When It's Over

4

Jewel parked behind the all black G-wagon.

She stared at her son in the rear view mirror as he hopped out of the car and ran towards the school's gymnasium.

The boys had been called in for a mandatory meeting to meet their coach which meant that Jewel was on mummy duty while Carlos spent his last day off at home relaxing.

"Mummy can we go for ice cream?"

Mya asked, her eyes pleading as Jewel shook her head.

As much as they paid top dollar for both kids to attend Exchange Private School, Jewel did not feel okay about leaving her kids alone when it came to after school activities.

Which was why when she couldn't, Summer collected Mya from gymnastics and Justin's mom brought Jeston home when Jewel had a business meeting or worked an event.

"My you know we have to stay with Jes."

Jewel responded as Mya unhooked her seatbelt and hopped out of the car taking Jewel's hand.

"If daddy came along we could have gone for ice cream."

"We could have."

Jewel nodded.

"But daddy is tired and has to go back out to work from tomorrow so he needs to rest."

Jewel formed an excuse for her husband when she was just as annoyed that he'd pushed Jeston to follow in his footsteps and it was her who spent most of her time supporting her son's after school activity.

They entered the gymnasium and Jewel took a seat on the bleachers as she gave Mya her tablet and headphones.

"Knock yourself out kid."

Jewel pulled her own device out as she checked emails from her assistant Crystal of meetings she had scheduled this week.

Her eyes rose from her phone and paused as she saw the man enter through the doubled doors.

He paused the moment his eyes found hers and Jewel could feel parents looking in her direction as she turned her gaze away.

What the hell was he doing here?

*******

Practice went on without a glitch and when the boys were finished, Jeston ran towards the locker room with his friends while parents headed towards their vehicles.

Jewel took the steps two at a time, Mya on her waist.

"Jewel!"

Her name on his tongue made her halt. She'd been trying to escape from the man, yet he still caught up to her.

She turned to face him, plastering a smile on her lips.

"Ryan, good to see you again. You work here now?"

He nodded as Jewel motioned with her eyes towards the tiny human attached to her waist and prayed Ryan received the message.

"This was the job I was telling you about. Hi Mya how are you?"

He asked her as Mya placed her head on Jewel's shoulder and a yawn escaped her lips.

"Apparently watching basketball is just as tiring as playing it."

Jewel joked as Ryan smiled.

"Actually I was calling to ask you..."

"Mom!"

Jeston ran towards the three, his gaze fixated on his coach.

"You could have waited in the car."

He said, an annoyed expression on his face as Jewel turned him in the direction of the door.