by Jules Smith
“Why were you out so late? Is anything even open past midnight? It’s a little late to be leaving the kids on their own.”
“I’m never usually that late home if I get to go out, so don’t pull that one. It was a special event so it went on longer than usual.” Trust him to spoil my happy mood, “plus the kids are fine, the house is secure, they have my number, friends’ numbers and neighbours. What do you want me to do? Never go out anywhere?”
“That’s not what I said. I think it’s a little late to be out with your boss and you need to be aware of your responsibilities.”
Wanker.
“A little late to be out with my boss? I wonder if Sarah’s mum says that to her,” I said sarcastically.
“There’s no need to be facetious. I was ringing to make sure there wasn’t a problem.”
“Did you receive my spreadsheet?” I asked, changing the subject before I lost my temper.
“Yes. I’ve made some corrections and alterations which we need to go through. I’ll call in to see you this weekend.”
Of course he had.
“Well make sure you call first in case I’m out. Now, I must go as it’s my last day at work and I’m busy with my colleagues.”
“Right. I’ll see you later.” He hung up. I looked at my phone and thought about deleting him.
The day flew by faster than any other, probably because I didn’t want it to and though it had been nice it was tinged with sadness. By 4pm I sat at my desk with a cuppa and ate yet another chocolate from the pile on my desk.
“No more Soph!” Johnno exclaimed, “they’re bad for you and you won’t eat your dinner!”
“You can’t buy me something and then tell me it’s bad for me! Besides, I probably won’t eat dinner.”
“Yes you will.”
“OK, Dad.”
My phone beeped:
MSG From: COLIN FRAY: I can’t stop thinking about you.
My heart did a happy dance and a smile spread across my face. I re read the message several times before responding.
SOPHIE RHODES: Don’t worry, you’ll get over that in a few weeks.
COLIN FRAY: I doubt that. Sorry I missed your big day. Meeting.
SOPHIE RHODES: It’s OK. That’s life. Thanks for all the presents.
COLIN FRAY: I didn’t want to see you walk out anyway so maybe it’s a blessing.
I left the office at the end of the day having been hugged to death, kissed a hundred times and with a whole load of promises to keep. My new waterproof mascara that had been given to me from the beauty department, had leaked down my face leaving me looking like Gene Simmons in a rain storm.
When I arrived back at the ranch, Bryony was sat at the kitchen table doing her art homework and listening to music. I spent some time helping her paint even though she kept telling me I was doing it wrong. Painting by numbers was probably more up my street but it helped me ignore the feeling of loss that enveloped me.
“Where’s Brendon?” I asked.
“He’s at Jessies. I think he’s gone there for tea.”
I made her some cheese on toast as she painted flowers in a Georgia O’ Keeffe style and I marvelled at her talent. I couldn’t eat anything as I had seriously overdosed on chocolate. I decided, instead, to open one of the bottles of Rioja I had received and have a glass of that to celebrate and commiserate and sat next to Bryony as the red and pink hues of the oil paint married themselves together.
A while later Brendon arrived. He looked very happy and chilled. I sniffed the air for traces of drugs.
“Hey Mommy.” He gave me a big hug, “did you get my present?
“What present?” I looked around the room for signs of gifts.
“It should have come in the post. They emailed me to say it had… It’s a spa day. You like those don’t you?”
Oh my God. The letter. I’d completely forgotten about it.
“You? You bought me that? Are you serious?” I was in shock.
“Yes. To say thank you for everything you do. I know I make life hard for you.”
I clasped my hand to my heart before it broke in two. “You can’t afford that. How did you pay for it? You shouldn’t have…really. Thank you so much. You’re my sweetheart!”
“I saved up all my birthday money.”
“What?” I hugged him hard and vowed in my heart to pay him back, “But that money is for you to spend on yourself…not for anyone else.”
“Don’t you like it then?” He stiffened and pulled away from me.
“Yes of course I do! I LOVE spa days and it’s just what I needed,” I sighed, “I’m not being ungrateful, I just don’t want you spending that kind of money on me…but thank you. Thank you so much.” His generosity had always dumbfounded me. Like everything he did, it was extreme. I changed the subject before I offended him.
“You seem very happy and relaxed. You haven’t been smoking weed have you?” I teased.
“No. But I just got a blow job from a Catholic girl. Result!” He high fived his sister who burst out laughing.
I gripped the side of the kitchen counter to steady myself.
“I beg your pardon.” I looked at him. “I can’t believe you’ve done that.”
“I didn’t do anything Mum! She did it all on her own.”
“And YOU,” I turned to Bryony, “shouldn’t even know what that means never mind giving him a high five!”
“OMG Mum, we’re not five years old!”
“Was it good?” Bryony continued like I wasn’t there.
“What! OH MY GOD, go to your room!” I shouted at her, snatching the paintbrush from her hand.
“Well Bry, it’s like a pizza,” Brendon replied, “even if it’s a bad pizza, it’s still a pizza!”
“I hear ya bro!” Bryony laughed as she collected her art book and left the kitchen.
“You’re outrageous.” I said to Brendon as I stormed upstairs to my bedroom.
I lay on my bed and tried to remember what it was like to be fifteen to sixteen years old before I went into psychopathic parent. I needed to calm myself down a bit.
I clicked on my word game and located ‘The Voice’. He was now listed in the ‘Game Over’ category of my virtual board. Due to lack of play the game had automatically resigned. I felt like I’d lost my first cyber love. I’d never get to know who that mystery Californian was who’d won my heart with his words.
My phone rang as I stared at the lost game from across the pond. It was Colin. I could hear the noise of a car in the background.
“Soph… get ready I’m on my way to fetch you.”
“What? Why? Fetch me for what?” ARRR, I wasn’t ready to go anywhere.
“Your leaving do. Johnno’s arranged it as a surprise, you can’t let him down. Or me for that matter!”
“Aww that’s so sweet…that’s why he tried to stop me eating all those chocolates. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat anything…And I’m not prepared!” I panicked.
“Just get your shoes on, I’ll be there in ten. It’s nothing glam, just a few drinks and a pizza.”
I lay back on my pillow and laughed my head off.
“What’s so funny?” said Colin, laughing along at my outburst.
“Ah, nothing. I’m looking forward to it. After all, there’s no such thing as a bad pizza, right?”