Rita scoffs and turns around. SJ opens the door and I leave. It isn’t until I’m in my car that I realize what Rita meant by her comment. I also realized Rita was definitely talking from experience. At some point in her life, she had to do something in exchange for food. I just hope it’s not what I think it is. I think about the way SJ wouldn’t look at me. Did she think I wanted something from her in return for the food?
Chapter 5
“ Rita , will you calm down? I’m sure Caleb didn’t mean it like that,” I say while cooking the sausages and trying to convince my friend that Caleb is genuine. God, I hope he is or I’m going to look like a complete idiot.
“He wants to get you into bed, SJ. He’s trying to buy his way in,” she replies.
“Well I’ve got news for you, he doesn’t need to buy his way in.” I smirk.
“SJ! You did not just say that,” she admonishes me.
“Hey, I’m human and he’s hot. You can’t blame a girl for fantasizing,” I reply, fanning my face. “He asked me out to dinner. I think he might like me,” I tell her hesitantly.
“You silly girl,” she mutters under her breath.
“If you have something to say Rita, don’t be shy,” I snap.
“He will get you into bed, take your innocence and leave you without looking back,” she says. I know she’s only being a friend, but that really hurt. “What about Mitch and Maddie? Does he know the story? What will he do when he finds out you’ve lied?”
I can’t help it, I cry like a baby. Rita wraps her arms around me and apologizes for being so blunt. She has nothing to be sorry for, everything she said is probably the truth.
“So you don’t think I should go out with him then?” I ask.
“What did you say when he asked you?”
“That I might have to work and I’d let him know on Saturday.”
“If he calls before Saturday, don’t go out with him,” she says.
“Huh, why?”
“If he calls before Saturday, it means he’s got a table booked and if he can’t take you to dinner, he has plenty of time to find someone else to take. If he waits until Saturday, then he’s been waiting all week to hear from you and most likely doesn’t have anyone else to take out,” she tells me.
“You really think so?”
“Yes. I can’t promise that it means he’s serious about you, but it’s a start.” She smiles.
“Thanks Rita. It all depends on if any overtime comes up anyway.”
“If he calls before Saturday then you can take the overtime, but if he doesn’t, you at least have one night to enjoy yourself before everything goes to pot.”
“Great, thanks, Rita,” I chuckle.
***
Everyone was over the moon with the sausage and mash. They couldn’t believe how big the portions were. We split the sausages into two groups and froze half of them for tomorrow night, doing the same thing with the potatoes. Claire offered to wash up the pans so Rita and I could eat while our food was still hot and I have to admit, Caleb picked some good sausages. Unfortunately, the rest of the night was a complete disaster.
“It’s bed time,” I tell the children.
“But Mommy, we don’t want to,” they moan.
“Bed. Now.” I point to the bedroom to emphasize my point. They eventually drag their feet toward the room.
“Can we have a story?” Maddie asks sweetly.
“Maddison Louise Tanner, get to bed now. You already stayed up past your bedtime, had a glass of water and have been to the toilet twice. You promised me you would go straight to sleep when I told you it was bedtime if I allowed you to stay up late. Well it won’t be happening again, that’s for sure,” I tell her. I hate saying no but I have to be consistent. I need to prove I’m perfectly capable of raising children and not letting them walk all over me.
“Fine!” she yells with tears streaming down her face. “I hate you!” she continues before running the rest of the way to the bedroom.
“Maddie!” I call after her. When she doesn’t
Chapter 5
“ Rita , will you calm down? I’m sure Caleb didn’t mean it like that,” I say while cooking the sausages and trying to convince my friend that Caleb is genuine. God, I hope he is or I’m going to look like a complete idiot.
“He wants to get you into bed, SJ. He’s trying to buy his way in,” she replies.
“Well I’ve got news for you, he doesn’t need to buy his way in.” I smirk.
“SJ! You did not just say that,” she admonishes me.
“Hey, I’m human and he’s hot. You can’t blame a girl for fantasizing,” I reply, fanning my face. “He asked me out to dinner. I think he might like me,” I tell her hesitantly.
“You silly girl,” she mutters under her breath.
“If you have something to say Rita, don’t be shy,” I snap.
“He will get you into bed, take your innocence and leave you without looking back,” she says. I know she’s only being a friend, but that really hurt. “What about Mitch and Maddie? Does he know the story? What will he do when he finds out you’ve lied?”
I can’t help it, I cry like a baby. Rita wraps her arms around me and apologizes for being so blunt. She has nothing to be sorry for, everything she said is probably the truth.
“So you don’t think I should go out with him then?” I ask.
“What did you say when he asked you?”
“That I might have to work and I’d let him know on Saturday.”
“If he calls before Saturday, don’t go out with him,” she says.
“Huh, why?”
“If he calls before Saturday, it means he’s got a table booked and if he can’t take you to dinner, he has plenty of time to find someone else to take. If he waits until Saturday, then he’s been waiting all week to hear from you and most likely doesn’t have anyone else to take out,” she tells me.
“You really think so?”
“Yes. I can’t promise that it means he’s serious about you, but it’s a start.” She smiles.
“Thanks Rita. It all depends on if any overtime comes up anyway.”
“If he calls before Saturday then you can take the overtime, but if he doesn’t, you at least have one night to enjoy yourself before everything goes to pot.”
“Great, thanks, Rita,” I chuckle.
***
Everyone was over the moon with the sausage and mash. They couldn’t believe how big the portions were. We split the sausages into two groups and froze half of them for tomorrow night, doing the same thing with the potatoes. Claire offered to wash up the pans so Rita and I could eat while our food was still hot and I have to admit, Caleb picked some good sausages. Unfortunately, the rest of the night was a complete disaster.
“It’s bed time,” I tell the children.
“But Mommy, we don’t want to,” they moan.
“Bed. Now.” I point to the bedroom to emphasize my point. They eventually drag their feet toward the room.
“Can we have a story?” Maddie asks sweetly.
“Maddison Louise Tanner, get to bed now. You already stayed up past your bedtime, had a glass of water and have been to the toilet twice. You promised me you would go straight to sleep when I told you it was bedtime if I allowed you to stay up late. Well it won’t be happening again, that’s for sure,” I tell her. I hate saying no but I have to be consistent. I need to prove I’m perfectly capable of raising children and not letting them walk all over me.
“Fine!” she yells with tears streaming down her face. “I hate you!” she continues before running the rest of the way to the bedroom.
“Maddie!” I call after her. When she doesn’t
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