Fighter
536 Words
“I am so tired. If you think earlier was bad …,” Abitha said to Kayla in the car.
“You look pooped. Poor thing. So how much extra is he paying you?”
“I don’t know. I figure double, but it has to be some good overtime.”
“I sure hope so, but do you think you’d be able to handle it. I mean, if this is how you are after two days, how are you going to be Friday?”
“Kayla, I really appreciate all of your concern, but I’ve been through a lot in my life. This is nothing. I’ll be fine,” Abitha answered.
“Well, I know you are very headstrong so there’s no changing your mind. I guess you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
“That’s right.”
Kayla pulled up to the front of Abitha’s house.
“Thanks for the lift, K.”
“No problem. Get some rest.”
“Will do,” Abitha said getting out of the car.
As Abitha walked in the house, she heard Kayla drive off. Tired and getting a headache, she dragged herself through the front door to find Laurel asleep on the couch.
“Laurel. Laurel,” Abitha said trying to wake her up.
Laurel finally woke up to see it was midnight.
“Girl, do you know what time it is?”
“Yes, I do as unfortunate as that is.”
“Why unfortunate?” Laurel asked confused.
“Because that just confirms why I’m so tired.”
“So, was it a good night?”
“Yeah … better than yesterday,” Abitha said sitting down.
She slipped off her shoes and laid back next to Laurel.
“Tired?”
“Please. Do you even have to ask? How were Stephanie and Kirsten?”
“They were good. I brought a movie over and after we watched that, Kirsten played with her dolls for most of the night while Steph talked on the phone and watched TV.”
“Sounds like the norm. Can you do this again tomorrow night?”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to. My aunt and cousin are coming to town, so I have to be home. I’m really sorry.”
“I understand. I’ll just have to find someone else to watch them.”
“What about Gracie’s friend, Marie?”
“I don’t know her. I’m not about to leave my sisters with a stranger, or strangers as the case may be.”
“Okay. So, who do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know. I’m too tired to think.”
“I’m too tired to talk. I’m going home,” Laurel said getting up.
“Thanks again, Laurel.”
“Don’t mention it.”
As Laurel grabbed her stuff, she turned to say goodnight to Abitha and saw that she was already fast asleep.
- Writer
