Rent Me By The Hour (9 page)

Cynthia’s raises her eyebrows shaking her head, “Victoria. Victoria.

“I know what she is doing.” I giggle. My two best friends have been trying to set me up on dates numerous times. I’ve actually went on a couple of them, but it never lead to anything else. I just haven’t found anyone who gives me butterflies.

“She is determined to hook you up with someone.”

I look at her surprised, “You do the same thing too.”

Jordan looks up as he eavesdrops into our conversation. He wants to know who this guy Cynthia and I are talking about. I softly elbow her to change the subject. I do not like talking about other men in front of my kids because I feel it’s very disrespectful for them and their deceased father.

Stephanie and Jocelyn’s team is called on the intercom to get prepared because they will be up next. This is exciting for Cynthia and me. Our daughter’s team has won three years in a row. Jordan sits by us playing on his Gameboy wishing he was fishing right now. Last time he fished with his Uncle Matt, Uncle Rick, and Patrick, he caught a thirty-five pound redfish and he was very proud of himself and so was I.

As the girls take their cues on the floor, we yell encouraging words to the whole team. Jocelyn spots me and winks. That’s how we show our terms of endearment to each other. They start their routine while spectators and judges watch diligently.

After their performance, the crowds cheer loud because they did an excellent job. So happy for our girls, Cynthia and I hug excitedly. It was not a surprise when the judge announces that their team won first place. The team jumps up and down happy they won for the fourth time. When the girls arrived to our seats, I jump up and squeeze Jocelyn while Cynthia does the same to Stephanie. We talk for a while then say their goodbyes. Jocelyn’s team is also having a celebration party, but since we didn’t attend Jordan’s, we will not be attending Jocelyn’s. It’s just not fair and my kids are very understanding about how I feel about treating them fairly.

We grab a bite to eat and head home. The moment we open the door, Mufasa and Mulan rush outside to use the bathroom. While I’m climbing upstairs, Jordan grabs on to me and I trip. Jocelyn tries to crawl up the stairs and squirms over me. Jordan and she lollygag on their knees up the stairs. We’re just so tired. When we accomplished battling the stairs, we go in our rooms to change in our home clothes. The three of us work outside to feed our animals. Moments like this are what I live for; seeing my kids enjoying themselves and having no worries in the world.

Jocelyn comes running from the red barn. “Mom why didn’t you tell me we have new baby chicks?”

“Oh I’m sorry baby. I forgot.”

“I need to name them all.”

“Ok you do that.” I give her a tap on her butt as she skips back towards the incubator.

We stay outside for a couple of hours playing with our animals. Weather in Texas can be very bipolar. One second it’s windy and raining and the next second it’s sunny and bright. So when it’s a beautiful day outside, we take advantage of the situation. Jocelyn and Jordan play tag then they gang up on me and chase me around. What more can a mother want? The gratifying feeling of seeing my kids healthy, happy, and safe; hearing their laughter comforts me. I may not now all the answers and I may make mistakes raising them, but I’ve tried my hardest to give them the best life. For years, I’ve given my kids my full undivided attention because I love them very much and they deserve more than what I’ve already given them. My world would be useless without them so I make sure my universe revolves around theirs. The way things are going at work, I can really retire in a year, giving me more time to spend with my kids. Since our house and both cars are paid for, I really do not have any big bills that I’m concerned about. I’ve saved enough money for us to live off of and for my kids to be financially ok if something was to ever happen to me. I’ve plan on giving my business to Carmen once I decide to get out of the business completely.

The next morning, while sprawled out on my belly, I awake to my cellphone ringing. The phone has to be here somewhere. I’m blinding reaching for it on my nightstand, but can’t find it. Dammit, it’s on the floor. Using my stomach muscles, I stretch my arm out for my phone. And without checking I answer but I should have already known who it was going to be.

“Hello.” My voice groggy. Thud. My silk sheets cause me to plummet on my floor. Ah. That hurts. I thought this carpet is supposed to be super soft.

Victoria with her concerned motherly voice. “What was that noise?”

“
I just fell.”

“
You alright?”

“
Eventually. What’s up?”

“
Just wanted to make sure you guys are still coming today.”

Still on all fours, I sit up, “What time is it?” I glance over at my clock. Dammit it’s too early, “Vic it’s eight in the damn morning.”

“Yes I know. We’ve been up since six this morning. We’re up early because Matt had to go to Winnie to buy the crawfish and I needed to do some last touchups before people start coming.”

“What time are people coming?”

“Twelve.”

Can I just please go back to bed? “We’ll be there at noon. I promise.”

“Ok. See you guys.” Victoria hangs up.

I drop my phone and try to get back on my bed. I’m flipping and turning, trying to get comfortable but it’s useless. I can’t go back to sleep. Might as well get up and check to see if anyone called my business phone. No missed calls so I creep downstairs so my babies won’t hear me. I look out my ceiling to floor kitchen window. It’s going to be a beautiful day today. I open the coffee container to make a pot. The delicious aroma of classic Colombian beans. This floor is making my feet cold. I guess since I put the air conditioner on sixty every night, it will make everything in the house frigid. I lost my house slippers again. Mufasa and Mulan probably have something to do with it. I wonder how much it would cost to add an elevator in our home. It will make it easier for me on days I am feeling lazy.

