Adopted love

Chapter two - An ordinary boy

Josh's POV:

Hello, my name is Josh Carter. I am nineteen years old ordinary boy. What I mean is that I'm not famous or part of any team. I have a little sister named Rosie. Soon she will be eleven. Also, our parents love spending time with us. Well, mostly mom. If she could, she would've spent every day with us. That's why I use my free time for her. While she is at work, I hang out with my friends. Sometimes, she wants to do it way too often. I love my mom, but I have to cut her off. Rosie has other interests too. We try to be with her for as long as possible. Honestly, I'm glad that she wants to be with us. Some parents don't pay attention to their kids at all. Dad does it too, but not as much as mom. He is chill and always tells us to go out or do what we like. I think he might be jealous. I mean, my mom spends a lot of time with us. He might feel like a second option. Probably it's not true, but I wish they could go out more often. That's why I don't mind taking care of Rosie. I can invite my friends at home to stay with us. They like my sister, which is a bonus. Once, she tried to prank Austin. He didn't get offended but pretended to be in front of her. She ended up getting tickled by him. For some reason, she likes messing with my friends. Probably it's because they give her a lot of attention. My sister likes it when they are at home. I'm glad that they understand each other so well. Some people won't like it if you bring your little sister everywhere. My friends are exactly the opposite. They like it when I take her with me. Well, she has friends too. They play some games that I will never be able to understand. Kids nowadays are different. Technology hadn't evolved that much when I was her age. I hope that she has a happy childhood. Every kid deserves to have good memories.

I woke up and went to get ready for school. Mom is the one who is driving Rosie and me. We are in different schools, but she loves doing it. I don't mind. After all, I know why she does it. She wants to spend as much time with us as possible. Sometimes I feel like she doesn't want us to grow up. Maybe she wants us to be around her forever, but we can't do it. I like spending time with her. I also want a social life. Please don't ask how she acts when my friends are at home. All of them feel like they have a second mom.

When I was ready, I went to check on Rosie. She likes to sleep until late. I walked into her room. The bed has been made, which means she is already up. I walked downstairs for breakfast. My sister was already eating her cereal. That is her favorite food, so early in the morning. Mom cooks different food every day, but this girl wants her cereal. It's not a lie that I like it too.

- Good morning. - I said

- You are late. I almost finished my food. - Rosie said

- Good for you. I will eat something, and we can go to school.

- Mom is driving us today.

- I know. She does it every day.

- If you want, I can stop. - mom said

- No need to do it.

- Can Lizzy come home with us? - Rosie asked

- Sure. Josh, can you take them? I have a meeting during my lunch break. I don't know when it will finish.

- No problem. When I finish school, I will take them.

- Thank you, honey.

After breakfast, my mom drove us to school. As I see it, she won't let us go soon. She hugged my sister as if it was the last time she would see her. With me, it's a short hug. I think she needs another baby since she likes taking care of kids. Maybe she chose the wrong profession. Being a teacher in kindergarten is perfect for her. She can be around kids every day.

I walked in. My friends were waiting for me in front of my locker. I checked my phone to make sure I wasn't late. Probably they wanted us to talk about something.

- Hey, guys.

- Hey. Where is your mom? - Austin asked

- At work.

- Long hug.

- For Rosie.

- Tell her to adopt a baby. Please. - Devan said, chuckling

- She better changes her job. That will be better.

- What will be her next job?

- A teacher in kindergarten.

- That is great. It's exactly what she needs.

- Ok, apart from the jokes, I don't mind it. After all, she is my mom.

- We understand, but she looks a little obsessed with you and Rosie. Every parent likes spending time with their kids. Your mom wants to do it all the time.

- Why don't we go to class?

- Fine. The conversation is not over, man.

- I know.

Luckily, they dropped it for now. I like my friends, but they don't need to tell me the obvious things. The teacher was talking, but I was thinking about my mom. Maybe she wants to spend so much time with us because she didn't receive the same. I don't know what the relationship between her and my granny was. Now they see each other from time to time. I mean, she goes to her grave. Probably they didn't spend much time together. Well, I can ask about it.

On the lunch break, the boys and I went for food. Last week, there was a food fight. Let's say we have bad boys and boys on the football team. They don't like each other much. I don't know what their problems are, but I try to stay out of that. After all, I don't want to get in trouble.

- After school, we'll go to the bowling alley. Will you come with us? - Austin asked

- I can't. I have to take Rosie and her friend, Lizzy.

- Take them with us.

- They are ten. Do you think they can play?

- If you do it, we'll help them with their homework. - Devan said

- That is something they have to do.

- Come on. We want you to come. - Austin said

- I can't leave them alone.

- Take them.

- Fine, but you will be responsible if something happens.

- Deal.

I don't know why my friends like my sister so much. I mean, she is not doing the same things as them. Well, they don't have siblings. I might do it. Hopefully, we won't play for long. If they don't do their homework before mom comes home, she won't be happy. Me too. I have to take care of her while my mom is gone. Meanwhile, my dad is trying to get her attention. I think he has to try harder.

After school, Austin, Devan, and I went to take Rosie and Lizzy from school. Both of them were waiting for us on a bench. We took them and walked to the bowling alley. They were excited to be there.

- Who will play? - I asked

- I want to play with Austin. Lizzy, kick Devan's a*s. - Rosie said

- He will cry when I finish him. - Lizzy said, and I laughed

- What kind of kids are these two? - Devan asked

- Don't ask.

- Let's play. - Rosie said

She doesn't know how to play at all. At least she had fun. The same is for her friend. The boys tried to be gentle. They can beat them very hard but won't do it. We played for an hour and later went home. The boys helped the girls with their homework. I thought they were joking. I think they like my sister more than me. It's not like I care.

