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1106 Words
Oh man, Abitha thought. The girls are gonna be really upset once they find out that I have to work two shifts for the rest of the week. I don’t know how I’m gonna tell ‘em. As soon as Abitha walked through the door, the girls ran up to her in excitement.
“Whoa! What’s going on?” Abitha asked confused.
“There’s a new movie out that Steph and I want to see.”
“It premieres tonight and starts in a half hour,” Stephanie informed.
“And?”
“And so, can we go?” Kirsten asked.
“Please? You’re always talking about having a family night when we can sit around, watch movies, and pig out. Why not tonight?”
“Please?”
“Sure. You can go.”
Stephanie and Kirsten cheered.
“But I can’t,” Abitha added.
Stephanie and Kirsten froze.
“You can’t? Why?”
“Kirst, I have to work tonight. I’m sorry.”
“But you don’t work nights,” Stephanie remembered.
“I know but I will be for the rest of the week.”
“No!” Stephanie cried.
“Steph, it’s okay. You can still go. I’ll get someone to watch you and …”
“I’m tired of having other people watch over us. I don’t want to see a movie with them. I want to see the movie with you.”
“Me too,” Kirsten added.
“Girls, I’m sorry. I have to work this shift. We need the money.”
“We always need the money. Forget the money. We need a sister!”
Abitha’s heart dropped to her stomach. She had to hold back her tears. She had to.
“I’m sorry.”
Abitha walked into the next room to use the phone to call someone to babysit Kirsten and Stephanie. There was only one person she could call.
“Hello?”
“Laurel, can you do me a favor?”
“Yeah, sure. What is it?”
“Do you have any plans tonight?”
“Girl, I’m on punishment. Are you tryna be funny?”
“Can you watch Kirst and Steph for me? I have to work tonight.”
“What time is it? Aren’t you usually off at five?”
“Yeah, but they need someone to work an open shift because Leah got fired.”
“Did you have to work it?”
“Well, it’s not like you can say no to Mr. Searle. Plus, you know what’s up here. I’m all alone trying to take care of my two sisters! Do you think this is easy for me?” Abitha defended.
“Hey! Whoa, Abby. Chill. I’m not trying to criticize you or put you down. I understand what you going through. I am not the enemy. Seize fire!”
“I’m sorry. I apologize. I just have a lot on my mind, you know? I just got an earful from the girls and …”
“Say no more. I’ll be over ASAP, alright?”
“Yeah.”
“See you when I get there.”
“Bye and Laurel?”
“Hmm?”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it, A.”
She hung up. It was good to know that through all of this, there was one person she could go to. One person who would have her back all the time. It felt nice to have a friend to count on.
Abitha walked into the livingroom to tell her baby sisters the news.
“Laurel is coming over in a little while.”
“Will she take us to the movies?” Kirsten asked.
“I have no doubts, Kirst. I have no doubts.”
“Yea! Aren’t you happy, Stephie?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she mumbled walking upstairs to her room.
“Can I talk to you in private?” Kirsten whispered to Abitha.
Kirsten took her big sisters’ hand and pulled her into the kitchen.
“What is it, Kirst?”
“I really wish you could go to the movies with us but since you can’t, I understand. I still love you.”
Abitha smiled. She didn’t feel so bad anymore and her heart was swimming up to its rightful place. “Thank you. That makes me feel better.”
“Even though Stephie is mad right now, I know that she still loves you too.”
Abitha hugged her little sister. Those words made her feel so much better.
“Somebody’s knocking at the door,” Stephanie said from the other room.
“So, answer it!”
“I am not the maid. You answer it!”
“I’ll get it,” Kirsten offered sweetly.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
Kirsten went to answer the door and saw … “Laurel!”
“Hey! How’s my girl?” Laurel greeted hugging her.
“Laure. Girl, you don’t know how happy I am to see you.”
“Are you late?”
“No. of course not. I’ve got plenty of time.”
“I should’ve known. Where’s my other girl? Stephanie,” Laurel called.
“She’s in the livingroom, not talking to me.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t go to the movies with them tonight.”
“You guys wanna go to the movies?”
“Yeah yeah,” Kirsten cheered.
“Well, you and Stephanie go get ready, okay?”
“Okay!”
Kirsten ran off.
“So, how’s the w**********l?”
“Tired but fine.”
“You worry me, Abs.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. You are going to work yourself into the ground. You need a vacation. You’re going to make yourself sick!”
“Okay. You know what? I have to go,” Abitha said opening the door.
“Abby,” Laurel said grabbing her arm. “Don’t get mad. I’m just saying …”
“I know what you’re saying … and I still have to work.”
Laurel loosened her grasp on Abitha, and she left.
- Writer
