. They hadn't made any solid plans, just knew there'd be dinner and dancing at some point. That was okay with her. She was just happy to get out of the house on a Saturday night like a normal person.

Life was a cycle of work and sleep and she was well overdue for a good time. She'd even bought a new outfit. The jeans made her ass look amazing, she could admit, and she wondered if he was the kind of man who appreciated a nice rear end. And a little of everything else, since she had plenty to offer all around.

"I'm gonna miss you," Hope whimpered, and Erin realized tonight might be difficult for her. She'd only seen Jackie in passing, had never really spoken to the girl. Hope's sensitive eyes clouded and Erin considered taking a rain check. How could she leave her baby? Maybe he'd understand. Maybe she just wasn't ready to date. Maybe she didn't even really know how to date. "Are you going with a boy?"

Erin nodded and left it at that. The situation was complicated. If things didn't pan out, she didn't want Hope to view her teacher any differently, nor did she want Hope to grow even more attached to him, just in case. In general, she hoped for the best but was always prepared for the worst. The day her daughter was born, her life was no longer to be lived solely for herself.

Hope was squeaky clean and jumping on the couch in Paw Patrol pajamas when Jackie arrived. "Sit down, ahora," Erin warned her, turning on a smile as she answered the door. Jackie had come prepared. Erin spotted board games and snacks inside the bag on Jackie's shoulder. "Hi, Jackie. Hope, this is Jackie, she's gonna hang out with you tonight."

Hope didn't know the meaning of shy. She hopped to the floor and marched right up to the tall, slim redhead after Jackie placed her things on the kitchen table. "Do you have a soul?"

"Oh my god," Erin slapped her palm against her forehead, glaring at her daughter. "Don't be rude. Where did you even hear that?"

Hope shrugged, tiny shoulders rising and falling. "My friend Quentin at school said his dad told him people with red hair don't have souls!"

"I've heard a lot worse," Jackie waved it off, laughing. "At least she didn't tell me I was gonna be her next victim like the Brown twins downstairs did last week. Those kids need counseling."

Erin couldn't disagree, especially since they'd broken her rear passenger window with a basketball last summer. "I'm sorry," Erin apologized, hands on her hips. "Actually, Hope is sorry and she's gonna tell you that right now or be in a world of trouble."

"I'm very sorry," Hope laid it on thick and in the process, won Jackie over. Hope watched as Jackie started to unload her bag. "What's a soul?"

"Just know that I've got one. And mine tells me that you like... Wonder Woman, maybe? I brought some comics if you want to see them. We can have popcorn and I'll read while you look at the pictures. Sound okay?"