Deborah Myers had just gotten baby Angel to sleep. Sometimes she was a very good baby and other times she seemed to do nothing but cry. Of course with the household she lived in, the environment she was witness too, that wasn't really surprising. With the baby down for a nap, Deborah could focus on cleaning. It wasn't easy to keep her house clean. The kitchen especially was filthy from another war with her boyfriend Ronnie. Resulting in him throwing dishes everywhere.
Of course, he would because he didn't have to clean it up. She should break up with him. He was probably the worst boyfriend she'd had in a long list of boyfriends. But he worked and therefore helped with the bills. This was why she allowed him to stay in her household. There was just no way she was going to be able to provide for the family on her own. Even with her older daughter Judith working a part time job. She was in school and there was no way she was going to be quitting.
None of her children would be quitting school. Unless they planned to make her mistakes. She liked to think she tried to keep them from it. At the very least they could look at her life as a lesson of what not to do. Things had been so different when her husband Don was alive. She had quit school just to marry him. Those first few months as a married couple had been hard. No one said marriage was going to be easy. They had their trials and tribulations but faced it all together.
Neither of them had the best childhoods or family lives. So it was only natural of them to want to begin a family of their own. Raise children how they were supposed to be raised. With love and laughter. Their children would grow up happy and healthy and loved most of all. And they would love their parents. Apart from each other, it was a love the couple had never known before.
They'd moved into this house with the measly money they'd managed to scrap up to begin their future. Sure the place wasn't ideal but it was also pretty nice. They were making moves to begin their family and their new lives. Judith had come first. It was wonderful for them because they had both wanted a girl. Deborah couldn't wait to bond with her firstborn. They would have a wonderful relationship. Judith would be able to talk to her about anything. And never judge her.
Judith was her daddy's little girl and she was the apple of his eye. They were incredibly close. So much so the couple put off having more children until Judith was seven. No doubt her daddy spoiled her. Being the only child for so long she was ready for a sibling. So their second child a son named Michael was born. Don was over the moon about having a son. What father didn't want a boy to raise and play football with and guide?
"Mikey is going to be a great man one day I just know it."
Don said with a grin. If Michael was his father's pride he was his mother's joy. He brought them so much happiness. Then their third child Angel nicknamed "Boo" was born. They had wanted that baby so bad. Their family was complete and then the accident took her husband from her. Their family fell apart afterward and sometimes Deborah felt there was no one to blame but herself. Even the money from the accident wasn't enough to thoroughly provide for her family.
She wouldn't fail her babies and they wouldn't be taken from her no matter what. She took two jobs including one as a stripper at the rabbit in red. It wasn't ideal and it had to be embarrassing to her children. She simply did the best she could with her limited options. She was good at it and it kept herself and the kids fed. Her children had changed and regardless she was judged as a bad parent. Yes, she allowed her children to cuss. She cussed as well so what could she say about it?
Judith was sexually active. Deborah was a stripper so what could she really say? Judith used protection and that was the best she could do. Deborah often left Judith home alone with a boy knowing what they were doing. She felt she should allow Judith to make her own choices. What could she tell her anyway? Michael was bullied and got in fights and school. In her eyes, her son could do no wrong. So she wasn't sure what was going on. Only his home situation wasn't ideal and he was bullied on account of her. She felt so guilty about that.
She let Ronnie around her children which she shouldn't have done. She often wondered what Don would think of her. But he wasn't here to help her. So she did the best she could for her children's future. She saw so much of herself in Judith it was frightening. She feared Angel would be the same way when she grew up. She feared Michael would think Ronnie was an example to follow.
They missed their father and she knew that. Michael was her guiding light and she knew she could count on him to be a good boy. He'd watch after Boo and Judith would come around. Even at ten years of age, Michael needed to be the man of the house and not Ronnie. She sighed looking at the clock on the nearby wall. He would be getting off of work soon and she really wished he would stay there sometimes. Just send his money home. The phone rang suddenly making her jump and she sighed as Angel screamed.
Great just what she needed. She quickly grabbed the phone deciding to pick Angel up right after.
"Hello?"
"Yes is this Deborah Myers?"
"Yes."
"Miss Myers this is Mr. Sanders Principal of Haddonfield High School. Judith has been suspended for fighting at school. Come as soon as you can."
With that, he hung up. Deborah rolled her eyes. She usually got calls about Michael, only ever a few fights so not a big deal, she didn't usually get any about Judith. So now she was fighting too? Deborah quickly went to pick Angel up and began rocking her to sooth her. The phone rang again making her swear.
"Hello." She said a little rudely as she had a screaming baby in her arms.
"Deborah?"
She sighed. She was on a first name basis with the secretary of Michael's elementary school. The principal who she also saw a lot usually still referred to her as Miss Myers.
"Yes, Leeann?"
"Michael was suspended today."
