flipping through oversized index cards. We sit to the left of Meriwether in assigned director chairs. Crew members flit about, wiring us up and having each of us test the small mics. The gleam in Meriwether's eyes when they land on me tell me she's not going to hold back. So much for topics not to be discussed. This bitch is going to bleed me for everything she can get. With shaking hands, I feel around my pockets for the little brown vial of numbness and think of a reason to escape to the bathroom.
Liza
My bag for work is packed and the chicken macaroni bake is in the oven. Sitting at the breakfast bar, which is already set for three, I'm finally sorting through mail.
Junk mail, cable bill, phone bill, a manila envelope undoubtedly containing documents my case worker told me to expect, and a thick, white envelope. The junk mail goes unopened into the trash. Last time I checked, I am not old enough for AARP and I don’t need a preapproved credit card. Groaning, I open each bill and mark the due dates in my Dollar Store purchased monthly planner. Slipping from the stool, I put the bills in the wall organizer near the phone.
Already knowing the manila envelope contains papers I have to complete every year and return to our social worker, I pick up the white envelope.
I tear open the side and slide the papers halfway out as the oven timer goes off. Placing the papers on the counter, I silence the timer and retrieve dinner before it burns.
I burn my finger through the worn potholder and curse just in time for Luke to hear me.
"Ah, you kiss your baby boy with that mouth?" He chuckles.
Kel's laughter follows.
"Ha-ha, smart-butt." I set the hot dish onto the counter and grab a serving spoon.
"You’ve got to admit, it was pretty good." Kelvin slides onto the stool next to Luke, both of them facing the small kitchen.
"No, I don't." I dish out chicken macaroni onto each plate, trying not to laugh while Kelvin serves the salad.
"What's this?" Kel picks up the papers I have yet to look over.
Pushing the dish off to the side, I shrug. "I haven't been able to read them yet."
He unfolds the papers, then folds them back up quickly. The look he shares with Luke doesn't go unnoticed.
"Hand them over," I speak around a mouthful of food, my arm stretched over the spread before us.
"They can wait." He shrugs, pushing the papers off to the side.
Standing, I walk around the breakfast bar, grab the papers from the far corner Kel shoved them to, and move back to my seat. Before I can sit, I freeze, reading the words on the paper.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have progressed to the next round in Hidden Talent! Enclosed are necessary documents needing your review and signature.
"What the hell did she do?" Falling back onto my stool, I keep flipping through the papers, not actually seeing anything but a blur of congratulatory remarks, signature lines, dates, times, addresses, and that damn logo.
"Who?" Luke chokes out, just as Kel asks, "What's wrong?"
I look up at them, my eyes still wide with shock.
"Sid! She entered me into that Hidden Talent competition somehow!" Standing quickly, I move straight to my bag by the door, dig around, and pull out my cell phone.
"What are you doing?" Luke jumps down from his seat, hurrying to my side.
"I'm going to give your aunt Sid the biggest earful!" Scrolling to her name, I touch the screen to initiate the call.
"Mom, wait!" Luke protests, reaching for my phone.
"Go finish eating. I'm going to go cuss her out in Kel's room." I step to walk away, but Kelvin stands in front of me.
"Miss me already?" Sid's voice chirps.
"What are you doing?" I ask Kelvin.
"Um, working on designing the website I told you about," Sid answers in confusion.
"Not you," I speak to Sid, then angle the phone away from my mouth. "Move."
"No." Kel shakes his head. "We have something to tell you."
"We?" I ask.
Kel reaches out and pulls Luke to his side.
"What the hell is going on?" Sid asks, my phone
Liza
My bag for work is packed and the chicken macaroni bake is in the oven. Sitting at the breakfast bar, which is already set for three, I'm finally sorting through mail.
Junk mail, cable bill, phone bill, a manila envelope undoubtedly containing documents my case worker told me to expect, and a thick, white envelope. The junk mail goes unopened into the trash. Last time I checked, I am not old enough for AARP and I don’t need a preapproved credit card. Groaning, I open each bill and mark the due dates in my Dollar Store purchased monthly planner. Slipping from the stool, I put the bills in the wall organizer near the phone.
Already knowing the manila envelope contains papers I have to complete every year and return to our social worker, I pick up the white envelope.
I tear open the side and slide the papers halfway out as the oven timer goes off. Placing the papers on the counter, I silence the timer and retrieve dinner before it burns.
I burn my finger through the worn potholder and curse just in time for Luke to hear me.
"Ah, you kiss your baby boy with that mouth?" He chuckles.
Kel's laughter follows.
"Ha-ha, smart-butt." I set the hot dish onto the counter and grab a serving spoon.
"You’ve got to admit, it was pretty good." Kelvin slides onto the stool next to Luke, both of them facing the small kitchen.
"No, I don't." I dish out chicken macaroni onto each plate, trying not to laugh while Kelvin serves the salad.
"What's this?" Kel picks up the papers I have yet to look over.
Pushing the dish off to the side, I shrug. "I haven't been able to read them yet."
He unfolds the papers, then folds them back up quickly. The look he shares with Luke doesn't go unnoticed.
"Hand them over," I speak around a mouthful of food, my arm stretched over the spread before us.
"They can wait." He shrugs, pushing the papers off to the side.
Standing, I walk around the breakfast bar, grab the papers from the far corner Kel shoved them to, and move back to my seat. Before I can sit, I freeze, reading the words on the paper.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have progressed to the next round in Hidden Talent! Enclosed are necessary documents needing your review and signature.
"What the hell did she do?" Falling back onto my stool, I keep flipping through the papers, not actually seeing anything but a blur of congratulatory remarks, signature lines, dates, times, addresses, and that damn logo.
"Who?" Luke chokes out, just as Kel asks, "What's wrong?"
I look up at them, my eyes still wide with shock.
"Sid! She entered me into that Hidden Talent competition somehow!" Standing quickly, I move straight to my bag by the door, dig around, and pull out my cell phone.
"What are you doing?" Luke jumps down from his seat, hurrying to my side.
"I'm going to give your aunt Sid the biggest earful!" Scrolling to her name, I touch the screen to initiate the call.
"Mom, wait!" Luke protests, reaching for my phone.
"Go finish eating. I'm going to go cuss her out in Kel's room." I step to walk away, but Kelvin stands in front of me.
"Miss me already?" Sid's voice chirps.
"What are you doing?" I ask Kelvin.
"Um, working on designing the website I told you about," Sid answers in confusion.
"Not you," I speak to Sid, then angle the phone away from my mouth. "Move."
"No." Kel shakes his head. "We have something to tell you."
"We?" I ask.
Kel reaches out and pulls Luke to his side.
"What the hell is going on?" Sid asks, my phone
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