I wake up rubbing my eyes aggressively, letting them adjust to the light peeking through my window. I glance at the time and groan, realizing it's 7:00 am. Why is it so bright?
I blink a couple of times and verify the time. Yup, it's seven o'clock alright. But...
PM?!
I've slept for 12 hours, right through the whole Friday!
I jump up from my bed, tripping over almost everything on my floor. I go to my bathroom and apply basic makeup, then braid my waist-long hair messily. I'm going to have to get it trimmed sometime soon...
Disregarding that fact, I finish getting ready and rush to the front door when Mia stops me.
"Woah, Woah, Woah, where do you think you're going?" Mia chuckles lightly.
"Uh, to work. I need to talk to Carson and Timothy and explain-"
"-Nothing because your daughter already did all of that." Mia finishes, and I stare at her blankly.
"While you were completely knocked out your amazing daughter called Carson and Timothy and explained everything that happened. They were pretty understanding, so you can chill out for a day." Mia explains, but I just blink slowly.
"Alright, sit down, you got ready way too fast. Let me get you some water," Mia guides me to the couch and rests me down carefully. "Stay here, okay?"
Mia gave me some water and some eggs with toast, and I slowly digested the food. Gulping down the last drops of water, a refreshed feeling washes over me. I didn't realize how dehydrated I felt until now.
"Hey, Mia?" Mia appears at the sound of my voice. "What did you say to Carson and Timothy?"
"I told them that you got super drunk last night and passed out in a tree," Mia responds and I glare at her.
"I'm kidding!" Mia laughs. "I just told them the truth. You got stressed and tired and that you needed a day to think everything through." I smile at her thoughtfulness.
"Thanks, Mia," I close my eyes. "You're a lifesaver."
"Mommy!" Asher screams, running and jumping on me.
"Asher, calm down," Mia motions towards Asher but I shake my head lightly.
"It's okay Mia, I haven't spent time with Asher in a while. Do you wanna go hang out with your friends?" I ask, and she scrunches her face, something she does while she's thinking.
"I mean... Keisha is having a sleepover. I can go and come back-"
"No, no. Go have fun. I'll help you pack if you want, you've done enough."
"Are you sure you'll be okay though?" She asks and I scoff.
"Hey, who's the mom here?"
"Well..." she smiles and I roll my eyes.
"Go before I change my mind," I smile softly, and she grins, running to her room to pack. As I'm playing with Asher in my lap, my mind drifts to Mia. She's only fourteen, she shouldn't have to worry about if her mom can or can not handle looking after her kids. She shouldn't have to tuck me into bed, and she DEFINITELY shouldn't have to call my employers to inform them about my absence. As much as I feel grateful for such a wonderful daughter, I can't help but feel like I'm failing her as a mother.
"Oh, Asher..." I murmur, and he looks up at me.
"Yes, Mommy?"
"You're so cute," I smile and touch my nose to his.
"I know," he grins cockily and I scoff.
"Careful there buddy, wouldn't want your head to explode," I say, causing Asher to giggle. He's totally going to be a bad boy when he's older.
I sigh (again), thinking about how much of Asher's life I've already missed. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful to have the two jobs that I have, well had now that I have to choose between them, but I've spent a lot of time away from home. Thinking about it now, I haven't spent much time with anyone except Kenny, and that's mainly because we work together.
"Mommy guess what I learned in school!"
"What did you learn, Ash?"
"I said guess." Asher crosses his arm and I roll my eyes in response.
"Uh, I don't know... Your ABC's."
"I already know my ABC's, backwards and frontwards. Try again." Backwards? I can't even find which letter comes after 's' without going through the alphabet.
"I don't know, I give up."
"I learned a dance! Do you wanna see it?" He asks me, not even waiting for an answer before jumping out of my lap and behind the coffee table.
"It goes like this; skidamarinky dinky dink, skidaraminky dooo, I love youuu. Skidamarinky dinky dink, skimaridinky doo, I loveee youuuuu. I love you in the morning and in the afternoon, I love you in the evening and underneath the mooon. Skimaridinky dinky dink, skiraraminkry dooo, I... loveee *insert weird sound affects* YOUUU!!! Ba bum bum bum bum dee dee dahhh!"
Yes, Asher just sang "Skidamarink" while dancing strangely, yes he did pronounce some of the words wrong and yes, he did sing the last part.
"Wow, good job Asher!" I applaud, and he takes 2 dramatic bows.
"Thank you, thank you. Sorry, no autographs." He waves, plopping down back on my lap.
"Did you like it?" He asks, looking up at me.
"I loved it, it was so cute! We're gonna have to work on the words, though," I reply honestly.
"Guess what else?"
"What?"
"I'm singing it for my whole school! That's like, one thousand people! Plus two monsters and a dinosaur."
"2 monsters and a dinosaur?" I question, and he nods.
"Mrs. Delaware is a monster because she's grumpy. And so is Kennan. Don't worry about the dinosaur though, his name is Larry Herboscus the fourth. He's my best friend.
"What did Kennan do to be a monster?"
"He steals people's cookies. And he called me stupid when I said that Larry was better than everybody in my school."
"He called you stupid?" My eyes widen, and he nods again.
"Who called Asher stupid?" Mia appears, flinging her duffel bag on the ground.
"Kennan. He's mean," Asher responds.
"Want me to beat him up?" Mia asks and Asher giggles.
"No. No beating anyone up. He's four years old, Mia."
"So?"
"Just go, Mia." I roll my eyes, getting up from the couch. "The sleepover won't be any fun if you arrive at eight o'clock."
"Fine. Bye Mom, bye Ash, love you!" She waves, shutting the door behind her.
"Bye Mia!" Asher calls, even though she's gone, then looks at me.
"I'm hungry." He states. "Ice cream."
"Asher, you haven't even had dinner yet. No ice cream."
"Uh-huh, I had dinner. Mia made some."
Oh. That makes sense.
"Fine, just don't eat the whole-"
"YAY!" Asher exclaims, cutting me off and running to the kitchen. Not even three seconds later I can hear him ripping into a new tub of a Rocky Road.
I love my kids.
--x--
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General Fiction2 jobs. 2 hot bosses. 2 kids. 2 possibilities at a better life. What could go wrong? --- Jenny Jackson is a single mom who works two jobs to make a living for her and her children. She's always wanted the best for them, and now there might be a way...
