14 Days

The day I fell in love with my boss had been a normal Monday morning. I had been on my way to a job interview and was almost out of time. After being out a a job for so long, I wondered if I still knew how to be a secretary. I had been working as a secretary in a small publishing company until I hit the roughest patch in life. By the time I got back to work, not so long after, the company went bankrupt and was bought by a new one which let go of the old workers. I was unable to get a job of that calibre again and did different odd jobs just to make ends meet.

I waited tables, I worked at a grocery store and even walked dogs.

I went from one job interview tomorrow another to no avail. I just about gave up on ever using my degree again when I came across an ad on a job website. I knew the name of the company because there is no way you'd work in a publishing company and not hear of HarperRussell Books... and also because that was the company that bought my old company. HarperRussell Books is actually one of the subsidiaries of the HarperRussell company chain. They were also involved in pharmaceuticals, technological production, food production, and even made my favorite cereal. So when I saw that ad, I didn't even care what the position was. Within me, I concluded that even if it was a cleaning job, I'd take it because I knew it would pay better than all the jobs I did combined.

I was insanely happy when I clicked on the link which redirected me to their official website and found out that the job was not for a cleaning job but a secretary. I quickly applied and crossed my fingers with the hope that I'd get a response and an invite to the interview. After a week of getting no response, I lost hope of ever getting a response until that bright Friday evening. I was taking out the trash after work when my phone vibrated. I sighed and wiped my hands on my jeans before pulling it out of my pocket. I mindlessly went through the phone in order to check the source of the notification.

I began yawning until I saw HarperRussell Books and it cut the yawn short and my fingers trembled with trepidation. I didn't have much hope but I feared being rejected because I really really needed that job and it was my last hope.

Subject: Invitation to Interview

Dear Iyanna Garvey,

As a result of your application for the position of a Secretary, I would like to invite you to attend an interview on June 30, at 9 AM at our office in Quincy, MA.

You will have an interview with the department manager, Edie Wilson and myself. The interview will last about 30 minutes. Please bring three references as well as a copy of your driver's license (if any) to the interview.

If the date or time of the interview is inconvenient, please contact me by phone (***-***-****) or email (mikey@harperrussell.com) to arrange another appointment. We look forward to seeing you.

Best regards,

Micheal Banks

_______

Micheal Banks

Administrative Director

HarperRussell

101 Earth Street

Quincy, MA 02169

***-***-***

mikey@harperrussell.com

I dropped my phone and pressed my fist against my mouth to prevent myself from screaming like I wanted to. I smiled so hard my cheeks began hurting. I knew it was just an interview and not that I'd gotten the job but the fact that they invited me for an interview was enough reason to bring tears to my eyes. Out of probably hundreds, I was one of those invited for the interview. I picked my phone back up and was happy to find out the screen wasn't broken or anything. I quickly sent a reply.

I dialled my mom's number immediately I sent the reply. "Mom I got invited to the job interview!!" I whisper screamed because I was still at work and didn't want anyone knowing that I applied for work in a big shot company while waiting tables just in case I ended up not getting the job. I shook my head and mentally slapped myself.

'Stop it Iyana. Don't be pessimistic right now.' I said to myself and smiled when I heard my mother scream from the other end of the phone. "Oh my God. That's a great news baby. I know it doesn't mean you've gotten the job yet but it's such a big step in the right direction. Yes!"

"I just saw my boss walking out the back for a smoke. Don't want to be called a slacker. Kiss my baby for me. See you when I get back. Love you!" and at that, I disconnected just as my boss screamed my name as I expected.

"Iyana why the fuck are you slacking on the job?" I was not a slacker but he was my boss, so his words were always right.

"Sorry Sir. Just taking out the trash." and at that, I slipped back into the kitchen just as he lit a cigarette.

'God please let me get that job.'

