I know what it looks like, and I'm sorry for taking so long. The next chapter should be out by this week.
---
I wake up to the sound of screaming and check the time; 4:50. Wow. I've slept for five hours. Ignoring that fact I stumble downstairs, rubbing my eyes to adjust my vision.
"Guys, what's all the racket for?" I groan blinking a few times then taking in the sight before me. Zayne is trying to hide from Asher, who is chasing him, and Asher is trying to dodge the cushions Mia is throwing at him. The living room, kitchen and bathroom are all a mess, and not to mention soaking wet.
"GUYS!" I scream, and everybody stops.
"This place is a mess! Are you kidding? Clean it up now, or we're not going to the beach tomorrow." I demand sternly, and everybody immediately begins to tidy up the mess. While they're doing that, I work on one of the projects I've been stuck on. Once the place is tidy, I call Zayne over to talk.
"Zayne, how old are you?" I ask him, squinting my eyes a bit.
"Fifteen," he answers quickly.
"Zayne, how old are you?" I ask again, waiting for the correct answer.
"I said-"
"Don't lie to me Zayne."
"Uh... um..." he looks back at Mia, then sighs.
"Seventeen..."
"Seventeen. Mhm. Are you aware that soon enough, Mia will be a child and you will be an adult?"
"Mom, stop. Zayne is doing anything."
"Mia, don't interrupt me. Zayne, answer?"
"Uh, yes Ma'am."
"Mmhmm. So... what are you doing here with your grown-butt playing with my children?"
"OMG, MOM!"
"Zayne?"
"Uhhh-"
"That's it! Mom, Zayne has done nothing to hurt us-"
"Yet," I glare at him, but Mia continues.
"-and it's going to stay that way. Now that the place is clean, we will be leaving." Mia turns to her brother. "Without Asher." And with that she grabs Zayne's hand and pulls him out the door, causing only Asher and me to remain.
"Sorry for making a mess, Mommy." Asher pouts, and I chuckle at him.
"That's okay Asher. Let's go get ice-"
"ICE-CREAM!" Asher runs out the door, giving me only a few seconds to grab my things and race after him.
"ICE-CREAM!"
---
By time Mia returned home, it was 3:10 am. She was escorted by the police after I called them because Mia wasn't answering her phone. At that point I was too tired to yell at her, so I sent her to her room, prepared to be petty for today. At the moment we are at the beach boardwalk, and petty mom mode has been activated.
"Hey, Mom," Mia begins. "Can I check out the gift shop? I wanna get some things for my friends."
"Sure, just let Asher finish his ice-cream, I don't want him dripping that stuff everywhere."
"Oh, uh, it's just right there. I can go by myself, I'll be fine," she points behind her, and I smile sweetly.
"I know you would."
"Mom, is this because of yesterday? Like, I get it, but you're being petty."
"Oh, am I? Darn."
"Mo-om!"
"Hey Mia, hello Ms..."
"Jackson. Zayne, what are you doing here?"
"I came to ask if I could take Mia somewhere." He scratches his neck nervously.
"Mom, please?"
"I promise I'll make sure she's home in time."
"Yeah, mom, I'll come home on time! Please??"
I look between the two and smile.
"No."
"What?!" Mia frowns. "That's not fair."
"Sorry Zayne, but Mia's not allowed to go anywhere without Asher and me for today, and I'm guessing you don't want us tagging along."
"Mommy, I'm done my ice-cream," I feel a pat on my leg.
"Well look at that; Mia we can go to the gift shop now. Sorry Zayne, maybe tomorrow."
"That's okay, I understand," he sighs. "I'm really sorry again about last night."
"It's fine. Let's go, you're allowed to spend 20 dollars each."
I tell them, following them into the store and leaving Zayne.
After our little shopping trip, we hung out at the beach, walked through town, and even snapped pictures of a few alligators. Even though I was captivated by the beauty of Florida, I still had a strong feeling that I was being watched, though I never saw anyone who's eyes were trained on me. I could even feel their glare when we were at the hotel. I was trying to think who could be watching me when I got a phone call.
"Hello?" The other line crackled.
"Who is this?" I mutter, trying not to wake my kids.
"Jenny Jackson, is that you?" the deep voice rumbles.
"I said, who is this?"
"Oh Jenny, you don't remember me?"
"Listen, if this is Jake Yansen from fourth grade, I promise you, Freida stole your cards, I didn't."
"Wha- no, it's not Jake."
"Then who are you, and how did you get my number?"
"You gave it to me on the first day of school, right outside the front doors when your mom came to pick you up. Remember that?" I gasp, knowing exactly who this is.
"Listen, you need to stay away from my family, got it?"
"Oh Jenny, you're so cute when you're mad. And, look at that; you still have that messy bun down packed, good for you." Shivers run down my spine at the thought of that man watching me.
"Where are you? Leave me alone or I'm calling the police."
"Oof, we wouldn't want that, would we? Guess I better get going. See you tomorrow, Jenny." The line drops.
"I thought... I thought...." I stammer, and Asher walks in, rubbing his eyes.
"Mommy... who was that?"
"Oh, just a, um- telemarketer."
"A telemarketer scared you?" He tilts his head, but I brush his question off.
"Let's just go to sleep Asher, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy..."
---
There you go.
Who do you think Jenny was talking to? Personally, I think it's kind of obvious, but maybe that's just because I know who >=)
You: or you're just obvious.
k bye.
w o r d c o u n t : 956
YOU ARE READING
Promoted
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...
