The Ring of Fire & Serpents

Chapter Seven - Party Invitation

On the way home from work, I stop by the grocery store to pick up a few items to make dinner tonight. After I grab what I need, I hurry back home. As I open the front door, I find the girls seated at the kitchen table doing their homework, "Hey, Momma." Sophia calls out when I enter.

"Hey, baby. How was school?" I ask while setting the sack of groceries onto the counter.

"It was good! Savannah and I were invited to a party Friday night." she blurts out.

My eyes grow wide, and I spin around to face her, "Oh? Whose party?" I ask; my voice is raspy.

"Casey Stockton's party. She is a girl in my geometry class," she answers.

I glance over at Savannah, "She invited you too?" I ask curiously.

"Yep, she invited both of us, Momma." Savannah answers.

I quickly turn back around and begin to pull out the groceries from the bag, so they don't suspect my concerns. I can't help but worry about their safety right now with everything going on in town regarding the missing teenagers, but I'm also so used to having them here to keep me company every night. I realize I can't be selfish right now, and I have to allow them time to socialize with kids their own age. They can't be stuck home with their Momma all the time, "Okay, as long as you both are going, I have no problem with it." I answer quietly.

Sophia yelps excitedly, "Thank you, momma!" she squeals as she jumps up and wraps her arms around me from behind. I chuckle as I work to regain my balance as she playfully tackles me. I reach up and pat her arm, "Now you both have to be home by midnight. I mean it, girls! That's all I ask."

Savannah chimes in, "Momma, I'm eighteen. Why can't I stay out a little later?" she asks.

I spin around, "It's because your sixteen-year-old sister is going with you. Please don't argue with me." I scold her.

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms across her chest, "Oh momma, you are such a stiff." she replies playfully.

Irritated at her reaction, I place my hands on my hips and tap my foot on the ceramic tile, "Savannah Joy, you better not call me that again, little miss. You are technically an adult and can stay out later, but your little sister needs to be home at midnight...period! My boss gave me the day off tomorrow, so momma has a three-day weekend, and I will be up waiting on the two of you to make sure you are home on time. "

She throws her hands up apologetically, "Okay, okay, momma. Midnight it is." she replies.

Sophia tightens her grip around my waist, "What are you making for dinner, momma?" she asks curiously.

I partially turn to face her and throw my arm over her shoulder, "Spaghetti and garlic bread. Sound good?"

"Yes, I can't wait! I am starved!"

I can't help but chuckle, "When are you not hungry, child? You are my kid with the hollow leg." I respond jokingly as I playfully poke at her tiny little waist.

Her bright green eyes sparkle as she giggles, releasing her grip around me before reaching up to pull the pot down from the cabinet. Then she walks over to the sink to fill the pot up with water. Savannah jumps up, grabs a pan, sprays it down with cooking spray, and pre-heats the oven to cook garlic bread. Meanwhile, I grab a skillet and throw the hamburger meat in to cook. I love nights like this. The girls have always loved to help cook dinner with me. The three of us work together in the kitchen to prepare our food, and once it's ready, we dig in.

Later that evening, the girls and I finished up the night watching NCIS until it was time for bed. We always watched that at our old house together, so they were excited when I got the cable turned on here at the new place.

Around 9:00 pm., we all go our separate ways to our rooms to get ready for bed. I throw on my nightgown and hop into bed before turning on the television. I flip to the news station and watch for a bit. Anxiety creeps in as the reporter discusses the disappearance of the missing teenage girl. I sit up and watch, biting my nails down to the quick, wondering if I made a bad call allowing the girls to go out Friday. This is a mother's worse nightmare, but my girls have always been very responsible. My airway begins to constrict, and my heart begins to beat out of my chest as my anxiety worsens. Breathe, Laura, breathe! I immediately stop myself...Nope... I'm not going to allow myself to stress like this. I reach over and grab the remote to the television and turn it off before plopping down on the pillow.

