Wash the laundry, fold the laundry. Then Henry has soccer practice for a whole hour. That leaves me time to tidy up the room before the 10 year old stampedes right back in here and creates his own tornado of hell.
Deep breath Swan. One Day you can take a deep breath...
"Mom! I'm ready when you are!" His feet, or cleats I should say, echo all throughout the house like the loudest thunder. Henry makes his appearance in my bedroom doorway with a grin resembling his father's. The big green eyes focus on me curiously as if he's never ever seem anyone fold clothes. With the way I spoil him he probably doesn't know that people even did such a thing.
"Just give me 5 minutes bud. Things have to get done." My son curiously tilts his head and purses his lips.
"No they dont." This boy never ceases to amaze me. I let my grip loosen on his t-shirt. My hands fall into my lap in defeat. I let out a deep breath to keep my sanity and huff,
"Fine, we can go now. Even though we're 10 minutes early and it doesn't seem crazy at all." I ramble more to myself. Henry let's out an adorable laugh and leads the way through our two story home.
The first thing I always do before we leave is the snacks. We can't forget the snacks. The super healthy snack full of electrolytes like Gatorade and apple slices. Lord knows that I'd have a heart attack if my son passes out in the heat, but what could go wrong? It's practice right?
"Alright, bag's all packed. Are you ready?" I question while slipping my phone from my pocket. Henry gives the thumbs up cuing me to click on the timer app.
Even though I have a driveway, I like to parallel park along the sidewalk. It's better this way. Secretly I need the practice and it just became a habit; nobody needs to know that though.
Henry and I finally make it to the front door. There's 20 minutes to spare and it takes 10 to get to the soccer field. Maybe leaving on his own time was a smarter choice than waiting for me to finish folding the basket of clothes.
The summer heat, and the sun, smacks us hard in the face the moment Henry opens the door. His face scrounges and his hands fly up above his eyes to shield his pupils from the sun. I just squint and step up behind him because my hands are pretty full anyways.
"Alright, on your mark...Get set...Go!" Henry dashes full speed down the stair and past the drive way. I swear his run is the most adorable thing ever. There's this waddle added to it since his legs aren't fully developed yet. I mean he's just a kid, that's all you can expect from him. His ambition; however, with throw any adult by surprise. I've never met any kid as determined at my son and fully confident in himself. He works so hard that he literally get's two seconds faster every other week.
"45 seconds!" I call out. My son pumps his hands and cheers out in victory like he's won a championship. Seriously, this boy makes me the proudest mom in the world.
"Mom, we've got to tell coach. Maybe he'll put me on offense this year?" The car engine roars to life as I turn the key. I don't like to raise Henry's hopes for nothing so all I can say to him is,
"Telling someone something and proving it is two different things Henry. Always stand by your word. Show coach that you're worthy enough to be on offense." As I drive down the street I take a quick moment to see my son's reaction through the rear view mirror. That boy hardly ever removes that cheeky grin from his face.
"I'll stand by my word you'll see." He confirms with a firm nod.
We make it with just 6 minutes to spare before practice starts. Henry doesn't waste a second when he get's out of the car. I round the front and hand him his snack bag. In return, he races across the field to his friends after saying his goodbye.
Naturally I'd love to stay, but being the very truthful person that my son is, he told me he didn't want me too. Part of me believes that he's a growing boy and becoming embarrassed with his mother, but he told me otherwise. Apparently he feels uneasy inside from knowing I watch him. So during his practice I find something else for me to do and then I sneak back when there's about 15 minutes left.
"They're growing up so fast aren't they?" The familiar voice sounds beside me. I turn to the source, a very tall brunette that any man would fall on their knees for. That man turned out to be my boss.
"Hey Ruby, how's life?" Ruby scrounges her face in thought and follows me to my car.
"It's good, you know, beside the fact that my son is growing right before my eyes, all is great." Not wanting to be rude, I give Ruby a warm smile and wait for her to say anything else that's on her mind. I know she's itching too. Most times she's bashful and not so subtle so I have to give her a little encouragement.
"You want to hang out with dont you?" I grin. She purses her lips and gives the puppy dog eyes. A thing that she has mastered way better than my own kid.
"Was it really that obvious?"
"Oh yes. You look like your skin is crawling." We share a laugh together before getting into Ruby's car. I told her I hadn't really planned on doing anything, so whatever we were doing it's her call.
I find myself getting out to face her granny's famous diner. It's always the one stop of the town. Nobody can resist her milkshakes or apple pies, but I'm in the mood for a nice greasy grill cheese sandwich.
The only thing I hat about this place is the doorbell announcing your presence. In this town, every knows each other literally, so the little bell grants you unwanted attention. Well for some of us. Ruby on the other hand,
"Granny! I need a strawberry shake stat!" She calls out obnoxious, meanwhile I'm shriveling up in my skin. How more embarrassing can you be Rubes?