*****

I hurried down the pedestrian walkway as fast as I could with the hope that I'd be in the office for the interview at least 30 minutes before 9am. Everyone was in a hurry. It was rush-hour at 8:23am as people still hurried off to their different places of work. I lost focus when I looked down to adjust my watch in order to check the time only to run into the guy before me.

"Watch it Lady." he snapped and I quickly apologized. He stepped around something like everyone else did and I looked down to know why and saw a husky puppy whimpering probably from being kicked a number of times. Her eyes were beautiful. One was blue and the other brown. I honestly don't know why I concluded she was female. It was probably a dog walker thing.....no it wasn't. I was just guessing.

"Ohhh. You poor thing." I muttered without thinking as I bent down to pet it before picking it up when she nuzzled my palm.

'Yes Iyana. Pick up every strange dog you see by the road why don't you?' My mind said to me and I realized I had actually just picked up a strange dog 30 minutes before my job interview.

'Stupid Stupid Stupid little girl. This is why bad things happen to you. Because you're a stupid little girl' a mocking voice whispered in my head and I shook it away and focused on what I had on my hands at that moment.

'She has a leash on, that means she has an owner.' I thought before reaching to check the collar around her neck with the hope of finding details of her owner.

"A-ha!" I said out loud when I saw the inscription on her collar. 'I'm Bubbles. In case you ever find me without my hooman, call ***-***-****.'

I dialled the number real fast as I walked down towards the coffee shop not far from the HarperRussell office complex.

"Yes?!" a guy snapped. He sounded out of breath, like he was running. Everyone was just snapping like no man's business that morning.

"Good morning. I found Bubbles."

"Oh my God. Thank God. Where are you? I've been looking for her."

"A coffee shop not far from Earth Street. Don't know if you know the HarperRussell..."

"Yes. I'll be there soon." he cut me off before disconnecting. I checked the time again. 8:37am. The puppy in my arms closed her beautiful eyes and I hoped against all hopes that I wouldn't smell like a dog when I got to the office for the interview.

'When? Don't you mean if you get to the interview. You picked up a dog!

I had to help! God knows how many persons already kicked her instead of helping. I argued back.

You don't help everything you see on the road. It's just a dog.

Maybe if we helped each other this much in the world, it will be a better place. Every little thing counts.'

And just then, I looked up and saw a man wearing joggers, a sweatshirt and sneakers. When he saw Bubbles, he hurried up and I checked the time again. 8:42am. When he got closer, I stroked Bubbles and she opened her eyes and yawned. She barked when she saw her human and all but leapt out of my arms and ran towards the man with a bark and I felt goosebumps rise on my skin when he laughed as he caught her.

I pulled out my hanky to brush off the fur on my jacket and looked up when he said hi. His skin looked so fair and baby smooth and he was taller than me but his most striking feature were his eyes. One blue, one hazel. Just like his dog. Beautiful. He was beautiful. Tall, skinny, really adorable freckles on his nose and beautiful black locks you'd be tempted to run your fingers through.

"Hello. Good morning."

"Good morning. Thank you for calling me. I had to go in to get a bagel from that other coffee shop." he pointed towards the place he came from."but they have a no pets allowed thing going on. So I had to leave her out. I didn't expect her to walk this far. Thank you once again."

I nodded and my eyes flicked to my watch again. 8:50am. "Oh my God. Excuse me. It was nice meeting you. Bye Bubbles."

"Thank you!" he called out and I waved and practically ran to the office. I made it just in time but I was the last to arrive. I was lucky to have the opportunity to cool down in the elevator and so when I sat down, I didn't pant so much.

'So out of shape. Sheesh.' I thought as I sat down. At least I wasn't sweating.

They ended up not starting by 9am and they apologized. Apparently the boss wanted to be present during the interview but was a bit late. I closed my eyes and waited for my turn and prepared myself for whatever questions they'd ask even though I knew it wasn't really necessary as the questions could be very unpredictable.

