Heart of Gold

Chapter 6

I looked at a sleeping Mazey in my bed, her lips were parted revealing her missing front teeth very adorable. I slipped out of bed and looked at the clock almost six and I had to be at the hospital at seven. She looked so cute I felt bad for going to wake her now. I kissed her cheek but she didn't move, then her forehead to see if that would work but she slept like a rock.

"Mazey it's time to get up." I whispered in her ear. She crinkled her nose. "Mazey." I said and she turned her head away. "If you don't get up you will be late." I told her. Her eyes fluttered open.

"But we just went to bed." She whined sitting up.

"I know you're tired so am I, but you have school and I have work." I told her.

"I don't want to go to school." She looked up at me.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I'm too sleepy." She said and laid down again.

"Let's make a deal." I said and she looked at me waiting to hear the deal. "If you get up right now you can have anything for lunch." I said and she waited then smiled.

"I want candy." Oh boy.

"Today is Valentine's Day we can eat candy tonight. So no candy for lunch." I said.

"But you said anything." Her eyes watered.

"Two chocolate bars, four cookies, a banana, water and a sandwich." I said hoping she'd bite the bait.

"Six cookies." She folded her arms.

"Four." I folded my arms not budging.

"Six." She repeated.

"Four." I said the time was going by.

"Six." She pushed.

"If you get six cookies then only one chocolate bar." I said.

"Fine." She pouted.

"Deal?" I asked.

"Yes." She got out of the bed.

"Hustler." I smiled at her. "Bath time." I led her to her room and turned on her faucet and stripped her down. "What do you want for breakfast?" I asked her lathering her.

"Cookies." She smiled.

"No." I said. "Cereal." I said washing her hair. In minutes she was ready in her little uniform and braids. My heart melted at how adorable she looked. I put her on one of the kitchen stools and made her cereal and she sat and ate while I raced to get ready I needed to come up with a better schedule later on. I was bathing when she came in with my phone.

"Hi Aunty Trish she's bathing." I heard her and peeped out at her.

"Mazey what does Trish want?" I asked. She listened to Trish speak shaking her head.

"Aunty Trish said nice underwear; remember the white dress and nice shoes." She put the phone on the bed. I had forgotten that Trish had set me up on a date with her boyfriend's best friend. I got out the shower and walked in the walk in closet and looked for the dress pulling it down and taking out a pair of shoes. I looked at my underwear draw for good undies. No I will not partake.

I was ready in record time when I looked at the time minutes after seven. I was late. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt and sneakers. I was down with everything in hand and Mazey was watching television.

"Mazey I'm ready turn off the television and let's go." I said and she obeyed. I locked the house up not that I had to this was a safe community. I strapped Mazey in and we were off. I saw other parents dropping off their kids and I got out and undid her seatbelt. I helped her out putting on her back pack and her lunch kit. She looked sad. "Mazey is everything okay?" I was on my knees in front of her.