Filed to story: Breathe Story (Sadie White & Jax Stone)
I rolled my eyes, knowing what words would be next. “Yes,” I replied and took another bite.
“Then will you have pity on me and my enormous stomach, and go fix me a bowl when you’re done?”
This was an old game. She thought it cute to ask if I loved her before she asked me to go get her something. I ate the rest of my cereal and drank all my milk before I stood up.
“Going to get your cereal,” I said as I walked back in the door.
“Thanks, honey,” she replied not opening her eyes.
I fixed her a large bowl, so I wouldn’t have to fix her a second one, and took it to her. I needed to tell her about Marcus before he got here. I gave her the bowl, and she sat back up from her reclined position in a chair that did not recline and took the bowl from me.
“Thanks a bunch,” she said, smiling.
I sat back down. “I have made a friend at work, and he is coming to get me today to show me around and hang out.”
Jessica put the spoon full of cereal back down. “A boy! You?”
“He isn’t a boy I am dating. He is just a friend. He is from around here and wants to hang out today.”
She smiled and took a bite of cereal. She’d barely swallowed when she said, “I can’t believe you talked to someone enough to make a friend. Or is he a recluse too?”
I stood up, not in the mood for my mom’s teasing. She loved to remind me how I lacked social skills.
I started back inside, and she laughed. “I’m just teasing, Sadie. Don’t get so upset. I’m glad you’ve got a friend. Just don’t forget about me and stay gone all day. It gets lonely around here.”
I hated it when she laid on a guilt trip. “You have a car. Go somewhere and do something.”
She gave a melodramatic sigh. “I do need to go get a pedicure, since I can’t see my toes anymore.
I shook my head. “No, something where no money is required. Like go for a walk down the beach.”
She rolled her eyes this time, and I went inside. I made a beeline for the stashed money I’d saved for bills and hid it somewhere else. I didn’t need to come home and find she’d spent all our money. After the cash was secured, I went to get ready for my day with Marcus. I needed to wash my hair and coat myself with sun block. The sun here could be brutal. But first, I needed to find a swimsuit and something to wear. I checked the time. I had thirty minutes until he would arrive to pick me up. I needed to be ready so Jessica didn’t answer the door and find some way to embarrass me.
“Good morning,” Marcus said when I opened the door.
“Good morning to you too! Hold on just a sec and I’ll grab my purse.” I turned, went back into the living room, and picked up the purse I’d left on the coffee table.
“I’m gone. Get out and go do something,” I said to my mom before I walked back to the door.
“What, you’re not bringing him in?” She was still dressed in her black nightgown, which stretched over her stomach.
“No, Mom, not with you dressed in your nightgown.”
She laughed, and I rushed back to the door.
“You ready to see this place from a local’s eyes?” he asked grinning.
I nodded, excited. “Yes, I am.”
He opened the truck door for me, and I climbed in. He ran around, jumped in, and slid on a pair of dark sunglasses. “Do you eat raw oysters?”