"You may go in now." I was told and I went in and my eyes bulged out when I saw familiar heterochromic eyes, only this time he was putting on a well cut blue suit and he definitely wasn't smiling as he had been when he saw Bubbles. It felt like the longest thirty minutes of my life. Finally, it was over. I answered the questions as much as I could and when I stood to leave, he stopped me.

"Well it's good to have a name for the nice person. I believe you have made a friend for life because I think Bubbles is in love with you." he said with a smile as the other man relaxed a bit.

"Thank you Mr Banks. Bubbles is a good girl."

"Oh I'm not Mr Banks. He's Mr Banks." he said as he pointed at the other man that relaxed earlier on and was going through the contents of a file. I ohh-ed. If he wasn't Mr Banks who was he? Part of the interviewing team I believe. Probably Mr Wilson.

"I apologize. I thought you sent the email." I replied and nodded towards the desk name plate that had Micheal Banks. Administrative Director engraved on it.

"That is understandable. Well, it is nice meeting you again Bubbles' saviour. I'm Leo Harper. This isn't my department, it's Mikey's over here but because my secretary is almost like my PA, I decided to partake in today's interview to ensure that I'm satisfied with whoever will end up getting the position. When can you start?"

I frowned in confusion I didn't get him. "I am sorry. I don't understand. When can I start what?"

"You got the job."

"What?" I gasped not just at the fact that he said I got the job but also because it finally sank in that he said he was Leo Harper. He had to be kidding. Harper? Leo Harper? As in HarperRussell's Harper? What the fuck?! Small world.

"Yes."

"Just like that?"

"I like the fact that you had enough empathy to call the owner of a puppy and wait for the owner to pick her up. But I had to know if you were efficient because business is business and you can't run it well with just empathy. You seem efficient. I like that. I like you Miss Iyana. I'll make sure to bring Bubbles next time." he replied with a smile as he stood up and put out his hand for a handshake. I looked at the contrast of my brown skin against his fair one.

'My Heart. A smile has never looked so good. Well Iyana. You got the job and you have a tiny puppy love crush on your boss. Atta girl.' I thought sarcastically while returning his small smile as he shook my hand. I knew I was in for a ride.

I snapped out of my daydreams when the phone on my table rang. Automatically reaching up to smoothen my hair, I cleared my throat and composed myself before picking up.

"Sir?"

"Iyana, can you come in here with my schedule?" he said over the phone and I felt my heartbeat speed up as it usually does whenever I hear him talk. Girl, you will have a heart attack one of these days if you are not careful one of these days.

"No problem Sir." I replied before disconnecting. Quickly getting the schedule he requested, I made my way to his office. Immediately I opened the door to his office, his scent, that scent that is uniquely his in the universe washed all over me. I have had a hopeless crush on my boss since I started working here but I know I'm not his type of girl. I have seen the girls that troop in and out of his office and we're definitely different. They're blond, I'm not. I have the usual African thick black hair. They're tall and model slim, I'm average and not slim. I'm big, I'm bold, I'm large, I'm fat, whichever word works for you. The list goes on. Even if I wasn't all those things, he has a strict rule about coworkers being in a relationship. It was a no no.

You're not coworkers. He's literally your employer. He pays your salary. You work for him not exactly with him... My mind supplied and I nodded. True. Not coworkers but still work in the same complex. So hello 4 years of unrequited love.

I am ashamed of myself. Who pins after a guy for 4 good years after getting out of a shittrap in life? You'd think I'd be grateful and stay away from the male folks but nooooo. I just went ahead and liked the man with eyes as unique as his dog just because his dog loved him. Nice. Well liking him hadn't really been difficult because let's face it. Leo Harper is an amazing person. He's friendly and so nice and his employees thought he was the best boss ever. I thought so too. And his perfect gentleman personality was one of the things that got the female employees going to the point that they wanted to fall into his bed with their legs wide open because If he's such a gentle man like this, imagine how good a lover he'd be. He seems like the sort of man tat will take his time and explore your body and pay so much attention to your pleasures that you'd probably die from cumming so hard. Their words and not mine. He had a fan club he didn't know of.

