Mama's Mess

Chapter Seven

I set Grace in her playpen with her toys and sippy cup before heading into the kitchen to pack the boys' school lunches. They won't be up for another thirty minutes, so I have a little more quiet time.

I start with their ham sandwiches while listening to the radio playing softly. I hum along to some Randy Travis as I finish up their lunches and proceed to make my coffee. I just finished when I heard footsteps down the hall.

Carter pokes his messy bed head around the corner and shoots me a toothless grin. “Morning, mama.” I smile and help him onto a chair, “Morning, baby, sleep well?” I pull out the overnight oats we made before bed.

Not my first choice, but if he wants to eat oatmeal with chocolate chips, blueberries, a little brown sugar, and a couple of dinosaur gummies in it, then so be it. At least he's eating before school. I slide it over to him with a spoon. “Yes, Mama, I dreamed about catching fishies in the clouds. I caught a big ole blue fishy.”

He proceeds to go on about the several different fish he caught and the fish tank he kept them all in. I wish I had the energy to be that alert as soon as I woke up. I nod along while checking book bags for any paperwork I might have missed Friday as Lane walks in, making faces at Grace before sitting beside Carter, already dressed.

He pulls out a comic book and begins flipping through it. He's never been a morning person or breakfast eater. I toss him a granola bar, and he gives me a sleepy smile before returning to his book. I usher Carter to the bathroom, where his clothes await.

After both boys are completely dressed and ready, I scoop up Grace and set her on my hip while walking the boys out to the sidewalk to wait for the bus. Carter is still going on about random things when the bus comes up the street.

“Alright, boys, have a great day. I'll be here waiting for you after school, okay?” They both hug me and wave to their little sister before hopping on the bus and making their way to school. We head back inside, and I get Grace her breakfast and set up on her play mat before sitting down and getting to work. I can't help but let my mind wander to what Dustin is up to.

DUSTINS POV

I flop down on my dad's rolling chair with a huff. “I told you already it was just coffee, ma.” She gives me a dirty look before sitting at her desk across from my dad's.

“Don't you tell me that, Dustin Dean. I saw your face coming home last night. That's not ‘just coffee’,” she turns her computer on and starts pulling out whatever her paperwork consists of.

I internally roll my eyes, not daring to do so in front of her. It was just coffee and nothing more. I'm sure Laney doesn't have time for anything more. I half smile at the thought of her, with those pretty blue eyes and the sweetest personality.

I shuffle some papers on the desk and check the time again, twenty more minutes before I can go get Hayden for his physical therapy. He has a knee that is bowed inwards, but it doesn't slow him down.

I'd like to keep it that way. I hear someone clear their throat and scoot out of my dad's chair. He shakes his head and plops down. “Would you wanna take Hayden with you to pick up an order of pipes and plumbers' glue from the warehouse outside of town?”

I nod and take the order receipts, tucking them in my travel clipboard. “I agree with your mom, by the way. Definitely more than just coffee, especially since you didn't hear me come in.” He doesn't spare me a second glance before starting up his computer and sliding on his spectacles.

I huff and snatch my keys off the desk. “Whatever makes you two sleep better, ganging up on me.” I hear them laugh as I leave the office, heading out back to my truck. Those two always know everything before it happens.

It's like they have some kind of superpower to see exactly what's going on before you even know it's happening. Not that I've been nonstop thinking about everything that happened Saturday or anything. I jump in my truck and scrub my hand over my face. I'm screwed, it's been two days, and I just wanna see her or even hear her voice again. She’s on my mind whether I want her to be or not.

I start the truck and head toward Hayden's school. He’s my best buddy, and I've been in his life since day one. His mama didn’t make it through his birth, so I tried to be there for my brother with everything.

He works for a tech company further into the big city, so since I have a down-to-earth boss, I take time off for his appointments or anything else he needs. I rumble to a stop in the pickup spot and head inside to the office. I hit the buzzer, telling them my name, and the doors unlock, letting me wait in a waiting room done in rainbows, butterflies, and other woodland critters.

I don't wait more than five minutes before Hayden walks in, rushing towards me, hugging me tight. “Uncle D! I didn’t know you were taking me to therapy today.” I hug him back, taking his bookbag, slinging it over my shoulder.

“Well, yeah, I'm taking you. Can't let anyone else steal my day with you.” The secretary tries to hide her smile as she signs us out and buzzes us through the doors. I help Hayden in the truck, tossing his bag in the backseat.

“What are we getting for lunch today, boss man?” He smiles big and ponders for a moment while I pull out, heading for the highway. “Wendy's? With frostys?” I nod, “That sounds like a great lunch buddy.” He grabs my phone, turning on some old school country, I taught him well, before sitting back and watching the scenery go by. These are some of my favorite days.