My babies are still sleeping. They look so precious and innocent just like angels. After I take Mufasa and Mulan outside, I feed them, pour me a cup of coffee, set it on the coffee table, and I plop on the couch to watch the news. Moments later, Jordan joins me.

“Good morning baby.”

“Good morning.”

He curls under my arm while I flip the channel to cartoons.

“Mom, do you think dad is watching over us?”

“Of course he is.”

“Do you miss him?”

“Yes I do very much.”

“Yeah I miss him too.” Jordan’s voice cracks, “I wish he was here with us.”

“I know baby. I know.” I squeeze him, comforting his void.

“Mom can I tell you a secret?”

“Yes baby.”

“I’m not mad at dad anymore?”

“Mad? Why were you mad at your dad?”

“Because he left us behind.”

“Baby, you know that’s not his fault.” I gently cup his chin in my palm. “If he was given a choice, he would choose to be here with us.”

He looks out the large kitchen window. “I know. But he still left.” He looks back at me with his eyes shining, “Every day I was mad at him because I wanted him here with us and he wasn’t. But now I’m not mad at him anymore.”

I rest my chin on top of his head, wrapping both arms around him and holding him tight, “That’s great baby. I know he is happy.”

I’ve questioned Jordan and Jocelyn about their dad a couple of times just to let them know I’m here to answer any questions they may have about him. Though I don’t know that much about the accident because I’m too afraid to hear the truth; I’ll try to answer their questions as much as I can. But all they’ve ever asked me is if their dad is watching over us and if I miss him. And my answer is always yes. Some nights I curl in my bed squeezing on my pillow crying, hoping maybe if I wished hard enough he would walk right through the door. I too was mad at him for leaving us. I had hate inside me but knew I couldn’t move on with my life if I held onto that hate. I couldn’t love and raise my kids properly if I never let that hatred go. Max and I were like peas in a pod. We were stuck at the hips so we know each other very well. And I know he would want us to be happy, to move on and live our lives. Letting go of that negative energy helped me take care of my kids. I have great appreciation for every single mother that has raised their kids successfully. It is a very hard job.

We sit together watching cartoons and I’m holding him tight not wanting to let go. But I really do need to cook breakfast. I love the fact our living room and kitchen conjoins making it possible for me to cook and connect with my kids. Jocelyn smells the French toast; she comes downstairs rubbing her eyes and accompanies her brother on the couch. I pour milk into two glasses, place everything on the nook, and call the kids to join me.

“Mom what are we doing today?” Jocelyn stuffs her face.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full baby.” I wrinkle my brows. “We’re going to Uncle Matt and Aunt Victoria’s. They’re cooking crawfish.

“Crawfish.” Jordan and Jocelyn love eating mudbugs.

After breakfast, we go outside to do our daily farm chores. Jordan grabs the water hose and fills all the animals’ water buckets. Jocelyn mixes the food for the chickens, while I check on the baby chicks. The heat lamp blew out, so I go inside the house and grab another bulb. Another thing you must have when living in the country is a four wheeler, especially if you have land. It makes it easier to get around. I walk over to the first red barn, hop onto my brute force, and drive towards the first barn. My kids help me load five bales of hay and they race me to the other red barn.

“Hi Merry Legs.” Jocelyn runs her hand through their mane. “Hi Buttercup.”

We unload the hay then I drive the ATV back to the garage while my kids feed the rest of the animals. Once we’re done, I pour everyone some refreshing good ole sweet iced tea into mason jars. We rock on our porch sipping on ice tea. Mufasa and Mulan lay beside us as we admire the country life. We better start getting ready. If we show up late for this thing, Victoria will be blowing up my phone hunting us down. Everyone jumps in their own showers and freshen up.

After I shower, I drop the towel on the ground and stare at myself in the oval mirror. Not to brag but I’m impressed. Having two kids did not put a strain on my body. With me weighing a hundred five pounds and since I’m only five feet four inches tall, I sometimes still have to shop in the juniors department. It saves me money. I wasn’t blessed with beautiful natural voluptuous breast, so I paid a pretty penny to get mine enhanced. I lather my caramel smooth skin with my perfumed lotion. What am I going to wear? When I’m not working, I hate fixing myself up, so I just slip into a pair of denim shorts, tank top, and flip flops. Pulling my vanity leather chair, I sit and turn the fluorescent magnified mirror on. I braid my long brown mocha wavy locks into a fishbone letting some strands loose and then I apply light make-up. I’ve never had any blemishes growing up so I guess you can say I’ve haven’t really went through my
pimply
stage. I line my almond shaped hazel colored eyes with black eyeliner and brush my mascara on my butterfly lashes. Puckering my natural full luscious pale pink lips I apply lip gloss. I glance in the mirror. I have such a itty bitty curvy butt. Well I guess it blends in with my slender waist. I probably should start doing some lunges or squats to pucker up my cheeks a little. Ok I’m satisfied with the results. People have complimented me numerous times by saying I don’t look my age and they thought my kids are my siblings. Even though I’m thirty years old, I still get carded when I buy alcohol which I’m not complaining too much about. I want to be able to pull the
young card
as long as I can.