Wow. Thank you for putting that image in my head ladies. I thought that day as I sat in that bathroom stall and waited for them to leave. I wasn't exactly looking forward to sleeping with a man anytime soon but those women put an image in my head and I couldn't stop wondering what it'd be like to have a nonselfish lover, to have someone that will pay attention to your pleasures and not just his.

I shook my head to clear the images that began playing out in my mind.

"Sir you have a meeting with the managing director of..." I was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing. He nodded towards a seat for me to sit down as he took the call. "Hey Danica."

I settled into a seat and tried not to listen because it was not my business at all. I had no business listening to his phone call. I looked around the room and then at him. It was a video call actually and he looked too damn happy. The sort of smile you give to that special person and not everyone.

"Say hi to Bubbles." I heard the Danica person say. She sounded sweet. Bubbles barked a number of times and he laughed before saying hey girl. Hope you've been good around the cats."

"She's scared of Blinky." Danica called out.

"Everyone's scared of Blinky. Keith is Blinky's bitch. She is bossy as hell....and she's mean too."

"She's not mean. She just likes having her way. By the way your Shiba Inu is ready to go home." Danica replied and I shifted in my seat. I didn't know he was getting another dog. I think dog lovers are amazing.

"Ohhh. That's awesome. Is Bubbles used to her now?"

"It took a while but yes."

"Thank Goodness."

"Thank you for adopting Peaches Leo. I know I try to make the shelter as cool and homey as possible but she did need a home and you're so sweet for taking her in."

"Chill Danica. She is too beautiful for a shelter. And Bubbles needs a partner. I am too old to keep up with her energy all the time." he said as he rubbed his chest playfully. He wasn't that old. 33 isn't old.

I flipped through the diary I had in my hands and doodled on the last page. "Be good Bubbles. I'll pick you up and take you home soon." I heard him call out and some howls and some byes and some meows in the background, there was silence indicating that he was done. I looked up and saw him using his phone. Then he looked at me.

"Sorry about that. Bubbles has been away for a while. Has to get used to her new buddy." he said and I smiled politely. He is friendly but I didn't know how to be that friendly without crossing the professional line. So I just remained professional. He had told me a number of times to loosen up but I didn't know how to.

"She's a good girl." I replied dumbly and he laughed and I felt my head swell with embarrassment. I always said that. For 4 years now all I did was do my work well and say that Bubbles is a good girl.

"So about that schedule, cancel my meetings for Friday.... That's tomorrow right?"

"Yes Sir."

"Yes. Cancel them and reschedule. Also, call the flower shop and send flowers to this address with this message. I may need you to work overtime today."

"Okay Sir." I replied while making a mental note to call my family.

"That will be all for now." he said with a nod before going back to whatever he was doing on his laptop and I left.

The note read "Happy birthday to a very beautiful woman. I love you to the moon and back and will forever cherish you❤"

I swallowed. It isn't like he knew. Even if he knew, it isn't like he cares. Iyana, you are officially stupid.

Leo's POV

Turning off the ignition right in front of Keith's house, I reached behind the seat for the bag that had the coloring books and crayons I promised Rayne I'd get for her, I made my way to the door. It was 6:23pm and I was glad I ended up not staying as late as I thought I would have to. I smiled a little when I remembered the look of relief that passed my secretary's face when I told her she could leave by 6pm. Iyana is a good secretary. She works very well and she has a good heart. The only problem is the fact that she's too professional. 4 years down the line she still acted like it was her second day at work. Well, it is good for some people. I found it a bit disconcerting because how can you not relax around someone after 4 years of him telling you to do so? So weird.

I knocked on the door and waited for someone to open the door. I used to walk in like I owned the place like 2 years after they got married because the place wasn't a home then and you hardly ever found Danica around the place until the day I walked in on Keith with his head buried between her legs after they already had their twins before little Rayne came along. Danica couldn't and didn't look at me for a month. From that day on, I learnt the art of knocking before entering the James household. I didn't need to see that.

