Chapter 8 DAY OF WORK

Vera's POV:

I blinked a few times, feeling the sun soak into my lids. I sat up, groaning and extending my sore back, to see Lisa and Lilly preparing breakfast.

Marisa crawled on top of me, and I groaned some more. "I'm not ready for the day."

"Fine. Then you don't have to eat Lisa's delicious quesadilla."

I turn my head in her direction. "Quesadilla, count me in."

We sat around the island, eating quesadillas. I look up to see Lisa feeding Marisa, who spits up the milk all the time. She sighs as she wipes Marisa's cheeks.

Lilly set her quesadilla down. "Today, we will go purchase a baby crib and a few items for Marisa."

Lisa lowered her head and set the bottle down. "I-I don't have any money."

"I have some in my savings," I announced before Lilly could respond. "We can use that."

"Didn't you say your workplace has childcare?" Lilly inquired.

"Yes!" I promptly replied. We can have them look after Marisa there during the day for free!" In the past, I didn't understand the appeal of free goods, but in the last year, I've finally learned why everyone gets so enthusiastic about it. Now I'm a sucker for anything that's free.

"And I'll get a chance to go get a job, for those hours," Lisa swiftly added. "Thank you." She thanked us again and smiled brightly at Marisa. "Do you see this baby girl?" Angels do really exist."

Lilly covers her face and lets out a stifled cry. "Please, let's not do this so early in the morning," I said as I turned away. "You can refer to us as Angels at supper."

Marisa beams at us before we all burst out laughing. Lilly's days are filled with classes, part-time jobs, and additional classes for the rest of the week. Marisa was under my care because I hadn't begun my internship yet, and Lisa was looking for work around town.

"You got hired...already?" I inquired, placing Marisa in the high chair.

"Yes, there is a grocery store that is looking for a part-time cashier. As a result, I applied. It's not much money, but it's something."

"What store is it?" Lilly inquired, as she practiced her dancing routine in the living room.

"Arrow."

"Oh, I worked there before," I remembered, recalling my seasonal shift. "They give out high discounts there for their employees so that we can shop there." Lisa got a high-five from me.

I cast a glance at Lilly, who was stretching her leg in the air. My lip twitches, thinking if it's legal for me to work extra hours on an internship. If I save enough money, I'll be able to assist Lilly in obtaining a proper dance studio. Looking at Lisa, I believe she had the same thought because she needed to express her gratitude.

Monday arrived soon, and it was my first day at work. I zip up my skirt and wipe it clean before attempting a smile on my face.

"Don't push it. "It will come naturally," Lilly sang as she reached for her dancing bag.

I strolled into the kitchen to find Lisa preparing breakfast, and everything was in perfect condition. I had no idea what to do next because I had gotten up early to help cook and clean. I'm curious how Lisa does all of this without making a single sound. "How did we not hear you?" Lilly inquires, taking a plate of eggs.

Lisa paused feeding Marisa and smiled grimly at us. "My ex doesn't like too much noise in the morning," she told us.

We agree to end the talk there.

Before closing the fridge, I open it to get some fruit juice. "Hey, you got a dance performance at the end of this month."

Lilly sighs, "Yeah, just a little one." It's not a huge deal." She brushes it off, but we can still see her smile.

"Oh, then we won't go." I said as Lisa chuckles slowly before shaking her head and returning her whole attention to Marisa.

"Okay. "I don't expect to see you there with flowers--" she scoops a mouthful of eggs and ham, –"and cake pops."

Lisa and I couldn't keep it together. "We will not be there." She smiles broadly. Despite only being here for a week, she fits right in.

I pour the juice into the cup and take a dish off the table. I sit down after settling myself on the island and tickle Marisa's cheek. "Do you think it's okay if you bring Marisa to work and use their daycare despite her not being your daughter?" Lisa inquired.

"Did they ask for her name?" Lilly asked, picking a warm loaf of bread and smearing butter on top.

"Well...I can always tell them she is my niece." I ate the eggs and ham while singing softly in ecstasy.

Lilly turns to face Marisa. "She's white."

"This is the twenty-first century. "She can be any color she wants," I remarked, tossing a spoon in the air. "I'll tell them she is my distant niece."

"How is that supposed to work?"

I swallow the eggs, the oil on the corner of my mouth. "She is...my fourth adopted brother's daughter." I grin, "Yeah, that sounds like a believable story."

Lilly rests her chin on her palm. "And why is your fourth adopted brother daughter under your care?"

"My fourth adopted brother cheated on this cancer-stricken woman. She died not shortly after Marisa was born. My fourth adopted brother became depressed when she died and decided to-" I swiped my hand across my neck, "go upstate with my sister-in-law,"

Lilly spoon drop. "That is quite the story."

I waved my hand in the air, signaling her I wasn't done yet. "Because he's only my fourth adopted brother, the other three decide not to look after his daughter." Despite being a young hurting youngster, I decided to take her under my wings because I'm so holy like an angel." I complete the story and pat myself on the back.

Lisa wipes her tears. "Poor Marisa, she has such a sad family history." She is an inspiration to her daughter. "You're so kind."

I smiled, "I know."

"Are you kidding me?" That's the story you're telling?"

"I'll make it up while they ask me questions," I shrug. "They might not care, for all we know."

Lilly takes a long, deep breath. "I got to practice today after class, so I can't go baby shopping this time." Apparently a baby needs a lot of diapers and other requirements.

"It's fine. You guys don't have to accompany me every time we go baby shopping. "I will go after my shift," Lisa replied.

"Doesn't your shift end at 11?" I furrowed my brow, forcing her to hang low. She definitely didn't expect us to remember her daily work routine, but we do. In addition, we keep all of our weekly schedules on the fridge. "I'll go after work."

"Oh, n-"

"It's all right. I need to get some cleaning supplies. Make a list of what Marisa needs."

Lisa smiled widely. "Thank you."

"Stop that," Lilly exclaimed.

"Stop what?"

"Always thanking us. You can silently thank us by assisting us in paying our debts."

She smiles broadly before letting out a quiet chortle. "Definitely."

Lisa and I stroll together to the bus stop after breakfast. "Listen to Vera, okay?" she says to Marisa, and I give her a blank stare. Lisa kisses her cheeks before fiercely holding her.

"I love you."

"Don't be concerned. "I'll look after Marisa," I responded as she hesitantly handed Marisa over to me. I placed her in the stroller before removing the wheels from the bus stairs.

"Milk is in the bag, and if she-"

"I've been taking care of her for 125 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds," I say to Lisa. "I've got this." I chose a number at random for her. "Now go," I tell her.

Lisa smiled and kissed Marisa again before exiting the bus. I paid the bus fare and found us a vacant seat. "Heard Lisa and Marisa are living with you and your roommate now?" Bob stated. He'd never met Lilly because she took a different bus.

"Yeah," I said, looking out the window to see Lisa waving at us. Because I didn't want to move Marisa, I informed her, "Marisa is my baby now!" She burst out laughing.

We start going along the road as the wheels screech. While I was playing with Marisa, Bob looked in the rearview mirror. "It's nice to see humanity still cares."

"Lots of people would do the same thing."

He comes to a halt, enabling additional passengers to board. I saw a few individuals resting beneath the bus stop. "You know that's not true," Bob replied as he shut the door behind him.

Marisa's single strand of hair fell out, and I tucked it back in. "Humans are not shaped to perfection."

He lets out a deep exhale. "Just be careful."

"What do you mean?"

His hazel eyes are drawn back to the reflection. "Sweet young girls like you and your roommate tend to get taken advantage of by the...flawed."