I woke friday morning to my alarm blaring, I rolled over and glared at it. Ugh it was too early. I contemplated snoozing it but I knew I had to get Aiden ready for school.
I roll over out of bed and slump over to the bathroom. I do my business and get out. I put on my house slippers and walk groggily towards the kitchen. I start my coffee and decide to make cinnamon pancakes for breakfast. I get bacon going as a protein and start on the batter. I crack the eggs into the bowl and stir in the other ingredients measuring as I go. I dump in some vanilla extract and dust in a lot of cinnamon. I beat it all together and pour it onto the pre heated pan. Once I've made about 8, I cover the batter in plastic wrap and shove it in the fridge. I set out some milk, the bacon and 3 pancakes on a plate for Aiden.
After his breakfast is done I go to his room to wake him. I see he's still sound asleep and decide to let him sleep a little longer. I instead pick out an outfit for him. I set out his shoes, and get his school bag ready making sure his homework is in there. I spent a good ten minutes on that and decide I have to wake him up or else he'd be late. I enter his room and gently shake him awake. He sits up and rubs his eyes. "Ugh, mhm, what time is it?" he says sleepily. "It's almost 8, I let you sleep in a little but you gotta get up and get dressed. Breakfast is on the table and I already packed your bag." He gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom to get ready.
While he was doing that I sat down at the table and drank my coffee and ate a few pancakes. He came into the kitchen ten minutes later dressed and somewhat presentable. I let it slide as we had a rough night. He scarfed the food down and guzzled his milk. It was soon time to leave and we left for school. I once again dropped him off at his class and started to leave after saying goodbye. "Um, excuse me, Ms. Peterson, I'm Aiden's teacher, Mrs. rodriguez, is it ok if I talk to you for a moment?" She says. I was very confused, as far as I knew Aiden was a perfect student. "Of course, is everything ok?" I ask worried, "Well I'm sure your well aware of your home situation, and so is Aiden, and we'll some of the other students are starting to catch on as well." she says pausing. "It's just that some of the students are making fun of him for not having the nicest things. I've told them repeatedly that everyone is different and that you don't need fancy things but they don't listen to me." She says aggravated, "My point is, your son's being bullied." she says sharply. "I mean I've always known he gets teased, But there's really not much else I can do. I can't very well yell at a bunch of kindergartners. Can I? And I most certainly can't help our money situation. I have a full time job and I pick up little gigs here and there, like yard work or help moving furniture, stuff like that." I explain. "My son has a very strong heart. He knows how much I do for him and he's not going to let some dumb kids bring him down. Sometimes it gets to him and we work it out together. In the end he doesn't let it bother him to much." I state. "If that is all, I'm late for work. If you'd like to continue this conversation please schedule a parent teacher conference so that I might take off of work." I say.
I had nothing to worry about. Sure my son gets teased, but I never see him upset over it. There are a few times like with his father that it bothers him, but I'm hoping our conversation yesterday helped with that a little. If it didn't then we can talk more about it.
I leave the school and walk as quick as possible to work. Once I enter the shop I get right to work. I take down people's orders and bring out there food. I fall into a happy rhythm and before I know it the work day is over.
I wave goodbye to Tom as Manny's shift ended a few hours ago and head off towards the school. I sit at my usual spot and wait for the bell to ring. After a few minutes I glance at my watch to see I'm ten minutes early. School for Aiden ends at 3:30, and it's currently 3:21. Might as well catch up on my non-existent social life. I pull out my phone and scroll through Instagram. Looks like Gramps and nanna are doing well, I should call them later. They probably want to know how Aiden is doing. Maybe when school's out we can go pay them a visit.
I continue scrolling looking at all the adventures my highschool friends are going on. Parties, cruises, traveling, finding love, ect. I would have been able to do all those things if I didn't have sex at an early age. Don't get me wrong I love my son, but I haven't had a chance to figure myself out yet, know what I want to do in life. There were many set backs and I'm lucky my Grams and Gramps were there to help me sort it out.
