Love Happened

Running Into You

        “Damn! That last guy was too rough. It’ll take days for the bruises to go away. Least he paid me extra for it.” Casey said as she checked herself out while sitting in the car. She took a deep breath then stepped out of the car. She walked in and saw Maritza, her neighbor and sitter. She was watching television.

         “Right on time, little momma.” Maritza said with a smile. She was Spanish and Casey loved her accent. She was even teaching Kenzie a little bit.

        “I hope your night was a lot better than mine, sister.” Casey laughed.

         “Oh it went great. Kenzie had a little tantrum, not wanting to go to bed. I bargained with ten more minutes of cartoons.” Maritza said shaking her head, laughing.

         “I told her to go to bed on time, ugh. That child grows more and more to be like her daddy every day.” Casey smiled at the thought.

         “I tried to tell her no but she gave me that look.” Maritza gave a sad face. “Laney only woke up twice though so it was a good night.” She stood to leave but stopped when she saw the bruises. Casey had fingerprint marks on her arms. She saw that Maritza noticed and covered them.

        “Are the girls still sleeping? I really don’t want them to see me like this.” Casey whispered.

        “Yes.” Maritza whispered as she started to tear up. She came closer to Casey and kissed her forehead. “Please be more careful, little momma.” She said as she left.

         After Maritza had left, Casey went to shower and put something on that had longer sleeves. Casey stared at herself in the mirror. She hated her reflection more and more, lately. She had long brown hair and light blue eyes. She had a slender body and was medium height.

         Casey was a stripper and sometimes she would sleep with men for money. She hated it but she had no other choice. She had to pay the bills and put food on the table for her children. She had a 5yr old daughter named Kenzie and a 6month old baby girl named Laney.

        Kenzie had short brown hair and was always smiling. Laney had a hint of blonde hair and was genuinely a happy baby. Not fussy at all. Casey is 22 and she had Kenzie when she was 17. Her boyfriend, died in a car crash a year after Kenzie was born. Casey was heartbroken and she hadn’t loved any man since. Laney was definitely a surprise. She was from a one night stand but Casey loved her all the same.

        Laney started to whine, which meant she was tired of being in her crib. “I’m coming baby girl. Momma’s coming.” Casey said as she walked down the hall to her room. She opened the door and Laney was standing up in her crib. She had a big smile on her face. Casey was tired, though she couldn’t help smiling along with her baby girl. It was 6 in the morning and it was time to get ready for the day.

        Casey put Laney in the playpen as she went to wake up Kenzie. She opened Kenzie’s door to find her trying to put her clothes on.

         “Hi mommy!” Kenzie said when she finally put her shirt on. It was inside out but Casey didn’t want to point that out.

        “Are you getting ready for school, princess?”

        “Yep! All by myself since I’m a big girl!” Kenzie said all proud of herself.

         “Yes, you are! I’m so proud of you baby!” Casey praised.

        Kenzie gave the biggest smile. Casey made Kenzie a bowl of cereal. Lucky Charms. While she was eating, Casey changed Laney and put some clothes on her. Kenzie brushed her hair by herself and put her shoes on by herself.

        “Mommy will you put my hair in pigtails?” Kenzie asked.

        “Of course!” Casey answered. She quickly put up Kenzie’s hair. “Ok sweetie, grab your backpack! We have to go.” Kenzie nodded and ran off to fetch her backpack. Casey picked up Laney and grabbed her purse. Kenzie was waiting by the door. She opened it and started to go out without Casey.

        “Kenzie Isabella Davidson! Big trouble!” Casey yelled. Kenzie stopped just outside the door. Casey put Laney down on the ground and rushed over to Kenzie.

        “Don’t you ever go outside without me! You know better than that.” Casey scolded Kenzie as she held both her hands.

        “I’m sorry.” Kenzie whispered as tears welled up in her eyes.

        “No baby, I’m sorry I yelled. Mommy just worries about you.” Casey said as she hugged Kenzie. “Let’s get you to school, okay?” Casey gave Kenzie a half smile.

        Kenzie went to Sunny Preschool from 8 to 3. Casey stayed at home with Laney. Today she was going to go to the park. They pulled up to the preschool and Casey got Kenzie out of her booster seat. She took Laney out in her car seat so she didn’t have to put her back in when they left.

        She walked into the preschool’s doors and saw a man standing there with a little girl. He had brown shaggy hair with a grey hat.  He was a tall man and he had a slender build. Casey could tell he had some muscles. The little girl beside him had long, light, brown hair.

        “Hi!” Kenzie said to the little girl. The little girl looked over and gave a half smile.

        “Hi.” The little girl whispered.

         “I’m Kenzie, what’s your name?” She asked.

        “Abby. It’s my first day.” Abby explained.

        “Cool! Do you wanna be friends?” Kenzie asked with a grin.

        “Sure!” Abby shrugged her shoulders.

         “Great! I’ll show you around friend!” Kenzie said, excited.

        Abby looked up at the man. He smiled and said, “Go and play. I’ll pick you up soon, okay sweetie?” The little girl shook her head and smiled, following Kenzie into the play area.

        “Looks like my daughter likes your daughter.” The man said, smiling at Casey.

        “Yeah. My Kenzie is friendly with everyone.” Casey said sitting the car seat down on the floor as she signed Kenzie in.

        “I’m Max. That was my daughter, Abby. We just moved here a few days ago.” Max smiled and held out his hand.

        “Casey. You saw my Kenzie and this little one is my Laney.” Casey said smiling down at her baby girl.

        “Wow, she’s beautiful. Well I have to get going now but hopefully we’ll run into each other later.” He gave Casey a smile.

        “Yeah! Definitely.” Casey said as Max walked out the door. “Definitely!” Casey said as a promise. No matter what she was going to see Max again.