Beyond The Broken Glass3: Finally Mended [complete]

26.) The Interview

Despite how tired I was, despite being so run down from all the stressing and crying I still had to parent. I still had to get up and make sure that my children were taken care of. We had to wake them up earlier today because their interview was at nine. So that meant I have to be up earlier than them. I showered and did all that good stuff. Just because I knew I'd be up and ready to go. I had to make breakfast and make sure that hair was combed and teeth were brushed.

"You know you could have asked me to help?"

"You need to rest," I told him as I was going through Milani's wardrobe to find her a decent outfit. "Doctors orders. Besides I got used to doing this alone. I got the routine down."

"Yeah well—you ain't alone no more." He mumbled as he walked out of the doorway. A few moments later Kyson came stumbling through the door like a zombie on its last leg.

"I'm tired!" He whines as he crawled into the bed and laid himself down beside his sister who was pulling her hair.

"I know babe but we got a big day today."

"No day." She whined as she rolled over and threw her arm over Kyson.

"Is this mutiny I'm seeing—because kids who participate in mutiny don't get to have movie night and ice cream later today."

And just like that, I won. They sprang out of the bed and ran to their bathrooms. When I popped in on them they were brushing their teeth.

"So remember—be nice and smile okay and Mimi no screaming."

"No screaming?"

"That's right," I told her as I took her hand in mine. It took longer than I thought to comb her hair only because she was being so fussy today. They had a good fifteen minutes to spare for breakfast and then they had to brush their teeth again.

"Are you going to participate?" I asked him as he leaned on the counter. Honestly, he didn't look like he was in good enough shape but it would look good on us to have both parents present.

"Yeah." He groaned as he reached to hold his ribcage. He winced when a slight cough escaped his chest.

"I thought you said you were getting better."

"After effects, Bri. You don't just get shot and that's it."

"You act like I don't know that," I argued as I reached to touch my own bullet scar. It was old but very much healed. I understood perfectly how being shot went. As unfortunate as that sounds. I wish it to never happen again.

"I'm about to go get ready."

"Hmm." I hummed and turned away from him. I took my hands and steadied myself against the island. I do want some normalcy in life, but at what expense? Am I really ready to give my kids to these people? I know I can't keep them locked away forever but at least with me, I knew they were safe. At school, I just had to trust that they would be okay.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Kyson?"

"Is uncle Drew coming over? I want to show him my plane."

"Why don't you show daddy?" I asked as I turned around to look him in the face. He had a nonchalant expression as he shrugged.

"I just wanna show uncle Drew."

"I'm sure your dad would have fun looking at your plane with you."

"I'll call him myself."

"Kyson—come here." I put my hands out as he came over to stand in front of me. I slowly bent down to be eye level with him.