Chapter 2 2

I debate hollering because did I really wanna deal with Charolette's wrath for being woken up so early? Screw it, I think. Almost done, Corey, I just have to finish rinsing my hair. The water had turned cold long ago. Are we doing this? Are you going to wake me up at the crack of dawn, Charolette asks? We do this at least twice a week. I rush to shut off the water and dry myself. As I'm getting dressed I hear a giggle. I walked into my room to dry my waist-length black hair only to be greeted by four sets of eyes that took away my breath.

You see my siblings and I all got our shades of hazel eyes. We all have different shades and patterns in our eyes, and it looks like my children received the gift as well. Hey Kat, we thought we would help you out and get the kids ready to go, Charolette says. Guys, I'm so sorry you are being woken up so early, so much, I say. No worries, I'm not that mad about it, and, plus, we did just get the kids ready for you, Charolette says. And face it, you don't ask for help enough, said Corey. They carry the kids down the stairs because a rule of somebody else carrying the kids was passed after I fell down the stairs carrying them. Nobody but me was injured. I thank everything good and positive in this world for that. I have to hurry. It's almost 6 and I still have to drop the kids off at daycare. It looked like a quick few eggs and a bottle of milk this morning. I rush around trying to get the kids' food ready and they fed so I can finish getting ready for work. Here, let us feed them and get them in their car seats so you can go and do your hair, says Corey. Oh thank you, thank you so much.

I run upstairs so I can do my hair up in a bun and get my shoes on. Fifteen minutes later, we were about to load the kids into the car. As we walked towards the car, I happened to look in the timber to see what looked to be a person. I looked at the other two, saying," Guys, did you see that? There was someone there, I told them. Charolette looked into the timber where I showed her to look and then looked back at me, and looked only to say, I didn't see anyone. Are you okay, she asks? I am fine, I said, looking back at the wooded area knowing full well I saw a person in there. We buckle the kids in and I climb into the driver's side and start the car, but she doesn't start. Damnit! What the hell is wrong with her now, I holler. I tried a few more times and tried one last time. She finally roars to life. Good great grant, I'm already ready for this day to be over. I looked into the rearview mirror to see two chubby hands reaching for the other. I back out of the driveway and make it halfway up the dirt road and my car sputters and whines, so I pull over as I do and she completely dies. Man! This is not my day. I turned the key and nothing. I looked for my phone, flipped it open, and realized I had no signal. Bad day bad day! I was about to cry and I tried one more time and this time she started right up. Thank goodness I screamed. Mommy, you stay, Holden asks? Yes baby I am just happy the car started. We finally make it to the sitters but I feel the hairs on my neck stand up as I step out of the car. That's it, Kat, you are being paranoid, I tell myself. I started to scan the cars around me. I was so focused that I didn't hear Tina the sitter call my name several times, so I jumped when she laid her hand on my shoulder.

Jeeze Kat, I thought you heard me calling your name. I'm sorry Tina. I'm just a bit jumpy today, is all I told her. Okay hun, let's get the kids out and into my apartment. We rushed the kids inside because it was entirely too cold outside. My nephew Max is there getting ready for school. I told her the kids haven't had much to eat this morning. As I'm walking to my car, I jump for the second time in 10 minutes when my phone begins to play Toxic By Britney Spears, that's my soon-to-be ex-husband's ringtone. What does he want? Yes, Dylan, I answered. " Not so high and mighty now are we, he asks?"What are you talking about Dylan? You can't even afford a car that runs! I sit in my car half-frozen, how? How did you know I was having car troubles, Dylan? It doesn't matter whore, just know I'm bringing this up in court. CLICK! No no no, I can't believe this is happening. He's going to end up with the kids. His threat of taking my babies is becoming a very real possibility.

-Flashback-

You had better run from me because if I catch you it will be worse for you. Where am I? No no no, it's Dylan. After a round of discipline, as he calls it he likes to take me to the wooded area of the park and taunt me. You are fat Kathleen! Nobody is ever going to love you. Since the twins were born it's like he doesn't care about getting into trouble because he hits me wherever he is now. Kathleen, you disgust me! He walked a few feet away from my hiding spot behind a tree. I got up to run and fell back on my knee. The pain in my side makes me see stars. I take a breath and hit the ground like a sack of potatoes out cold.

-End Flashback-