“Already
working on your homework kiddo?”
“Yeah,
it’s easy though.
“That’s
good! We always knew you were a smart cookie.”
“But
that means it’s boring. Why do I have to do homework for stuff I already know
how to do? Isn't homework supposed to be practice?”
When
Evangeline got home from work that night, she fell onto the couch, exhausted.
She’d had a long day at work; the ovens’ temperature gauge had malfunctioned,
causing the stoves to run hotter than the cooks thought, burning a lot of the
food. An employee had been demoted several ranks for failing to perform up to
par. Then, Evangeline had nicked her hand while chopping onions and the
frustrated kitchen manager had intimated that Evangeline could be demoted next
if she didn't get her act together. On top of it all, she had received a call
from Flynn’s teacher, asking for a meeting with her and the principal the next
afternoon due to some behavioral problems that needed to be addressed.
“Are
you feeling okay,” Renata sat on the couch across from her, already dressed for
bed after putting the kids to sleep.
“Just
a long day. I wish I could be there for Gemma’s party tomorrow.”
“She’ll
see you when you get home. You shouldn't worry so much.”
“I
know. It just sucks that I’ll miss it.” She sighed, already dreading the next
day. “I've got to call Miles too. I’ll need to discuss this thing with Flynn
with him.”
“Have
you all talked to him at all lately?”
“No,
not since that disastrous moment at the party. He’s been out of town so we
haven’t had to work out custody yet. But he texted me yesterday and he’s back
now and wants to see the kids. Joy.”
The
next day, she arrived at the school just before her work shift. Luckily, the
principal didn’t keep her waiting for long. She hoped she wouldn't be late to
work.
“Mrs.
Avendale,” the principal begin.
“Ms.”
“Excuse
me?”
“It’s
Ms. I’m not married.”
“That
explains a lot,” the cross woman behind her scoffed. Evangeline closed her eyes
for a moment and tried to focus on why she was here. “Don’t blow up, don’t blow up.”
“Your
son is a menace. He rarely pays attention in class and he corrects me in front
of other students. When I reprimand him, he sasses me. He has no manners and no
respect for his elders.”
“Ms.
Avendale, your son has been sent to my office previously but he does not seem
interested in behaving in class. That said, he is quite bright and has
excellent grades.”
“Have
you tried giving him harder work? He told me that the work was too easy for
him.”
“When
he’s in my class, he gets the work assigned to my students! I don’t give do
special treatment!”
“Mr.
Sneed, I believe what she is trying to say is that she would like my son
removed from her class. I’m agreeable to that solution as she doesn't appear to
have the skills to handle a child with intelligence above her own. I’d like to
get Flynn tested and see if he could possibly excel in a higher grade. If not,
I’d greatly appreciate finding a teacher that has more patience and is willing
to try to make the classroom more engaging for him. If your school doesn't
offer that I’ll find a way to manage and get him and his siblings when they are
school-age, into private school.”
Gemma’s
birthday was a small affair, attended only by family.
When
Evangeline pulled into the driveway, she noticed extra cars still there,
including Miles’ car. She went in through the garage and caught Renata in the
kitchen, cleaning up the remnants of birthday cake.
“Come
here,” she hissed. “What’s he doing
here?”
“Gemma
is his niece and he wanted to see the kids. I can’t tell him he can’t see his
children Evangeline. Plus, I know you wanted to talk to him.”
“Not
tonight!”
“Sorry.
It’s too late now though. Flynn saw you drive up so everyone knows you’re
home.” Evangeline sighed and started towards the dining room.
“Hey
baby. Let me talk to your dad for a few minutes alone, then I’ll come up stairs
and tell you a bedtime story. Go get ready, okay?”
“Kay
mom! Bye daddy!” Flynn hugged his father and raced up the stairs.
“We
need to consider private school for Flynn.” Evangeline relayed her meeting with
the school to Miles, straightforward and all business.
“Huh,
okay. I guess we can swing that, if they can’t find a suitable place for him.
Whatever is best. Can we talk about us, please?”
“Miles,
I've had a long day. A long week really. There’s nothing to talk about. What
happened, happened and there’s no us anymore. No further discussion needed. Now
I promised our son a bedtime story so I've got to go do that.”
“Evey,
please.”
“Don’t
make this any harder than it has to be.” She stood, the conversation finished.
