I’m raising my kids alone after my husband left for his lover, who’s ironically my rival for a promotion at work. While trying to navigate my personal and professional lives, a persistent neighbor always offers help. Life was not easy, but after several setbacks, I’m reconsidering my opinion of him.
My morning started the same way it always did. Jake’s loud cries echoed through the small house. I groaned, trying to shake off the fog of exhaustion after another sleepless night.
I dragged myself out of bed and headed toward Jake’s room. “Mommy!” he wailed. I quickly realized the problem.
His wet pants clung to him. Again. “Jake, honey,” I sighed, lifting him into my arms.
“I’m sorry, I forgot the diaper.”
I stripped off his soaked pajamas and wiped him down as fast as I could. No time for lingering today. Today was a big day.
As I carried Jake to the kitchen, I spotted Mia sitting up in bed and yawning. She wasn’t one to jump out of bed. No, she waited for me to come and dress her, especially when it was a school day.
“Mia, sweetie, you’ve got to get up and get dressed. We don’t have much time today.”
She groaned and flopped back onto the pillow, her curly hair covering her face. “I don’t want to go to school!
They’re serving steamed vegetables again.”
I smiled, though there was no time to argue. “We’ve been over this, Mia. You have to eat healthy.
It’s good for you.”
“But they taste yucky!”
“Yucky or not, you’re eating them. Now, come on, we’re going to be late!”
Jake’s gluten-free breakfast was a mess of crumbs on the counter while Mia eyed her plate of veggies like it was poison. The clock ticked louder in my head as I checked my phone.
“Alright, let’s go!” I called out, grabbing my bag and juggling coats and backpacks. We rushed outside, and just then, our new neighbor, Nick, appeared out of nowhere. “Morning, Emma!” he called with a friendly wave.
His broad smile was a little too bright for 8 a.m. “Need a hand?”
I didn’t have time for small talk. I plastered on a polite smile.
“Thanks, Nick, but I’ve got it.”
Before I could wrangle Jake into his seat, he reached out with his sticky hands — that had somehow found syrup — and smeared it right across my suit jacket. “Jake!” I yelped, my stomach sinking. “Not today!”
There was no time to change.
I wiped at the stain as best as I could and hurried to drop Mia off at school. ***
At work, I was already running late, dropping Jake off at my friend Lisa’s desk at reception before racing upstairs for the meeting. I pushed open the door, my heart pounding, and there she was — Stephanie.
She was the woman who had not only destroyed my marriage but was now competing with me for a promotion. She smiled that smug, confident smile, and it hit me. She was ready to win this.
Just like she always did. I gathered myself, determined not to let her get to me. But as I opened the presentation slides, my heart sank.
Scribbles. Colored scribbles all over my files! That was Mia’s work from the night before.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
Tap READ MORE to discover the rest 🔎👇