"I will be right there." She said hanging up. Great now she was going to two different schools for two different kids. She didn't have the time nor resource to get Angel a babysitter so she would just have to tag along. Deborah quickly got her settled in a car seat with a bottle and a toy before turning up her stereo for some of her favorite music. It seemed to soothe Angel as well. By the time she got to the high school she regretted getting Angel out. As soon as she pulled her out Angel was wide awake.
Putting her on her hip she made her way to the principal's office. The office had a see through window and she could already see Judith sitting in the chair with a bored expression on her face. Deborah caught her look and gave her a glare to which Judith simply rolled her eyes. Typical Judith move. Typical teenager, she guessed. Mr. Sanders opened the door for her to go in.
Deborah took her seat as Angel began to fidget and whine in her arms. Mr., Sanders was far from amused.
"You couldn't have left the baby with someone like a sitter?"
"I didn't have time to find one."
Deborah wasn't sure how that was any of his business. She would take her daughter wherever she went if she wanted too.
"You know we keep in contact with the middle and elementary schools. I was told your son gets in trouble at school a lot too. I don't understand why you had another child when you seem incapable of taking care of the two you already have."
Deborah cursed him and she didn't feel bad in the slightest. Her words would have made a sailor blush but she didn't care. He would not question her parenting choices like everyone else and her keep quiet about it. She did the best she could for her kids and that was the simple truth of the matter.
"Miss Myers I apologize for overstepping my boundaries. I should have been more careful with my words and keep my opinions to myself."
"Yeah, you fucking should have."
"Anyway Judith was fighting with another student because he made a comment about your career choices."
"Wait she was fighting with a boy?! If he fucking hit her why isn't his ass in here?"
"Miss Myers please calm down. He didn't hit her. She hit him after they got into a verbal disagreement."
"Well, what did he say to her?"
"He did call her some derogatory names."
"Well, so why isn't he in here?"
"He was and we talked to him before sending him back to class."
"He got sent back to class and Judith is in here?"
"She is the one who hit him and he had no interest in pressing charges."
"She didn't hurt him. So did you call his parents?"
"There was no need. He was fine."
"No I mean did you call his parents so they were aware of what he's done?"
"There was hardly a need for that. We can call students' parents every time they say something to each other. That's just what kids do."
"Yet you called me."
"Your child was the one who did hit someone."
"She was standing up for herself because she was called names."
"Miss Myers I am concerned with Judith in general. She is a bright young student. But students are often making comments and starting rumors about her."
"If that's the case then you should be handling this and be concerned about Judith."
"Miss Myers I don't mean to upset you at all. But I fear a lot of Judith's problems come from home. I understand you are a single mother that does her best for her children. I just wish you would maybe speak to Judith about her behavior."
"Thanks, I will."
At least he showed her a little bit of compassion. Though he was sure he didn't like her cursing like that in front of the baby. She probably needed to stop but hadn't as of yet. As she walked out Judith was still seated her head rested on her elbow.
"Come on Judith," Deborah said.
She rolled her eyes but never the less followed her mom to the car. After getting Angel settled into her car seat she got in the car and started it.
"Judith I understand you felt the need to stand up for yourself but did you really need to pull that shit?"
"He wasn't going to call me names."
"You could have told the teacher or someone. You got a three-day school suspension."
"Like they would have done anything. I'm just like my mother."
"Judith do me a favor and try to do better okay?"
"Whatever." She said simply.
Of course, that's mostly all she got from her these days anyway. They were quiet as they headed to the elementary school. Angel had begun screaming again.
"Lord Angel shut up," Judith said annoyed.
"Judith she's a baby knock it off. "
"I know she is. She's probably crying because she knows what kind of a family she's in."
"That wasn't necessary."
Once they parked Deborah got Angel out of the car seat.
"Judith hold your sister while I go in. She's fussy today and she is going to pitch a fit."
Judith sighed taking the baby.
"What are we even doing here?"
"Your brother decided to get in a fight today too. So he is suspended too. Probably for three days like you."
"Figures," Judith said rolling her eyes.
"Now if you need me I will be in there. If not will be out soon."
"Okay," Judith said uninterested.
Deborah sighed as she headed inside. She certainly wasn't getting any mother of the year awards. Judith sat back in her seat while Angel cooed in her lap. Judith studied her little sister while she began to pull at a lock of her hair.
"You poor kid you don't have a chance do you? No more of a chance than Michael or I have."
Angel put her tiny hand on Judith's face.
"I don't spend much time with you do I? No wonder you like Michael better than me huh? Your big sister doesn't spend time with either of you. She loves you both though."
Hmm, interestingly enough I always wondered since the movie called her Miss Myers if that meant she wasn't married. So, therefore, her children must have her last name. I wondered if maybe her kids had different dads. Hope you enjoyed!
