Chapter 2 Cookie Sample

Chapter 2

With the Callaghan Family

"Luke, I am going to the neighbors right quick. Make sure that you and Lu get in the shower and be in bed when I get back. Don't touch anything that is electrical until I get back understand," his dad yelled up the stairs.

"We understand. Come on Lucy bring your lunch to my room then after you eat shower first," Luke said and went to his room followed closely by his sister.

::: :::

With the Davidson's Household

"Are you finished with your extra math work and read a book to give to your father to check, Cody?" Madeline poked her head in Cody's room that he shared with his sister.

"Almost Momma," Cody said and continued his extra work.

Lekki was on the floor coloring and drawing another picture of her family minus her father.

They had a three bedroom house and two bathrooms. Her husband refused to give up his office so that Lekki could have her own room or for them to share a bigger room. When dinner was over like clockwork, Lester would go to the living and watch the news by himself. When the news was over he would then channel surf for an hour.

Madeline and her children would have to go to their room and not bother him. They weren't allowed in the living room with him unless it was a dire emergency and that was pushing it as well. After his hour of channel surfing he would get three beer cans from the refrigerator and go to his locked office. He would stay in there until he was ready to go to bed. The children were not allowed to knock on his door, come in the room or talk to him. They had to stay out of his way. Madeline saw her husband stretch and make his way to the kitchen for some beer. Then he grabbed three more cookies and walked to his office without saying anything to her.

Madeline just shook her head and walked back to the kitchen to wipe an invisible stain or something. She wished something would break up the monotony of her life she had unwillingly accepted.

Knock Knock Knock

Madeline tilted her head and checked the time. It was 8:30 at night and it was really rare to get visitors to her house. She walked to the front door after another set of knocks tapped on her front door. She smoothed out her hair and straighten her clothes. She didn't want to be an embarrassment to her husband.

"Can I help you?" she slowly opened the door and the most gorgeous male specimen was at her front door.

He had amber colored eyes, short and spiky black hair, a long sleeve black v-neck shirt that he had pushed up to his elbows, black relaxed fitted blue jeans and some black Timberlands.

Madeline just hoped that she didn't look like a prepubescent teen with raging hormones drooling. She then looked closer and recognized the man as her neighbor.

'Was he always this good looking,' Madeline thought to herself.

"Good evening, Mr. Callaghan . Would you like to come in?" Madeline asked trying to reign back her over active mind of this Adonis nude and serving her seedless grapes.

"Please call me Scott, Mrs. Davidson," Scott said and entered the spotless living room.

'Our kids are about the same age but you couldn't tell she had a 9 year old and a 5 year old. This house is spotless. I wonder what's her secret. Don't breathe or walk. Just sit?' Scott thought as she came to stand in front of him.

He sniffed the air and smelled sugar cookies and baking chocolate chip cookies.

"Smells nice in here. Sugar cookies, my favorite," Scott chuckled to himself.

"Oh, do you care to have one? Your children really love them especially Luke," Madeline said softly while leading Scott to her small kitchen.

She noticed that his kids ate everything she gave them like they haven't eaten in years. Scott sat down where her husband usually sat and Madeline came to him with two sugar and one chocolate chip cookies on a plate with a glass of cold milk. Scott moan softly because how chewy and gooey the chocolate chip cookie was. Unlike his, it usually took a couple of hits with the hammer to break the cookie apart to eat.

"What brand do you buy?" Scott asked after eating his second cookie.

"Brand? Oh, no I make mine from scratch. That is a family recipe from my grandmother. I wouldn't know how to make the store bought ones," Madeline giggled and brought him three more of the same combination.

'If I even wanted to buy cookies, I couldn't afford it, not with the measly $150 I am given to get groceries and stuff for the kids,' Madeline thought and excused herself from the dining room.

Scott didn't notice the change in Madeline's behavior, he was in cookie heaven.

'Too bad she is married. I would have proposed and married her by the end of this week if she was single. Lucky bastard,' Scott thought after he sadly popped in the last cookie.

"Other than sampling my cookies, was there something that you needed Mr.Callaghan?" Madeline asked trying not to giggle when she saw Scott pat his stomach.

'I wouldn't mind sampling her cookies. It's been a long time since I sampled a woman's cookies,' Scott thought and chuckled to himself.

"Huh? Oh, yes. Luke is turning nine next weekend and he asked your son to come. He doesn't have any friends other than Cody. Just learned that today and also that he is getting picked on by the other kids in their class. So I came to beg and hope that you would let Cody come. It will mean so much to Luke and me as well. Because he could have been like the other kids and talked about my son's inability to be on their level at school," Scott said trying not to get angry all over again.

"Are you serious! They are doing that to your son? I hope you talk to Mrs.Meddlesome because that is uncalled for! She called telling me that Cody has become talkative since he became friends with Luke in class. I have known Luke since he was in diapers and couldn't believe what she was saying. Wow that got me mad and Luke isn't even my son," Madeline chuckled trying to suppress her anger and not call the teacher back.

