"Would you mind cracking open two more eggs. I need some more for this last omelet." Red explained, looking over her shoulder. She and Nicky were in the kitchen of their apartment on a Friday morning, making breakfast before work.
Red worked at a local bakery and Nicky worked as an intern for a pharmacist.
"Really? An assistant to a pharmacist is the job they gave you?" Red was astounded when she got the news.
"Well I told them I'm doing everything I can do stay clean and- "
"And surrounding you with drugs every day is a good idea they thought?"
"It pays really well. That's the only reason why I pushed for it. Anything more that I can make to contribute to the house, I'm going to try to do it."
Red was touched at Nicky's sincerity, but had trouble believing this was a good idea.
It had been 1 year and 2 months since then. Nicky had stayed cleaned and showed no signs of going back.
"This all smells so good."
"And it'll taste even better. I'm surprised you wanted to help, to tell you the truth. You never want to cook." Red set the plates on the table while Nicky filled the glasses with orange juice.
"So maybe I'm feeling like a mama's girl today." Nicky shrugged with a smile on her face.
Red, getting that warm motherly feeling that only she could give her, walked over to Nicky and kissed her forehead, "I thought you always felt like a mama's girl?"
Nicky smiled at her mother. "Alright, you got me." They both started to giggle.
"So it's Friday night. Got any big plans for the weekend?" Nicky went on to say after they had started eating.
"Well actually, a couple of people from the bakery and I are headed down to the bar down the block." Red said this as casual as ever.
"Really, Ma? The bar?" Nicky was a little taken aback.
"What's wrong with that?" she asked in a mutual tone.
"It's just, you don't really do that. You're antidrug, I thought that included alcohol I guess." Nicky supposed there wasn't a problem with it, just that it was out of the ordinary. And it sort of reminded her of her childhood.
"It's a small birthday party one of them is having."
"Oh, ok." Nicky sort of mumbled.
"Hey." Red reached her arm across the table and put her hand on Nicky's. "I'll be careful." She gave a small smile and Nicky returned it. "I remember, umm, well." Nicky looked down and away from Red's eyes. She stopped speaking as she noticed Nicky's expression. "I won't have anything. I won't even stay for long. I'll just drop off the gift, chat for 10 minutes and say I have to run. They know I have a daughter, I'll just tell them I have to get back to you."
"I'm not a kid, Ma." Nicky said, crossing her arms.
"They don't know that; it'll be a fine excuse. And you'll always be a kid, a stubborn one, but my kid nonetheless." Red could see Nicky was not in the mood. "Well what are your evening plans? Have any?" Red got up from the table, clearing the plates and putting them into the dishwasher.
"There is a new series that starts tonight at 8 that I've been looking forward to starting. So I guess just that."
"That sounds like a relaxing evening." Red said mindlessly, her thoughts were on their previous conversation.
"I guess. But hey, tomorrow they are doing Shakespeare in the Park. Can we go?" Nicky wanted to know.
"Of course, whatever you'd like." She smiled at her daughter who had started towards her room once Red's sentence was finished.
They went about their day. Nicky cleaned some of the house while Red finished a book she had been reading. She would never tell Nicky, but the book was about how to parent a recovering addict. She never thought she would need guidance like that but ever since Nicky's last use, she became worried that Nicky's problem was too big for her to help her daughter. Luckily, Nicky hadn't had any urges in the past 6 months and had been completely clean for over a year. Red hoped it was all over, Nicky swore it was.
A couple of hours later, Red walked out of her bedroom and into the living where Nicky's show was about to begin.
"Alright, Nicky, I'm leaving." Red said, putting her purse over her shoulder.
"Ok, have fun." Nicky didn't even look up in her direction.
Red walked over to Nicky and grabbed her face, kissing her on the cheek.
"Get off of me." Nicky pulled away, almost laughing.
"No." Red knelt on the couch, pinning Nicky down, tickling her everywhere, using her daughter's laughter as motivation to continue.
"Stop!" Nicky yelled, laughing and smiling.
"Alright, alright." Red stood up, smiling. "You see Nicky; you are my kid. Just as silly, stubborn, and loving as any child."
"Yeah, ok, whatever." Nicky waved away, playfully, knowing that truer words couldn't have been spoken about her relationship with Red.
"I love you, I'll see you later." Red started walking toward the door when she heard her daughter call out, "How late are you going to be gone?"
"I'm not sure, no more than an hour or two, I promise. I'll be quick and careful." Red reassured.
"Ok, love you."
"Love you."
She was not yet home 4 hours later.