“You’re welcome to see them whenever you want. I know your place isn't big
enough for them all but you can come get them any time you’re in town. Just
give me some advance notice. Goodnight Miles.”
“Gemma!
Ewwwww!”
“You
walked in on me, get out jerkface!”
“Flynn!
I was saving that French toast for me!”
“Your
name wasn't on it so it’s mine now. You snooze you lose!”
A
few weeks into spring, warm weather without the rain finally made it’s way into
St. Claire. Evangeline brought the children outside and settled onto a beach
towel to read a book.
“Watch
where you’re throwing things! Don’t hit me or your siblings with those balloons
Flynn.”
“Kitty!”
“Hanley,
no! Don’t touch that sweetie! That’s not a kitty.”
“Kitty!”
“So much for relaxing outside.”
Evangeline put her book up and sat, keeping a closer eye on everyone to ensure
there were no bites or bruises.
“Are
you excited about your date tonight?” Suddenly, Evangeline remembered that a co-worker
had asked her out. This would be her first date since breaking up with Miles
and she couldn't help but admit that she was nervous.
“This is so much more work than I remember.” Evangeline
examined her face, realizing that she was slowly developing wrinkles around the
corners of her eyes that no amount of make-up would hide.
“And
then, he said ‘what the cheese, doodle,’” Gerard paused, waiting for Evangeline
to laugh. “Um, I guess you had to be there.” Evangeline just lifted her drink
to her lips again, taking a long swallow, hoping for the night to be over.
“Do
you think our daddies will ever live with us,” Gemma asked Flynn as they shot
hoops on the side of the house.
“Maybe.”
“Everyone
at school lives with their mommy and daddy. We’re weirdos because our mommies
live together instead.”
“Who
cares. Yes,” he exclaimed as he ball sank through the net. “I win again!”
“Why
didn't you help me,” Gemma thrust her finger at her cousin as soon as they got
off the bus. “When I tripped down the hall you walked right by me!”
“I
was with my friends!”
“So?”
“So,
I didn't want them to think I’m a loser like you!” He watched as her face fell
but before she could cry, she turned and stalked off.
Her
babies were growing up. Evangeline could tell each time she picked them up or
even looked at them that, soon, they wouldn't be babies any longer. Working the
evening shift at the restaurant was tiring but it gave her alone time with
Hanley and Hal each morning that she could spend reading with them and playing
games.
“Flynn,
let’s place space adventurers!” All had been forgiven since the school
incident. Gemma idolized her cousin and just wanted to be best friends with him
which made forgiving him easy.
“Sure,
come on into my spaceship.” She grinned and headed over to the tree house. The
park near their house was small and didn't have much but the tree house was the
reason they always came here.
“Oh
no! Alien goo, watch out below!” Before she could even move, Gemma felt a cold
gush of water whoosh over her. “Now you’re polluted with alien goo and you can’t
come in the spaceship. You’d get the other astronauts sick!”
“I
won’t get you sick with alien goo. I promise!”
“Yes
you will. That’s what happens when you get infected. I can’t risk it.” Flynn
might or might not have been watching a little too much tv lately.
Gemma
wandered, dripping wet, over to the swing set and plopped down in the rubber
seat. She sniffled and tried to hold back tears. Flynn was so mean to her. Not all the time. He teased her or
ignored her when they were at school. He
does everything with me when we’re home. He’s just being a boy. Boys can be mean sometimes. Maybe tomorrow
they could play space adventurers together, without the alien goo.
“Which
one of you did this?” Evangeline was the victim of a sneaky culprit’s trap on
the sink and did not appreciate being soaked to the bone with a puddle quickly
forming at her feet.
“Not
me!” Both the kids yelled in unison. She glared at them, trying to decide who
would have done it. Both their faces were completely innocent so she just
huffed off as she went to the bathroom to shower and dry off while Renata
mopped up the puddle.
What
would the messes and pranks be like once the twins were old enough to
contribute to the chaos?
I'm back-ish. It was really, really hard to get back into this story for some reason. For some reason, this generation is just giving me troubles now that they're "on their own". There is still some story left for our adults but there will be a lot more focus on the kids. I'm hoping to get the heir vote up fairly quickly, probably two more chapters. Though, with me, that could be months out. LOL.
Special thank you to Buckley who's a great sounding board for working ideas out!