"At least I'm not the only one that feels that way. I was thinking of moving him to another school or classroom. I just like that school. It's close and the teachers, until this year, have been decent. I just don't know," Scott said trying his best not to look defeated.

He had so much on his plate of normal adult hassles. Like divorce, trying to date, parenting, working,cooking and sometimes cleaning. He enjoyed cooking and was happy that his kids enjoyed his food too. Also on his plate was that he is in the bidding to get three different contracts for his architecture firm to build three multi-million dollar buildings in the next six years. He thought his kids' life was pretty decent. They both went to two different private schools that was the best in the county. He thought they were safe and happy. Luke hardly complained and didn't seem any different. He just kept talking about how he finally had Cody in his class and how it was cool he got to see his friend everyday. They were able to walk home or ride the bus together. His son's grades weren't the best but he wasn't totally flunking out either. He had a conference time set up to meet with Lucy's teachers later next week that he hoped he wouldn't forget.

"You shouldn't do that. That would break the boys' heart. I'll talk to Angie and see what's the issue. She usually comes over to play bridge on Thursdays anyway. Just give her your consent and we can see what we can do to get Luke over this hump because it sounds like he is Dyslexic, which isn't the end of the world!" Madeline quickly added.

She knew parents didn't like bad omen labels placed on their child. Because to them there is nothing wrong with their child when it really is.

"So that's how Cody is doing it. He gets an advantage. Must be nice," Scott said shaking his head.

"Advantage? My son is doing well on his own merit. He doesn't even know his teacher is friends with me. If you don't believe me follow me," Madeline got out of her seat and lead the way down her short hallway.

She opened up the door to a room that was as big as a small walk-in closet. It had enough room for one person not two children with one twin size bed in the corner. There was a desk on one wall and a bookcase neatly organized and color coded on the shelves. The room had nothing on the floor that didn't deal with Lekki's coloring. The bed was military style made and the light was dim.

Madeline showed Scott, her son ,Cody, at his desk working on a workbook writing underneath a lamp light that illuminated the room. Scott turned his head and saw Lekki reading a book on the floor with a white puppy dog in her arm.

'Are these kids really nine and five? If we were at my house Luke would be on his gaming system. Lucy would be in her room playing with her dolls and drawing. Messy rooms and arguing from sun up to sundown. Still, isn't this a three bedroom house? Why are they sharing a room and then with one bed,' Scott thought to himself.

Madeline walked in the room and went to Lekki and told her to get ready for bed. Lekki shook her head, picked up her mess with her crayons, returned her book and saw Lucy's dad. She waved and gave him a hug. She quietly went to her dresser, grabbed her clothes, closed it back, and left the room never once complaining.

"May I see your workbook that you are finished with, Cody," Madeline asked while running her fingers through her son's short black hair.

Cody looked to his mom and turned his head and saw Luke's dad at the threshold. Cody blushed, because another parent was going to start comparing their child to him, he just knew it. He just hoped he wouldn't lose his only friend because there was no one left.

"Mom, please don't show Luke's dad my workbooks. Please, Mom," Cody whispered and pleaded to his mom.

"Cody it's ok, he doesn't believe me on something and I want to prove him wrong. Get ready for bed Pumpkin. Make sure to read a book to Lekki before you go to sleep," Madeline said after she kissed her son on the forehead.

Madeline walked out the door and handed Scott the workbook. Scott looked at the cover. Advanced 7th grade Math Workbook. Scott raised his eyebrows and then thumbed through the pages. Every page had writing and equations written neatly on the pages. He was very impressed. Scott was more at ease that his son picked the smartest kid in his class to be his friend and also maybe tutor him during class. He felt honored that Cody continued to help his son when he knew that Luke was different and not as academically advance as Cody clearly was.

"Your kid is really smart. Have you gotten him tested for his I.Q.? He may be a genius. What math is he on now?"Scott asked and handed Madeline back the workbook.

"10th grade geometry. He loves it. He has other subject workbooks. When I have enough money to splurge that's what he wants. Workbooks or something that deals with math and science. Lekki wants anything that deals with art," Madeline said while placing the workbook under her armpit.

"Oh yes. She is really good at drawing. I have some of her early works," Scott chuckled.

"Aw that's sweet,"Madeline said and giggled a bit.

"So have you thought about Luke's birthday party?" Scott slowly asked again.

"I'm-," Madeline began but was cut off when her name was yelled behind another door.

"Madeline! Who the fuck are you talking to? I told you and those brats multiple of times that when I am home there is absolutely no talking. It better be the t.v. and not another man in there," a Lester's voice shouted through the closed door.

Madeline was beyond embarrassed. Scott raised his eyebrow and felt himself being pushed to the kitchen away from the door. They made it to the kitchen and Madeline was trying not to cry from embarrassment.

"I'm sorry for that. He-he. I'm just sorry ok. Uhm, yeah Cody will come. I can watch the girls or we can all go,"Madeline said trying to wrap the visit up.

"I think that it would be cool that all of us go. Is everything alright with your husband?" Scott asked.