- When you finish here, you can call me.

- We are almost done.

I was about to go into my room when someone came in. It was my mom. What is she doing here so early? She is supposed to go home after two hours. I guess she is looking for something.

- Mom, are you ok?

- Have you seen one dark red folder? Please, say yes.

- I don't think so. Where did you put it?

- I have no idea. I have important documents there.

- Did you check your whole office? You have a lot of papers there.

- Yes, I did. It wasn't there.

- We are ready, girls. Now you can play. - Austin said

- Thank you. I'll put my things in my backpack.

- Rosie! Where did you get this? - mom said

- I put my homework there.

- Give me that.

- Is that what you have been looking for now? - I asked

- Yes, but I don't remember giving it to your sister.

- Yesterday we filled the whole table with books. She might have taken it by accident.

- Mom, will you give me my homework? - Rosie asked

- What?

- I put my homework there.

- Oh, here you go. - my mom said, opened the folder and took out the things she didn't need

- I thought you came home early.

- I wish I could. I might need to stay a bit late. If you two get hungry, ask your dad to make you something.

- Don't worry. We'll eat.

- Ok, I have to go now.

- Good luck.

- Thank you. - my mom said and left

- No hugs. That is new. - Austin said, chuckling

- She was in a rush.

- Don't get offended, but your mom has a problem. She can't be with her kids all the time. They need to go out with friends.

- I think she is doing it because no one did the same with her.

- Really?

- I can't be sure, but nothing else came to my head. I might talk with my dad later.

The girls went to pay in Rosie's room. I did the same with the boys. We played video games. After an hour, Lizzy's mom came to pick her up. My friends left as well. It was only Rosie and me. Well, that was until my dad came home. My sister was playing with her dolls. I want to talk with him. I know he is tired. Well, I'm sure he can find five minutes for me.

- Dad?

- Hey, kiddo. Do you want something?

- Can we talk? It's about my mom.

- Did something happen to her?

- No, my mom is ok. She came in the afternoon to take something.

- Then what is going on?

- Don't you think that she is obsessed with Rosie and me? Even the boys noticed it.

- You know I can't do anything about that.

- I do, but I wonder why she does it. We love spending time with her, but sometimes it's too much.

- What do you want me to do? I can't tell her to stay away from her kids.

- I didn't mean that. How were her relations with granny? You have known my mom since she was my age.

- They were good. I haven't seen them arguing.

- I thought she didn't receive enough attention. That's why she is with us all the time.

- I understand, but I don't think that is the reason.

- The thing is that I'm afraid to talk with her. She might think I don't want her anymore, which is wrong.

- Maybe that is what you have to do. Explain how you feel and why you are worried. I'm sure she will understand. If you don't want to do it, I will.

- Thanks, but I have to do it.

- Ok, then. Please, don't do it today. She is still at work and will probably come tired.

- It's ok. I can wait.

- Dad, is mommy home? - Rosie asked

- Not yet.

- But I'm hungry.

- Ok, I will put you something. We have some food from last night's dinner.

- Thank you. - Rosie said, hugged him, and left

Dad took care of her dinner. I told him not to worry about me. I will eat a sandwich. When the food was ready, I went to call Rosie. She quickly jumped from the bed and went into the kitchen.

- I wish my mom was here. - Rosie said

- Why?

- Her food is warm. This is cold.

- Rosie, don't complain.

- Try it. This is cold. - she said, and I did it

- You are right. Dad.

- Yes.

- Did you forget you put the food in the microwave?

- Maybe.

- It's ok. I will warm it for you.

- Thanks.

- You're welcome.

Soon all of us were around the table. It's visible that my dad is worried. I believe he thinks about my mom. I want to ask. It's better if we don't mention this in front of Rosie. She doesn't need to listen to all of this.

- Daddy, can I take a cookie?

- Dad?

- What?

- I want a cookie.

- Ok, go and take one. You can't eat more than that.

- I know. Thank you.

- Dad, are you ok?

- I'm worried about your mom.

- Why? Is there something I don't know?

- No, but she works a lot, and later she is always at home. She used to go out with friends, but lately, she doesn't have time for this.

- Well, it's your job to make her do it. Also, I suggest you spend some time with Rosie. As you can see, she is addicted to our mom.

- I can't compete with her.

- I didn't say that. Play some games with her or whatever she wants.

- That is something I can do.

- We need to talk with my mom.

- It won't be easy.

- No one said that it is.

Dad went to play with Rosie. I decided to wait for my mom in the kitchen. I have no idea when she will come home, but I can use the time to make her something to eat. I can't cook like her, but I can do simple things. That's why I made her two toasts and scrambled eggs. It's far from the perfect dinner, but it's better than nothing. Soon she came home.

- Hey, mom.

- Hey. I'm sorry that I come so late. I had work to do. Did you eat?

- Everything is fine. Dad took care of us.

- Where is Rosie?

- In her room, playing with my dad.

- I will check on her.

- Won't you eat? I made you dinner.

- Really? Thank you. I will come back in five minutes.

- Ok, take your time.

I know she wants to see her baby. Later, she came to eat. At least she liked my dinner. It's not the best, but that's what I can do. She was exhausted. That was visible. I can help her with everything else except for her work. I don't understand the things she does at her office every day. We need to make her go out more often. After all, she needs to have a social life as well. I spend a lot of time with my friends. My sister as well. Dad is getting worried for her. Maybe all of us can do something for her. A spa day won't be that bad. The problem is she can't stay away from us. I hope that with time, my mom will learn how to do it. All I want is for her to be happy.