Promoted

c h a p t e r s e v e n

I hope this counts as long for you guys! 3275 words =)

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At home I park my car and enter my house. All feelings of anger have gone, and even though I'm still upset, it's sort of be a relief to be going to Florida. We can leave tomorrow morning, have two days of vacation, the funeral on Thursday and leave that night to make it home in time for my Promotion Party.
This week is definitely gonna be a busy one.
"MIA! ASHER!" I call, and they both come storming towards me.
"Yes mom?" They say simultaneously.
"Good news and bad news. The bad news is that Grandpa died."
"What?! When???" Mia asks, tears forming in her eyes.
"A few weeks ago. I know, I know. I just found out. Your grand-mother is the worst. On the bright side though, the funeral's in Florida!" I try to cheer her up, but she starts sobbing.
"I know Mia, it's a shock for me too. But we have to leave by tomorrow morning, so I suggest you start packing. We'll be there for three days, the funeral is this Thursday. Call me if you need anything, okay? You can go tell your friends after if you'd like."
"Okay mom," she sniffles, and I give her a squeeze before she trudges upstairs.
"It's not fair."
I look towards Asher. "What are you talking about bud?"
"I never knew Grandpa lots, and now I never will because he's dead and he's not coming alive again," Asher pouts, and I give him a sympathetic look.
"You know what Asher? It really is unfair, and I'm sorry you never knew Grandpa well. All I can say is that he loved you a whole bunch, and that's what matters."
"I still feel sad." He mentions, and I kneel to his level.
"Guess what, Ash? I do too. In fact, I feel really sad. I'll miss grandpa so much, and I wish we spent more time with him, but life happens. Grandpa lived a long life, and maybe we'll see him again soon.
"Okay," Asher looks down, then back at me. "Can you help me pack?"
"Of course I will, Ash." I ruffle his hair and stand up. "How about you find some clothes and I'll tell you what to bring and what to leave. Don't forget your elephant!"
"Okay," Asher runs upstairs, leaving me with the ticking of our clock.
"Alright," I murmur. "First I need to call Maria, Timothy then Kenny. I need to pack, book the nearest flight and a hotel, and get my kids and myself to the airport. We need to fly to Florida, go to our hotel and sleep until the day of the funeral. I'm kidding, ha! I crack myself up." I explain the situation (to myself) then get started with the process. I make my phone calls, thankfully find a flight to Florida that leaves at nine am tomorrow and a hotel we can stay in, and go to my room. I pack a bathing suit, pyjamas, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 T-shirts, underwear, a black dress and shoes in my suitcase. For my carry on, I place my necessities, a book and collect snacks for the flight. Satisfied with my packing, I check to see if my kids are okay and leave for Maria's house.

--x--

"OHMIGOSH, JENNY!" Maria cries as soon as she sees me.
"Hey, Maria," I hug her.
"I'm so sorry about your dad. He was so kind."
"Yeah, thanks. I still can't believe my mom!"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, right," I shake my head and explain the story to her. I can tell that every word I say increases her anger until she blows.
"UGH! YOUR MOM I SUCH A _____ I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE WOULD _______ DO THAT! HOW DO YOU _______ STAND THAT ______?"
(feel free to fill in the blanks.)
"I don't know. I brought wine, but can't have much since I'm driving."
"Pass it, I need the whole thing," I hand Maria the bottle.
"So, you're coming to the funeral, right? It's okay if you can't make it, I know it's short notice." I ask, looking towards Maria holding a quarter full bottle of wine.
"MARIA!"
"What?"
"You can't just chug a whole bottle of wine!"
"Yeah, I can. I'm an adult; I'll do what I want." She rolls her eyes, gulping down some more.
"That's it," I snatch the bottle from her, making sure it's out of her reach.
"Hey! You just want it for yourself." Maria crosses her arms, and I smile slyly.
"Maybeee..." I take a sip and she half laughs, half scoffs.
"Oh shoot," I giggle, and Maria glances at me weirdly.
"What?"
"Kenny told me he was coming over and I left," I laugh, and this time Maria joins in.
"You ditched Kenny?! Oh my gosh, Jenny."
"I know! He'll know I'm here and he's going to be so mad." I giggle (again). "Oh well," I shrug, just as Kenny enters the apartment.
"Wow. You guys are doing it again."
"We can have fun without you Kenny," I go to hug him, but he pushes me away.
"Don't. I can't even drink because I gotta take you home. I feel used. Extremely used."
"Well it's a good thing you're here now," I look towards Maria. "I should probably go, make sure the children are okay," I hug Maria, and we stay in the embrace for a moment.
"I hope you feel better. I'll try to come to the funeral," Maria says and I brush it off.
"It's fine if you can't make it. Bye Maria,"
"Bye Jenny."
Kenny and I exit the apartment, waving at my best friend. We then enter his car, driving to my house.
When we arrive, I check on my kids to see their progress. Mia has the majority of her things packed, so I tell her that she can visit her friends. Meanwhile, I keep up my end of the promise with Asher and help him pack his things. We finish quickly, thanks to the help of Kenny, and I call Mia back home so we can sleep. I know we're going to need an early start since the airport is an hour away, plus the process of checking our bags and such..
Once Kenny leaves and Mia returns, I get her and her brother tucked into bed, then doing the same for myself.
It's gonna be a long day tomorrow...