My thoughts were interrupted by the bells ring. I put my phone away and stand up as I see Aiden running towards me. He slammed into my legs nearly knocking me over. He wrapped his arms around me in a viporous hug. "Hey kiddo, how was school?" I ask. He looks up at me beaming. "It was awsome, I made a new friend! His name is Mason and he just moved here!" He exclaimed happily. "That's great kid! Maybe you can invite him over to hangout sometime?" I say hopefully. He's never been this excited over a new friend before. This kid must be very special. "Yeah! I can ask him on Monday!!" He said bouncing up and down.
I scoop him up and place him onto my shoulders. We walk home happily chatting about his new friend. Turns out Mason and Aiden have a lot in common, for instance, Mason doesn't have a mom. Now it's not something to be happy about, but it means they both only have one parent and have something deep to bond over. The best part is, this boy won't make fun of Aiden for only having one parent in the picture. It's a big win for my son, and in light of this news I decided it's time to get a new family member.
"Hey kid, what do you want for dinner?" I ask "Macaroni!!" He bellowed. "Macaroni it is. I have a surprise for you after dinner." I say happily. His face lights up with joy. Just seeing him smile so carefree made my heart swell with warmth and joy.
Once we got home I marched up the stairs tightly holding on to him so he won't fall off my shoulders. Once we got to our floor we were met by a stranger. "Excuse me, are you Ms. Peterson?" He said. I nodded my head my smile slowly fading. "My name is Justin, I'm from social services. Someone mentioned that you were unfit to care for your son, Aiden?" I was in absolute shock. I unlocked the door and got Aiden from off my shoulders. "Why don't you go inside and wash up for dinner, and set the table. I'll be in to help you in a few minutes." I say ushering him inside.
Once he was in the house I close the door quietly and face Justin. "I don't know who called, and quite frankly I don't care. What I do care about is how someone could say that I'm an unfit parent. What did they tell you?" I ask. "Umm, they said you were mean to him. That you beat him and force him to do labor work." He said going through a pad of notes. "But it would seem they may have been mistaken because from what I saw, you were both smiling. There were no signs of injury to him. He was riding on your shoulders and you didn't once let go. Is it ok if I go have a chat with him?" he questioned. I nodded my head and ushered him into the house. I went to Aiden and introduced him, "Aiden this is Justin, from social services, he wants to talk to you for a few minutes." I say, Aiden only nods his head and they take a seat at the kitchen table.
I didn't really pay attention to their conversation as my thoughts were consumed by the reality of this. To be honest while I do take care of him and give him mostly everything he ever wants, to the government it's not enough. I don't technically make enough money to keep him.
I decide to get our GuEsT some water. I pull out a glass and fill it with water and some ice. I place it down on the table in front of him and he nods his head in thanks. I figured I'd get Aiden a juice pouch since I gave Justin something to drink. I hand Aiden the box, which he happily takes, and go into my room. I wait for the talking to stop and after ten minutes it does. I creep out of the room and slowly make my way to the two guys.
Justin stands up slowly and faces me. I gulp worried about Aiden. "From what your son tells me your a great mother. He also says that you struggle to pay rent. You and I both know that, that's a problem. You have a job yes?" he says. "Yes, I have a job. I was only struggling because we'd just moved here and I couldn't find a consistent place of work. I pick up odd jobs but it's not enough for rent. But with this new job and the other small jobs I have plenty of money for rent and proper child care." I explain. He nods his head slowly. "I'm gonna need proof of said job. For now that is all, I will be going. Please bring in a statement and proof of your job, I'm also going to need you to sign here as proof of my visit here today." he said tapping a paper with a pen.
I sign the document and show him out. After he leaves I slide down the door in relief. I don't know how many more visits from social services I can take. Aiden starts setting the table and I start boiling water for the macaroni.
