chaptersix
Amber
I will not cry.
This is a minor setback, that’s all. He doesn’t want that woman in there. Or her smelly casserole.
I stomp through the grass and head to the swing that hangs between two large oak trees. It’s one of my favorite spots on the property. I’m halfway through mentally reciting granny’s recipe for chicken pot pie when a boy appears.
He gives me that look. You know the one. I don’t know if boys are just inherently born knowing how to give that look, or if they’re taught how to do it at some point. But he’s leering at me like he’s ready to rock my world.
I roll my eyes.
“Hey baby, whatcha doing out here alone?”
“Trying to get some quiet time. Thus the alone part.”
“Don’t be like that, we could have some fun while our parental units are doing whatever they’re doing inside.”
So this is Eileen’s spawn. How perfect. “Quinn isnotmy father.”
He falls onto the swing next to me and then he becomes some thin armed, pubescent octopus. He’s trying to wrap around me or something. One of his hands gropes at my breasts.
“Get your hands off me, you little creep,” I yell.
“Come on, baby, I’ll make you feel good.”
“Yeah, right.” I manage to get one of my arms loose and then I’m able to launch it upwards into his face. I knock him straight on the bridge of his nose and I hear the crunch. Feel it too in the way that my knuckles abrade against his skin.
“You damn bitch, you broke my nose,” he howls. He’s got both hands covering his face now. Blood oozes from between his fingers.
“Maybe that will teach you keep your hands to yourself until you’re given permission,” I tell him, wrapping my arms around my chest.
“Mommy!” the teenager yells.
There’s a commotion at the front door, and then Eileen and Quinn come racing out. As soon as Eileen sees her son’s bloody face she screams.
“What happened?”
“That mean lady punched me,” he says on a sob.
I roll my eyes again. “Oh please. Your son needs to learn to keep his hands to himself and not just reach over to cop a feel whenever the mood strikes him.”
“Well, look at how you’re dressed. If that’s not teasing him, I don’t know what is,” Eileen says.
I open and close my mouth several times before I stomp off. Whatever. And Quinn just stood there and did nothing.
Me: colossal failure. I dressed like a ho and we kissed.
Me: there was even some first base action & it was amazing.
Birdie: then how did things fail?
Me: saved by the bell
Me: the doorbell. Stupid Eileen showed up with a nasty smelling casserole & Quinn shut things down.
Birdie: I hate that woman