"We are fine. He's just tired you know," Madeline said putting some cookies in a tupperware container and handed it to him.

'Too tired for his amazing kids and wife. This lucky bastard is taking advantage of what he got,' Scott thought to himself.

"These are for Lucy and Luke. Please make sure they get some cookies as well," Madeline told Scott with a grin.

"Well I'm not going to make any promises but I will try. Anyway it is getting late. I left those two by themselves and I shudder to think what they are doing to each other. I guess I will see you next week," Scott said while walking to the front door.

Madeline followed him out the kitchen.

"Yeah, I guess it's going to be a date then. Good night,"Madeline chuckled and closed the door when she heard Scott chuckle.

Madeline locked the door, sighed, and turned around.

"So, you are fucking the next door neighbor then? I can barely trust you to be faithful at home? Where the fuck are you two going anyway?" her husband asked scaring Madeline because she didn't expect for him to be out of his office.

"Lester, what is wrong with you? It was just a joke. You know something that normal people do," Madeline said trying to get past her husband.

Lester slapped his wife across the face in response.

"Are you getting smart with me?" he yelled at her.

"Be quiet or the kids will hear you," Madeline whispered and cupped her face trying not to cry in pain as well.

"Where are you going with that man? Answer me!" Lester yelled and raising his hand to strike his wife again.

"He-he wanted to take Cody to Discovery Pizza for his son's birthday. I told him yes, Cody can go," Madeline said trying to keep her sob down.

"I told Cody that he couldn't. That's what makes me angry and why I have to take out my frustrations on you. You don't support me or listen to me," he said grabbing Madeline by the mouth.

Spit flying from his mouth onto her face.

"I know that man was judging me! I bet he was laughing it up. His house is bigger than mine, his car runs better than mine, he has a better job than me. I bet that he wants to fuck my wife and have my children call him daddy! Isn't that right Madeline !" Lester yelled and shoved Madeline down on the living room floor again.

"No-no! He was trying to do something nice for his son. It's his kid's birthday. What are you talking about?" Madeline yelled trying to get up from the floor.

Tears flowing freely from her eyes. Lester got down to the ground on his knees and pulled Madeline to his chest. She stiffened her body and closed her eyes, trying to calm her breathing. She smelt the beer on his skin and breath. He put his head on her top of hers and sniffed her hair hugging her tightly.

"Just don't leave me baby. I don't know how I would take it if you and the kids left me. I love you guys too much. I know it's been a little cold but work has had me busy. Just don't leave me, just don't leave me," Lester said kissing all over Madeline 's face.

He stood up and helped Madeline up. She stood still wiping her face from the tears. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. He used one of his hands to lift up her chin and kissed her on the lips. She hesitated for a moment and kissed him back. He lift her chin up again and looked into her light colored brown eyes.

"Stop making me so angry please. Also I've been meaning to talk to you about dinner. It was fair you could have done better. My chicken was 10 degrees too hot. You gotta do better. Also the labels in the restroom was out of alphabetical order. Your clothes are still too tight and sexy. I don't want to see your sagging fat and huge ass walking around. You use to be so fit when I met you. You know I love you because I want you to look better. I wouldn't love you if I wasn't honest," Lester said releasing Madeline from his hug.

"I-I-I better go and check on the kids," Madeline said leaving quickly because her feelings were hurt and her self confidence slowly deteriorating.

"Yeah, go tell the kids to go to bed and I better not hear a peep from them or I will get my belt on them. I owe Cody a few hits because his teacher called me and told me he got a 98 on his reading test and is talking in class. She said that his behavior has changed since the Callaghan kid was placed in her room. If he stop talking in class he could get 100s on his test. 98 is unacceptable," Lester said after he smack Madeline on the ass and while he headed towards their shared bedroom.

Madeline went to the kitchen to silently cried. She cleaned the dishes that Scott used and put the cookies in the green ceramic cookie jar shaped like an alligator. She wiped her face, swept the floor ,and mopped it...again. When she knew it was clean enough to eat off of it she turned the lights off and started her nightly routine. She made sure the house was secured and then head towards her children's bedroom. The two were already in bed sleep. She walked to their bed and pulled the covers over them. She kissed them both on the forehead gently enough not to wake them. She left the room and made sure the night light was on for them. She then went to her bedroom and Lester was already asleep. She quickly and quietly undressed in the closet. She looked in the mirror and saw her flaws that her husband loved to point out to her. She ran a hand over her scar where she had a C-Section for both of her babies.

The faint stretch marks from her pregnancy. She touched the extra fat around her hips that made her a size 8 and not a size 2 like when she first met Lester. She noticed that her thighs were a bit bigger than what they use to be.

She turned around and knew her butt and breast were bigger and fuller than when she was a high school student 10 years ago. She sighed and placed her dirty clothes in a hamper and then stepped into her tank top and shorts.

She cut the night stand light out and got in the covers slowly not to wake up Lester. She checked the clock to make sure it was set for her to get up at 5:45 in the morning so she could get her day started. It was already 1:39 am. She said a silent prayer and closed her eyes to sleep.