Battered to Loved

2.

7:30 am and my alarm rings to wake me up. Pheonix is out of school for the summer. I roll out of bed heading to the bathroom. Both kids are asleep still. Perfect time for a quick shower, I turn the shower on adjusting the water temp when it’s just right I get undressed and hop in. Allowing the water to slow over my body before getting the soap to wash myself. I start with washing and conditioning my hair first and then washing my body. Once all of the soap is completely washed off of me, I go ahead and get out wrapping myself in a towel and then my hair. I head to check on the kids, they’re still asleep, so I head to my bedroom. I stare at myself in the mirror looking at all the old scares from Talia and Michael. Sighing I begin to think “Not that I am looking for love but who could really love me with all of these scars besides my kids?” I shake my head trying to get rid of that thought. I mean I have already come so far since then and have begun to love myself, I don’t really understand sometimes why I have these thoughts from time to time.

I begin dressing in a blue tank top and a pair of ripped blue jeans, throwing my hair into a messy bun. I make my way to the kitchen to begin breakfast. Pulling out eggs, bacon and hash brown and pull out the pans I’ll need. My kids love cheesy scrambled eggs, and this is a quick breakfast before I have to head to work. Little feet are making their way to the kitchen, Legacy is the first to come in “Good morning mama.” She says to me with a bright smile walking to give me a hug. “Good morning baby.” I reply to her hugging her back. “Mommy school starts in two weeks!” Pheonix excitedly says to me while running to hug. I can’t help but giggle. “I know baby! Are you ready?” I say while tickling him. He laughs while shaking his head yes. “Are you kiddos hungry?” I ask while setting their plates on the table. They sit down and giggle “Yes mama.”

It takes all but ten minutes for them to finish their breakfast. Realizing I have to be at work in fifteen minutes. “We have to hurry I am going to be late for work and Mrs. Smith is probably waiting for you guys downstairs.” I say while they run to their room, and I follow behind. Pheonix is getting himself ready while I get Legacy ready and get their teeth brushed. Once their shoes and socks are on, I lead them downstairs to Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith is an elderly neighbor of mine who has more or less became like a mom to me. She’s a sweet older lady who watches the kids while I work. Even though I have offered to pay her she tells me it’s fine it’s like she finally has her own daughter and grandkids. Her and her husband are very involved in our lives and they treat us like family. They were actually one of the first few people I met when we first moved to Maine. They have no clue what they do for us is very much appreciated. “Sorry Mrs. Smith didn’t realize what time it was.” I say to her walking in. She gave me a key of my own for days like this.

“It’s not a problem dear, hurry along before you’re late.” She says.

“Yes ma’am I am pulling a double today, so I will probably be back around midnight. You can take the kids upstairs at any time. Thank you.” I reply.

“No thank you, you guys are family and it’s always a pleasure with the kids. Now go.” She tells me while shooing me away.

I couldn’t help but giggle, she is like the mother I never had. I head to my car and begin the five minute drive to work. Once there I noticed Mary and Britney were already there. Britney is the opening manager and Mary is just another waitress. We are short staffed lately, so I have been pulling doubles the past couple of weeks. I don’t complain because I am saving up to buy the kids and I our own house. So, the overtime pay is good. I smile walking in and tell them good morning while heading to the back to get my apron. “Mark has some interviews set up for today, so you’ll be on the floor with Mary until she has to leave and then by yourself.” Britney informs me. Mark is the owner's son and has been setting up interviews for Britney to do. Mark isn’t nice nor mean, he just gives me the creeps. Sometimes he’ll inappropriately talk to us female workers and group us. But there is nothing we can do about it. The owner Stella has been sick for a while so he has stepped in and none of us want to lose our jobs. If you know anything about Maine, you’ll know that jobs are hard to come by.

“It’s okay you know I got this.” I replied to giving her a smile. It’s only 9:45 and the lunch rush won't start until about 12:30-1:00. So, Mary and I started doing prep work for the lunch shift. Even though we are open for breakfast we don’t get many customers coming in for it. It’s usually Door Dash drivers that come in. I begin making sure all the tables are cleaned and napkin holders are filled, while Mary gets the bar ready and silverware in the correct places for us. At this point one of the interviewees come in and ask for Britney so I go ahead and get her. “You can wait right here, she’ll be out momentarily” I say to the blonde lady. Moments later Britney comes out and heads to the table where I told the lady to sit at.