I could hear Bubbles howl in there and then there was a whimper and scratches on the door and more howling. "Stop scratching the door Bubbles. Bad Bubbles. Bad!" I heard Danica say behind the door and Bubbles whimpered and the scratching stopped. Danica was Bubbles vet and Bubbles loved her so much more than she loved me because she always gave her treats and stuff after every visit to the vet and whenever they came visiting and whenever I dropped her off with them.

Immediately the door was opened, first thing I felt were paws on my chest and dog breath in my face as she barked and huffed in my face. I did laugh out loud when I leaned in for one of her sloppy licks. Two actually since she licked my licks. Bubbles had refused to learn the lesson of staying away from my lips. Okay four because I missed her too. "Hi Bubbles." I pushed the bag of crayons and coloring books into her arms and moved to pet Bubbles.

"She missed you." Danica supplied from where she was picking up dog toys and putting them in Bubbles' bag.

"Of course she did. I am her amazing human."

"You are amazing quite alright." she replied with a laugh and I finally pushed Bubbles away to look around. 'Where's the gang?"

"With my dad. Keith isn't back yet. He said he will be a bit late today."

I ahh-ed and okay-ed and followed her when she walked began walking away and made the follow me gesture. This woman has haunted my dreams for so long it was now a norm but she had no idea. Keith had no idea I still liked his wife as much as I did. I never told anyone the extent of how I felt about her because I had no business wanting my best friend's wife in that way. It was disgusting. I was disgusting but there was no helping how I felt.

She's nice, she's beautiful, she's homely, she loves animals, she's hot, she's so many things I want in a woman and more. So I was mad that Keith took this beautiful woman for granted at some point. Good thing he grew some brains along the line. Her next words broke my thoughts.

"Hi Peaches. Say hi to your hooman. You own him. He belongs to you. If you want to eat by 3am, wake him up. He's so sweet he won't say no." she said to the Inu Shiba that wasn't as big as Bubbles but wasn't a puppy either. She looks like a fox. Pretty.

"Hey Peaches." I said to the dog that was a bit reluctant to come closer. When I reached forward to pet her fur, Bubbles began snarling behind me and Peaches withdrew completely. .

"Sit Bubbles. Be nice." I said and she whined before sitting. It took a total of 5 minutes before Peaches finally sniffed my palm. "Who's a good girl? Peaches is." Bubbles whined. "Bubbles is also a good girl."

Danica laughed and left us to it. Peaches is a beautiful dog and I felt better knowing that his owner died and not that she was abandoned and abused. I heard the entrance door open and close and footsteps that sounded like Keith's and the Danica shrieked and laughed for whatever reason. That was obviously my cue to leave. I didn't want to see anything X-rated. Keith and I were flatmates in college, so I wasn't a stranger to his romps and stuff like that. However, the difference between then and now is that we were in college then but older now, those were just causal but this time he was fully committed to his wife and I wasn't interested in any of the girls from back then but I liked Danica. It felt like I was invading their privacy, so I quickly attached the leash to their respective collars and they came along willingly, Bubbles as active as ever pulling me faster than I wanted to walk.

Keith let go of Danica when my girls and I entered the sitting room and she disappeared into the kitchen to finish up what she was doing. I could smell dinner in the air and my stomach growled.

"Leo what's up?" he said with a grin when he put out his hand for a handshake.

"Where has that hand been?" I asked mockingly.

"Your ass. Sniff it." he replied with a bigger grin before pulling me into a bro hug and I laughed. Keith was amazing when he wasn't being a douchebag.

"Came to pick me up my ladies. Bubbles been gone for too long."

"Tsk tsk Lenny boy.You need to get laid."

"My sex life is fine, thank you very much." It really wasn't fine. It was dead but he didn't need to know that. No one did. He laughed and opened his mouth to say something but ewe cut short when Danica spoke.

