Once we got home he zips to his room. I follow after him my decision partly made. He's gonna have to do a lot. "Aiden, if you want a pet, then you'll have to prove to me you are responsible enough to help take care of it. I also want you to give me a list of the animals you want in order, and explain to me why that animal would be most fitting to our life style." I say, through his door. He almost immediately opens the door, "Really! That's all I have to do! I can't wait!" He says enthusiastically. I chuckle. "I'll start right away!" he says racing to the computer. I smile at him and take my phone from my purse. I walk to my room and open up text messaging. I click on that man's contact and it opens up the chat.
Hello, I would like another job. My schedule is flexible and am available anytime to chat. I hope we can work together again some time.
Sincerely, Audra P.
I hit send and set my phone down. I hope that offer still stands. If it doesn't he might be getting a fish. There's nothing wrong with a fish, it's just, not really like a pet he would want. Aiden seems to be the cat or rodent type, but I could be wrong.
My thoughts were interrupted by my phones ring tone. I excitedly answer the call.
"Hello" I say answering the call.
"Hello, Audra. If your available Saturday, I have a job I believe you'll do well at. This is a night time job and requires you to be very comfortable with your, uh, body. I assure you nothing will happen. If you'd like the job text me tomorrow around noon. Have a good evening." He said and then hung up.
I honestly didn't care what I'd have to do as long as it paid well. I go over to Aiden's room and start picking up his clothes. I throw them in his hamper and take it out of his room and over to mine. I toss his clothes in with mine and bring the now empty basket back to his room.
I pick up the hamper containing both our clothes and head to the shared laundry room the whole building uses. I throw our clothes in the wash and start it. Once that's done I head back upstairs to our apartment.
I get inside and see him typing away on the computer focused intently on what he's doing. "Ten more minutes bud, it's almost bed time. You have school tomorrow, don't want you to be tired." I say. He stops and looks at me. He gives me a thumbs up. A knock at the door prevents me from my next move....
I am honestly fed up with that door. I open the door to see a random lady. She smiles kindly at me, "Good evening Ms. Peterson. My name's Lila Hill I'm from social services. I got an anonymous call about how you'd like to surrender your son, Aiden?" She says. I panic. I freak. I never called. "I'm sorry Ms. Hill but I never called to surrender him. I would never. I assure you he is well taken care of and has a happy life." I say as calmly as I possibly can. "Well if what you say is true then you wouldn't mind if I have a look." she suggests. "No, not at all. Please come in." I say nicely.
She steps in. I try to read her face but it's completely blank. "Aiden, this is Ms. Hill. She's from social services. she's just here to look around and make sure your happy and healthy. Why don't you say hello." I say. "Hello Ms. Hill." he says quickly. "Now what can possibly be so interesting on that computer?" Ms. Hill says walking over and looking over his shoulder. "Mommy said that we can get a pet. She said I'd have to look up stuff that would fit with our life, and make sure I help care for it." He said enthusiastically. "Really? How interesting. Do you think you can help your mommy take care of it?" She said. He nods his head rapidly.
She moves on and does a sweep of the house. She seems to approve as she nods her head and leaves.
Aiden turns around from the computer, "Mummy what was that about?" He says. I honestly don't know. It would seem like someone set us up. When I find out who I'm gonna murder them. "It was just a check up. They wanted to make sure you were doing well." I say trying to answer. "Oh, ok." he says turning back around and continuing with what ever he was doing. I was honestly so furious, and dumfounded to remind Aiden that he needed to go to bed.
I was angry, no livid, I am livid.
I make myself a hot cup of ginger tea to help calm the brewing storm inside me. I boil the water and add in a tea packet. I let it steep for a little while and once it's done I take the packet out.
I bring the steaming cup to my mouth, it's surface burning my fingers and just as I'm about to burn my insides the dreaded sound rings throughout the house.
The same sound one would associate with the call of their parent. The same dread. The same longing to ignore it. Except this sound is that of a person knocking on a door. My door. The same door that brought trouble into my home.
That blasted door.
I roughly set my suposed calming tea down to where the sound, for a split second, drowns that of the knock on the door. I storm over and jerk the door open.
My expression far from friendly. I stare at the person. My teeth gritting and grinding together, like nails on a chalkboard.
I look up and see...
AN/ sorry for the delay in updating. my life has been off due to the Covid-19. I will try to update more frequently but that's no guarantee as this virus could cause something unfortunate. I hope you all stay safe and well during these unpredictable times.