Chapter 3 My Family

THREE STRANGE WORDS

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CHAPTER THREE

Vegetables check✔

milk check✔

Mayonnaise check✔

Eggs check✔

peanut butter check✔

"Astral check" Kristen said as she pulled the note from my hands.

I was making a list of things that have been deposited in the shop so I can give it to my boss and here she was mocking me.

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. "give me the note back Kristen," I said, both hands on my hips.

"you really don't wanna take a break. you've been working for hours now. you're not gonna make all the money in the world by stressing yourself out like this" she asked feeling concerned.

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"I know but I'll try"

she gave the note back to me

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"I'm serious Astral. you know that After this, you still have your shift at the restaurant."

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"I'm fine trust me. I'm healthy and strong aren't i" I smiled

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"yeah you are but I'm only looking out for you. you don't even have time for yourself anymore. I mean even Cinderella rests for a minute or two" she rolled her eyes. I raised a brow at her and shook my head smiling

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"Yeah, Cinderella's got prince Charming. do you see Astral getting any prince before we talk of charming"

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"Just imagine. you could be Cinderella and your prince could be on his way. you'll never know. you might meet him in an unexpected place and fall in love" she said. I looked at her and she winked at me.

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"I've told you to stop daydreaming about silly things Kristen" I moved to the next stall.

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"I'll never stop dreaming hun. it's part of life" she said sitting down on one of the chairs

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"OK go on but I'm a suck-up for Cinderella." I arranged more foodstuff on the shelves.

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"But how do you handle all of this and still not get tired. I'd be a total mess by now if I were you"

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"I'm determined to make things work out Kristen. trust me it's harder than it looks. here let's eat" I took two packets of sausage rolls and milk

"don't worry it is on me" I smiled. I noticed the disapproval on her face.

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"Thanks dear," she said. I sat down next to her and opened my milk.

"one day I'll sit down in a rich restaurant and order many of these".

" and I'll be right next to you ready to eat them " we giggled

"you know being poor sometimes is a good thing," I said and she threw me a stare.

"how? care to explain"

"I mean we don't wear good clothes and eat good food but we're happy by every slightest thing unlike being rich and having problems" I took a bite out of the sausage roll.

"but imagine all the things you could do if you had money. you buy a house, have good food, wear good clothes and also help out with the orphanage. that's your dream right" she said and I smiled. now I know I have a dream.

"Cheers to all the money in the future" she chuckled raising her packet of milk. we hit each other playfully and laughed.

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My shift finally ended and I went to work at the restaurant. After much shouting and yelling by customers for food and running here and there for orders. finally it was 6:30 pm. I ordered some leftover burgers for the kids in the orphanage. well they're not leftovers but just untouched food by some of my customers so I wrapped it up.

I was paid half my salary from ma'am Collette. Even though I told her it wasn't enough, she refused to complete it. Although I was the best waiter in her restaurant and customers have been drooling around the restaurant Because of me and because of that she makes hundred times my salary but she just chose to be wicked.

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. I took my payment and left the restaurant. Kristen works across my shop in a chocolate shop and we closed at the same time. I waited for her and she came out when she was done.

"we're finally done for the day" she stretched her arms. I didn't respond. I was feeling down with what ma'am Collette did.

she gave me a playful shove on the arm.

"what's the wrong girl?"

"ma'am Collette didn't complete my payment."

"Why did she do that?"

"I don't know. probably wants to show that she's the boss and I'm the maid"

"sorry girl"

"it's alright. so hope you got your pay"

"yeah, I did. I just stepmom doesn't steal all of it. that wretched old hag" she said and we laughed.

I arrived at the orphanage before Kristen left for home. her house is just some meters far from mine. after bidding her farewell, I got inside the orphanage.

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. I went to my room and undressed from my uniform. I washed both mine and Kristen's as well. after I hanged them on the line, I went in to have my shower.

After having my bath, I came out and wore my clothes. I don't apply lotion cause I can't afford it but I had glowing skin that one wouldn't notice.

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. I wore a pair of short blue faded jeans and a singlet. then tied my hair in q messy bun.

I went to sit down outside on the grass when Mother Claire walked up to me.

"wow, the child you're back. how was it?"

"it was fine so how is Josh?"

"he's gone already. the new family couldn't wait to take him home"

"no wonder this place is quiet. Josh wouldn't do something silly by now" I felt the tears build up "I can't believe he's gone"

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"don't feel sad. we all know that one day everyone would go including Lizzy and Lisa" my eyes flew open at the mention of their names. I have formed such a bond that It would crush me if they left.

"do they have to?"

"Somehow if the right family comes for them. they're good kids"

I hang my head in sadness.

"you know what I do when I miss someone that may never come back?" she asked and I nodded no.

"I surround myself with the people I love around me. Josh may be gone but you still have a family. make every minute count" she said and I smiled. she kissed my hair and just then They all ran to me.

"Astral....!!!! " they yelled as they hugged me

"I've missed you little nuggets so much" I kissed their hair

"so what did you get for us?" Eden asked

"well... " I took a pause and stared at their excited faces. "I got you burgers and fries"

"Yay... hurray" they all chorused. they sat down on the grass with me and I brought the bag containing the burgers and gave each of them.

"thanks, Astral"

"we'll always be good kids so that we'll get lots of these" she giggled.

"very good" I smiled

"so are we going to the fare this Saturday?" Lisa asked

"as promised" I responded and they giggled

"come on Astral, tell us a story about what happened today" Lizzy requested and before I knew it they all gathered on the grass. Mom Claire smiled and walked inside.

"OK my story is Goldilocks y Los tres osos (Goldilocks and the three bears) I said in Spanish and they nodded.

" Erase Una Vez (once upon a time...)" I continued and they all listened attentively...

Mom Claire was right, even though it's only a short time before I say goodbye to these faces, they're my family, the people I love..... so I'm never alone.....