"Have you had dinner Leo? We're going vegan tonight." Danica called out from the kitchen she disappeared into when I came out and Keith groaned. He hates vegetables. I chuckled at his misery. I had to go.

"No thank you! Supposed to have dinner with my mum. Today's her birthday."

"Shit. I forgot." Keith grumbled as he fished his phone out of his pocket probably to call my mum.

"She will have your head on a platter regardless of her love for you. See ya in the after life. RIP. Peace. I'm out. Bye Nica! Thank you for Peaches over here and for taking care of Bubbles. Have to run." and with that, I left.

It's funny how well Keith was taking the family way of life. I was known as the family guy back then and Keith was the manwhore and was proud of it. He planned on settling down at age 40 or 45 and I was the 29 or 30 guy. Funny how he was living the life they thought would be my life. I was genuinely happy for him even though deep down, I envied his life.

Well, life is unpredictable and sucks at the same time.

Iyana's POV

I let out a sigh as I unlocked the door and toed off my shoes at the entrance.

"Tadaima!!!" I shouted from the door as I made my way in. My animes were paying off I thought as I smiled at myself. Thundering footsteps met my ears and a blur of curls shot into my arms with a scream.

"Mommy!" my 5 years old daughter screamed and I laughed as I picked her up and peppered her face with kisses and she rewarded me with giggles. She was the reason why I looked forward to the end of work everyday.

"Hi Baby." I said with a smile as I buried my nose in her neck to inhale the smell of soap on her skin. Amari Louisa Garvey is the brightest star in my life. I had her when I was 24 and I live for her because I know deep down that without her, I'd probably be gone by now. She is my reason for staying alive and the only good thing (and the best) that came and remained from the dark part of my life. It scared me that she was growing up. I wanted her to be my little girl forever.

"My tooth fell out." she said as she gave me a toothy grin to show me the missing tooth. She has baby soft hair that looked as kinky as my African roots but eyes as blue as her father's and that made me shiver within my soul. She also got the tall genes from her father but she got everything else from me, thank God.

"Awwn." I cooed when she gave me the said tooth.

"I told mum-mum to put it back with her sellotape or glue but she told me she can't. So I waited for you because you are the best at everything, I know you can do it." she completed with so much hope in my capacity to put back her tooth that I felt bad because even my super powers that came with being a mum wasn't enough to put back in a fallen tooth.

"But if I put it back in, the Tooth Fairy won't come in for a visit and you won't get a dollar and some candy." I replied and she physically deflated right there before my very eyes and her smile fell.

"But I don't want the Tooth Fairy to take my tooth. What will she do with it?"

"Keep it safe until his brothers and sisters are united with it because you took good care of the tooth. Don't you want a candy?"

"But you said I can't have candy at night."

"Yes I did. But you can eat it during the day and if she leaves a dollar too, you can buy anything you want. Isn't there something you want to buy?" I asked and she began fiddling with my necklace.

"I want to replace the toy I broke. I'm sorry I broke the train you gave me on my birthday." she muttered before burying her face in my neck. I rubbed her back as she slipped her thumb in her mouth.

"I told you it's fine sweetie. Mr Choo-Choo is in toy heaven now. Isn't that good?" she nodded. I kissed her forehead. "Were you good for mum-mum?" I asked and she nodded again.

"I missed you today after school." she muttered around her thumb. It was at that point that I remembered that I promised to be the one to pick her from school.

"I'm so sorry sweetie. I was so busy at the office. Forgive me?" She shook her head. "I'll cry if you don't. You know I get sad when you're mad at me." I said as I pretended to cry and she kissed my eyes before flashing a smile.

"I forgive you." She said and I kissed her cheek again before replying. "Thank you Baby. I love you."

"I love you too." she replied before wrapping her arms around my neck as she began chattering about what happened in school and how she did finger painting. I went in search of my mum. She was dishing out dinner when I walked into the kitchen.

