Mama's Mess

Chapter one

God damn dishwasher!" I slap the appliance and sigh. I am not handwashing all of these bottles and dishes. I just don't have time or patience.

"Let go, Carter, it's mine!" I hear Lane yell at his younger brother, and then the screaming starts.

"Another day in paradise." I scoop up Grace, my eight-month-old daughter, before she starts screaming, too, and head toward the chaos in the living room.

"If you two can't get along, we're all taking a nap!" They both freeze and drop the dinosaur they're fighting over.

"Sorry, Mama." I give them a tired smile and take a seat on the couch.

"It's okay, my loves, we just have to practice our sharing skills. We're still learning, huh?" They both nod and climb up beside me, cuddling into my sides.

"I'll tell you boys what, if you clean up all your toys before your dad gets here, we'll go get ice cream when you get back from practice." They both squeal and jump off the couch, cleaning their toys as fast as lightning. I laugh and sit back, watching. They are both growing to be fine young men.

Carter is only four and already has thick, dark, curly hair that is just above his blue eyes. He's going to need it trimmed soon, which is always a fantastic time. Then, Lane is turning the big six-years-old next week. He's my troublemaker, with bright green eyes and his dirty blond hair cut short.

They're exact opposites in every way, just like their father and me. That man is insufferable and is sure to make my life as hard as possible. Including enrolling both boys in flag football without asking me if we have the time or finances for it. Scraping up the money for uniforms was hard enough without James breathing down my neck, not offering a dime, and making sure I knew how much it excited them to start a new hobby. Of course, he also always throws in how willing their “stepmother” is to help with paying for anything. Not their father. Her.

They just throw the last toy in the toy box when the doorbell rings. "Daddy!" They both scream and haul ass down the hall to their rooms, gathering their cleats and football bags. I internally sigh and leave a sleeping Grace in her bassinet before opening the door.

"Hello, James; the boys are getting their things together." He pushes past me into the house, "I'll just wait for them here." I roll my eyes and close the door behind him. I cross my arms over my chest.

He pokes his head around the living room doorway, then the kitchen, as if he's making sure there's no one here.

"Have to make sure my boys aren't around any of your muses." I scoff and flop my arms out to my sides, "First of all, I have zero muses. Second of all, even if I did, they wouldn't be around the boys, and third of all, it's none of your damn business what I do in my free time. Last I checked, we're not together anymore, and if memory serves me right, you had them around your muse behind my back.” I grind my teeth.

He scoffs, and before he can make a smart-ass comment, the boys come thundering down the hall. "We're all ready, Mama!" Lane drops his bag and hugs my legs tight, Carter doing the same.

I shake myself out of it and give them a small smile and bend down, squeezing them both tight. "You two practice hard and play harder and try not to come home too bruised, okay?"

They giggle and pull away, "I get no bruises, mama." Carter flashes me a missing-tooth smile, and I ruffle his hair. Lane puffs out his chest, “I'll protect him, mama.”

"I'll hold you to it, mister." I can't help my full smile, he's a great big brother. They giggle again and pick up their bags before walking out the door with James. James turns to me, “You’re making them into big pansies. They need a man in their life more than once a week.” I shoot him a look, “This is not up for discussion in front of them. Drop it.” He rolls his eyes and walks off the porch.

"I love you, boys! I'll see you this evening!"Okay, Mama!" I watch them get into James's car and drive away before I shut the door with a big sigh. I hate that man. Why I had three children with him, I’ll never know. I have to find my phone and find a cheap plumber to fix the dishwasher.