I lie in my bed staring at the ceiling. I am wide awake and can't seem to shake the feeling in the pit of my stomach that Charlie Vance has something to do with those disappearances despite what Frank told me. I turn over to my side and gaze out my bedroom window attempting to clear my mind of all the negative thoughts. There's a nice cool breeze tonight, so I have my window open slightly, and the wind is gently blowing the curtains around. It's very peaceful out. The only sound that can be heard are the sounds of crickets chirping in the distance. The soothing sounds of nighttime make me extremely relaxed and eventually puts me into a deep sleep.

The next morning, the alarm on my phone goes off at 6:00 am. I slowly open my eyes and reach over to my nightstand, turning it off before plopping back down onto my pillow. As I reach up to rub my eyes, I can hear the shower running from the hall; it must be Savannah. She takes the longest to get ready, so she's always the first one up in the mornings. Every hair on her head has to be absolutely perfect, or it ruins her day. She gets her OCD from me, I guess.

After a few moments, she shuts off the water; I roll off the bed, wrap myself up in a robe, and head to my bathroom. Afterward, I walk down the hall towards Sophia's room to find her still fast asleep. She's definitely not a morning person, but I bet she'd wake up if I made breakfast, so I scurry down the hallway towards the kitchen.

As I enter, I open the refrigerator and pull out the bacon and begin to fry it up in the pan. The smell of bacon fills the air, and it makes my stomach growl. Sure enough, as the bacon sizzles nicely in the pan, Sophia pops her head into the kitchen, hair disheveled. She reaches her arms over her head and stretches while belting out a yawn, "Oh man, that smells so good! Morning momma!"

"Mornin baby. Did you sleep well?"

She nods and stumbles towards the kitchen table, pulling out a chair and plopping down. I turn to her, "Do you want your eggs scrambled or dippy?" I ask.

"I feel like dippy eggs with toast and bacon," she responds.

Savannah enters the room fully dressed with a towel wrapped around her head. Her eyes wide, "Momma, you cooking breakfast for us?"

I nod, "Yeah, baby. Do you want your eggs scrambled or dippy?"

She grins and rushes over to the kitchen table, "I don't care, momma, I like both. Whichever is easier." She replies before having a seat.

I glance up at the clock and notice it's already 6:30 am, so I quickly whip up the eggs and toast and serve them. I watch as the girls devour their food, "Oh momma, this is so yummy." Sophia says as she works to swallow the half masticated food rolling around in her mouth. Savannah nods her head in agreement while scarfing down her eggs. I quickly make myself a plate and join them.

Once we are finished eating, I rush to clean up the kitchen and pack their lunches while the girls finish getting ready for school. After getting themselves all dolled up, they grab their backpacks and lunches, kiss me goodbye before running out to Savannah's car, and taking off down the road. After they left, I get myself ready for the day.

I had no trouble finding things to do while they were in school. I cleaned the house from top to bottom and even had time to run to the grocery store before they got back. At 2:45 p.m. on the dot, they barged through the front door, hanging their backpacks up on the way, and made a beeline for their rooms to get ready for the party; They didn't say much as they came in. I could tell they were excited, and I didn't want to rain on their parade, so I stayed in the living room and read while they did their thing.

A couple of hours pass; I look up from my book as I hear footsteps down the hall, "Okay, momma, Soph, and I are leaving now." Savannah says as she enters the living room first, followed by Sophia.

I can't help but notice how beautiful and grown-up they are. Savannah's dressed in a white halter top that crosses in the front paired with red and white pinstripe shorts and white strappy sandals. Sophia is dressed in a bright yellow blouse paired with a black and yellow floral mini skirt and flats. Their hair and makeup are perfectly done, "Wow! You two look beautiful." I respond as they grab their purses.

"Thanks, Momma," Sophia replies.

I hop up from the sofa and approach them in the doorway, "So you remember the rule? Home at midnight. Savannah... you heard me. Sophia has to be home by midnight. Text me your friend's address when you get there, don't forget."

Savannah rolls her eyes, "Yes, momma. I know."

Sophia begins to chuckle before leaning over and kissing my cheek, "Bye, momma. We will be fine. Love you."

"I love you girls."

Savannah leans over and kisses my cheek, "Bye, momma bear, love you."

I see them off as they head out the front door and get in Savannah's car before driving off. I turn around once they are out of sight and get cozy on the sofa and read while I anxiously wait for their return.