#lazy scribbles

I woke up to my soft alarm and rubbed my eyes softly. The empty space in the bed told me that Jerry was already up. Kelly, our four year old daughter, ran into the room at the sound of me moving around.

“Mommy! Daddy is making pancakes.” I picked her up, smiling as I give her a small kiss.

“I can smell them. They smell so yummy!” She squirmed for me to put her down and scurried out of the room. I shrugged on my house coat and follow her into the kitchen.

“Kelly, after you finish eating you go brush your teeth.” My toddler nodded and stuffed her mouth full of gooey pancake.

“Morning darling. Is your sister coming over For breakfast? I need to know if I should make more.” I laughed and shook my head.

“Nope. Her and Olivia are going shopping and on a date. It is their one year anniversary after all.” Jerry smacked his forehead and laughed.

“I completely forgot. I’ll call them later.” he put a plate in front of me and handed me the syrup.

“Thank you sweety.” Just as I’m about to eat, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it!” Kelly jumped down and ran to the door before I can stop her.

“Kelly!” I hear her greet someone as I run after her. I grabbed her arm and scolded her.

“Don’t do that! You never open the door like that.” I stood up to look at who was at the door.

“Um… Hi Jules.” standing in the doorway is someone I never wanted, nor expected, to see.

“Kelly, go in the kitchen.” She started to protest but I gave her a stern look. She skipped away and I folded my arms. “What the hell are you doing here.”

“I know you never wanted to see my face again but please, hear me out.” I opened my mouth to speak when I feel a hand on my back.

“Who’s this hun?” My husband stood close behind me.

“I’m Henry, Julia’s father.” He stuck his hand out but I stopped him.

“You lost that title years ago. Why are you here?” Henry gave me A pained look.

“I’m here to meet my grandbaby and maybe fix things.” I put my hand on the door and shook my head.

“No.” I flung it shut as hard as a could and turned. I was met by a confused look from my husband.

“I thought your dad was dead.” I laughed And shook my head.

While Kelly was getting ready for preschool I explained everything to Jerry. I told him how my father was a drunk until I was eight. He would bring his friends over and they would party. He treated my mother like a toy and me like a nuisance. I told him things I had kept secret from him, like how when I was six one of Henry’s ‘friends’ came to my room late at night. By the time Kelly needed me to do her hair and help her with her shoes I was crying.

“Mommy? Did that man at the door say something mean?” I shook my head and smiled.

“No honey I’m OK.” As I put her hair in pigtails I calmed down.

“Who was he mommy?” I frowned and turned her around.

“No one to us. If he comes near you again you go to a teacher.” She nodded and i hugged her. Smiling, I missed her cheek.

“Have everything rabbit?” Jerry handed me her backpack, which I helped her put on.

“Yes daddy, is mommy taking me to school?” I nodded and picked her up.

While driving Kelly to school I was on edge. All I could imagine was him trying to talk to her.

“Honey, I’m gonna call your teacher and tell her you’re sick. Would you like to spend the day with mommy and daddy at work?” I saw her nod vigorously, so I pulled over.

After calling the preschool, I took the exit to my work. I knew my students would be very good with Kelly and considering I was married to the Dean, I wasn’t worried. I arrived at the college fifteen minutes later and picked carried my now sleeping toddler to the office.

“Honey why isn’t she at school?” Jerry looked concerned when I walked into his office.

“I was too scared Henry would try to talk to her… I’m sorry.” I bit my lip and handed her off to him. He shook his head and smiled.

“I’m happy. Why don’t we go out for lunch all three of us?” I looked at the clock and saw I had eight minutes until my first class.

“That sounds great. I have to take her, class starts soon.” By then Kelly was waking up, so I let her walk while holding my hand. In my classroom I set her up at a desk with a colouring book and crayons.

As my students noisily filed into the classroom it took them a few seconds to notice the child. Just as I thought they were all very sweet and had no issue with Kelly being there.

Lunch time rolled around and Kelly and I took the long way to the office. When we hit the bike trail I let Kelly run ahead a few feet. She stopped at a crosswalk to wait and when I caught up I praised her.

“Your raising her well Julia.” I froze when I heard Henry’s voice next to me.

“What are you doing here Henry.” He winced at me calling him by his first name but I could care less.

“I want to reconcile , i want to make things right. ” The look on his desperate face made me laugh.

“You hurt us you have no right to talk to us.” I started to cross the street but he followed. On the other side I turned around to face him. “Stay away from my daughter and I.”