Less than 30 minutes later we're quietly eating dinner. Once we're done I take the plates and put them in the sink. "Ok kiddo, get your coat, it's time for your surprise." I say as happy as possible. He rushes to the door and throws on his boots and coat. I grab my sweatshirt and purse and we head out the door.
We get on the bus and take it to the other side of town where we get off and head to the shopping plaza. His eyes light up in pure happiness as he sees where we are headed.
We walk through the entrance and head up the escalator to the 2nd floor. We walk by a few shops and stop in front of the pet store. He breaks off in a sprint through the store going to who knows where. I follow behind him and once I'm caught up I see him staring intently at the rodents and other small animals. "Mummy I know which one I want!" he exclaims. "And which one is that?" I question. "I want a bunny, they are small, easy to take care of, and they're on the list of pets our landlord allows!" He yells excitedly. "Ok baby, keep your voice down, we don't want to disturb the other costumers." I say. He nods his head and looks back up to me expectedly.
I think it over in my head, we weren't going home with the rabbit today, but we could get some things it needs. Provided Aiden knows what it needs. "Ok, what does a bunny need?" I ask. "It needs a food and water dish, It needs food and hay, they also need a bathroom, and LOTS OF TOYS!!" he says boisterously. I put my finger to my lips to tell him to keep it down to which he nods his head. "Ok, why don't you go pick out 4 toys and a water and food dish. I'll go get a litter tray and some litter and some food. When your done you meet me here, no where else." I say sternly. He nods his head and runs off.
I'd already researched the pets he could have and luckily a rabbit was one of them. I pick up a litter tray with high walls and a medium sized hay feeder. I get the best food the store could offer and a bundle of hay. Once I had the items I make my way back towards the rabbit cages. I see he's not there yet so I go look down the toy isle. I see him in deep thought over two different toys. Finally he picks one and turns around. He spots me and puts the water dishes and toys in our basket. "You all set bud?" I ask. He nods his heads yes and we go check out. "But mummy what about the bunny?" He asks sadly. "We can't get him yet, we have to let Mr. Piggy know we're getting a pet. We'll get him soon I promise. Besides where's he gonna sleep? He doesn't have an enclosure yet." I explain.
He nods his head but I could still tell he was disheartened. We pay for the stuff and might I say it was very pricey. We head home with our goods and soon we're walking through the door.
I set the stuff down on the counter and I go to the living room. "How about we put him there? It's a big open space and there's no nook's or crannies he can get stuck in." I suggest. We hadn't alot of furniture so our living room was pretty bare. There was a big empty space in the corner perfect for the bunny. "But what if I wanted to sleep with him?" Aiden asks. "We can talk about it when we have the bunny, ok?" I say, he nods his head. "Now go get ready for bed, we have a lot to do tomorrow." I say. He nods his head and trudges to his room.
While he does that I walk over to the kitchen and start cleaning up after dinner. When I was about halfway through Aiden comes out from his room and starts rummaging through the rabbits stuff. He sets up a little area in the corner of the room for the rabbit. He stays there for a bit and then slowly walks away to his room.
I finish up the dishes and go tuck him in to bed. I kiss him goodnight and close his door quietly behind me. I go tidy up the house as it was becoming a mess, and quite frankly I couldn't sleep. While I was cleaning my phone buzzed....
UNKNOWN: r we still on 4 tomorrow?
ME: Yes we are still on, what time?
UNKNOWN:...11:00 I'll have clothes for you to wear. I'll be there at exactly 11 so be ready.
ME: ok, see you then:-)
Ugh, I almost forgot, I have to find a babysitter for Aiden tomorrow night. I don't think this job is exactly kid friendly. I look up nearby babysitters and find a few websites.
I click on the one with the highest reviews and scroll through reading their info. Halfway through I yawned and looked at the time, 10:00. I'm gonna head to bed, I know I'm gonna have a long night tomorrow.
With that I head to bed.....