"If you don't quit disturbing my customers I'll shove your face in it!" Granny snaps angrily with a stern scowl. It doesn't bother Ruby at all because she's used to it. If this woman were my granny I'd probably piss my pants from that look alone.
My closest friend takes a seat at the counter so I accompany her. My eyes immediately glances down to the menu "Are they here?" Ruby asks.
I don't look up to show how nosy I am. Instead, I just keep my ears tuned in while multitasking on what my tongue is requesting for the evening.
"Yes they are here, Laya's been helping me in the kitchen all morning." Granny sounds as if she's trying to rub this Laya person in Ruby's face. I wonder who Laya could be...
My wishes come true. The door that leads to the kitchen opens to reveal a girl around 15. Her long raven hair is curled to perfection and her brown eyes still holds the innocence that most teenagers no longer have at this age.
"One milkshake for the most annoying person in the world." The girl teases with a big grin. Ruby squeals as the girl sets the drink down. She leans over the counter and pulls the younger brunette into a a death like hug. I'm assuming this is Laya.
"Hey Em, this is my niece Laya. Laya, my best friend Emma." The girl gives me a very kind smile and hold out her hand.
"God bless you for dealing with her. I don't known how you do it." This girl is cute and funny. Props to whoever raised her.
"Hey! We get it already." Ruby playfully scolds and swat Laya's arm.
"So," I question after a short pause of silence. "What brings you to StoryBrooke?"
"Well, it's not a permanent thing. My mom and I just came to visit for the summer. I think it'll be good for us." For second there, I see pain in Laya's eyes yet there's hope. Is something wrong with her mom? She also never mentioned a dad so maybe that's what's causing her grief.
"It will be champ, trust me you two will forget about all your worries before you go back home. I'll make sure of it." Ruby concludes. The happy bright smile is back on Laya's face instantly. It's so contagious, it fills my heart. Without even thinking about what I'm about to do, my mouth decides to utter,
"Me too. Maybe I can bring you to work with me...well if you mom will allow it." Laya's eyes goes big with excitement. As if Granny were her mother, she turns to her with a pleading look.
"Emma here is the town's deputy. I don't see why it wouldn't be safe for you to go Laya." Granny confirms. With that the old woman leaves for the back. Laya looks back to me with a even bigger smile (I didn't know it could get any bigger) and she leans against the counter.
"Your job must be so cool! You catch robbers and stuff right?" Part of me wonders what a girl like this would be so excited for. She looks like she'd rather hang out on the beach to perfect her tan and stare at the hot life guard posted a few feet away. That goes to show to never judge a book by its cover.
"Yea I do it. But you'll really love is the town drunk. Every single week he gets drunk and it's pretty funny!" I inform. Laya chuckles and pulls out her phone from her apron. Truthfully, we completely forgot that Ruby had been sitting next to us and listening. When I look at her, her face holds an amused grin, so I focus my attention back to Laya.
"I want to be forensic scientist after college." She informs. That's very very ambitious and she seems determined about it too, "Can I have your number,so you can like give me the deets?"
Part of me wonders why she would need my number when I can just tell her what time to expect me right now. Something tells me that this girl has more planned up her sleeve. Maybe she just wants to make a friend? Either way, I give her my number with no problem at all.
Ruby, Laya, and I converse for what seems like forever while we ate. I learned so much about Laya, like she's a gymnast and she plays soccer! Henry would love her. What appears to be a girl who loves to listen to pop and fan girl in her bedroom, Laya listens to rock bands and spends her free time taking pictures. Forensic scientists needs a good eye so that suits her. She's like the perfect daughter.
"Alrighty L, we have to pick up our kids from soccer practice." And that concludes our very amusing conversation with a teenage girl. Laya whimpers, but a smile forms on her face still. She gives Ruby a hug first, and to my surprise, she gives me one as well.
"See you guys tomorrow."
Hunter and Henry are the best of friends just as Ruby and I have always been. They usually play alone and not with the other kids. Henry says it's because the other boys are bigger than them, which is understandable. Henry and Hunter are still a little small for their age. The other kids seem to be skyrocketing in height.
"Hey mom! I worked really hard like you said and coach even told me I did great today!" Henry rambles as we make our way to the car. His excitement is always contagious so I inevitably feel for the boy.
"That's awesome kid! Offense soon?"
"Offense soon." He concludes with a firm nod. The click of his seatbelt has always been my cue to start the car and take us back home.
"How was your day?" He asks. Oh why are you so adorable kid? I mean seriously he's such a sweetheart.
"It was great kid. I have a feeling that this summer is going to be a good one."