"Hi Mum. Good evening. I said before pressing a kiss to her cheek and she rewarded me with a smile and a hey baby, hope you're good. My family was the source of my strength.

"Mum-mum said dinner is chicken and potatoes." Amari supplied as she got out of my arms and into her seat as she looked forward to eating. I've never seen a 5 year old get as excited as she did whenever food is involved. I reached behind me and unfastened my bra so that I could eat without restrictions since I didn't have the opportunity to get out of my work clothes. I didn't want to make them wait longer than they already did. I washed my hands in the sink before pulling out a chair between my mum and my daughter.

Amari reached for her spoon and my mum spoke up before I did. "Amari what's the first thing you're supposed to do before eating?"

"Oh. Sorry mum-mum. I forget." she quickly pressed her hands together and closed her eyes and said in a haste "Bless this food, God. Amen."

I chuckled and echoed Amen and chuckled harder at the disapproval on my mum's face. She didn't like eating without blessing the food, and she didn't like it when blessings weren't properly said. I shook my head at her when she wanted to say something and she nodded and let it go.

"How was work today Mila?" she asked and so we talked about the day and how it went. Amari ran off midway through dinner and a minute later, I was presented with the result of her finger painting. I put it up on the door on the fridge after giving her a proud smile.

After dinner, we watched a little bit of TV, did her homework for the day and finally, by 9pm, I tucked her into bed after putting the tooth under her pillow. We had a nighttime ritual of talking after her nighttime story and then praying before she went to bed. My body ached from being tired and sitting all day but I put on a smile for her. She didn't need to know how tired I was. I was eternally grateful for my job because it paid more than enough. I wanted her to have everything I never had. I earned enough to pay for a good school, I got the toys she needed, we lived in a good neighborhood, I gave the best I could afford and that was a lot. I was also grateful for my mum because I worked harder and easier knowing that my daughter was safe with her grandma. Everything would have been worse if I didn't have her.

"Anything you want to talk about sweetie?" I asked as I gave her her Winnie the Pooh Bear and she looked at me with familiar eyes. She had a lot to say.

"Why don't I have a daddy?" she asked and my heart sank into my stomach. No matter how much I wished the day she'd ask that question won't come, I knew it would come but I still wasn't prepared for it.

"I..."

"Other kids in school have their daddies that come to take them home and let them ride their backs. Evey said her daddy's teaching her how to ride a bicycle."

"Your daddy went to human heaven baby." I said softly as I reached out and touched her cheek. Liar. Heaven my fat ass. I hope he rots in hell. My subconscious screamed and I gave my daughter a soft smile.

"Was he good?"

"Yes he was. He was very good." He was lower than the scum of the very earth we live in.

"Do I look like him?"

"A little. You have his eyes and you're tall too."

"If I pray to God for a new daddy do you think he will gimme one?"

"Definitely my darling. He answers the prayers of little kids." I replied and she smiled as she finally relaxed and held my hands and we said her night prayers and I kissed her good night, dimmed the light and left the door open and made my way to my own room. I left the door open too in case she wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to crawl into my bed.

I finally got out of my work clothes and turned on the tap to fill the tub with water. While that was happening, I looked at the mirror. Talking about her father brought back memories. Horrible memories. I shook my head to clear the images that began floating back into my head. I looked at the woman that looked back at me from the mirror. She looked stronger and better than she did years ago. She had more self esteem, more dignity, more self respect. All that because of Amari. I wanted her to have a mother who was proud of herself, who knew not to take shit from people, I wanted her to be proud to call me her mother.

I reached out and touched the small scar that marred my temple. It was almost invisible now but it was still there. Nipples and belly button piercings I got for the wrong reasons stared back at me. I traced the CS scar from Amari's birth with the tip of my finger and her face and toothy grin floated back into my mind and I looked away from the mirror and got into the tub and water sloshed over the edge of the bath and onto the floor as I got in. I had a relaxed and happy smile on my face.

I'm not yet where I want to be but I'm no longer where I used to be.