"Peyton, you're late!"
Just the words I'd expected to hear when I walked into work.
"I know, I'm sorry. I had trouble catching a taxi...sorry. I'll...I'll work late."
I dreaded saying those three words. It meant leaving Brennan at kindy for longer than normal.
"Well good. Don't be late again."
I sighed and nodded before heading into my office and taking a seat before placing my head on my stone cold desk.
"Coffee?"
Lilla, my fellow assistant to the assistant greeted me with a cup of coffee as per usual. She'd become one of my few friends over the past few years.
"Thank you." I smiled, taking the coffee from her grasp and taking a sip.
"Bad morning?" she asked, taking a seat behind her own desk.
"It's nothing really..." I lied.
"You're a bad liar Peyton" she smirked. "Come on...spill."
"Its..." I sighed and gave in at the sight of Lilla's not convinced face. "Today's not a good today. Today's exactly 5 years since Lucas proposed."
"Ahhh Lucas. The love of your life, father of your child. Hmmm...yeah, that's nothing" she joked.
"Lilla..."
"Man, you need to move on. Go on a date. Have a one night stand. Whatever. It's not healthy to stay hooked on your childhood sweetheart forever. Your 24 Peyton...go live like a 24 year old."
"You know it's not that simple. I have Brennan to think about. I can't just throw myself into something that could hurt him. Besides, I need to focus on work right now, so I can earn enough money to get out of here" I told her, shrugging my shoulders.
To be honest, it was hard enough to save enough money to pay for rent and kindy and Brennan's medicine, let alone to get out of this place. I'd sold my car just to get by after I had Brennan, and now I was scrimping and scraping to provide my son with everything he needed. If only it were as simple as Lilla made it out to be.
--
"Mumma, Mumma!"
Brennan ran directly towards me, jumping straight into my arms.
"How are you B. Sawyer?" I asked.
"Hungry. Can we go to Joe's now?"
"Of course. What do you want to eat?"
"I'm thinking a Smiley Burger and curly fries and a cherry soda...oooh and some ice-cream."
"Sounds good, let's go then."
I smiled, taking his hand and leading him out of the building.
"How was your day Mumma?"
"My day was alright, much better now that I'm with you of course though."
"Of course." He smirked.
"I heard some pretty cool music today." I told him after rolling my eyes at his previous comment.
"Awesome. Can I hear it?" he beamed.
"Sure can. As soon as we get to Joe's I'll play it to you."
"Sweet. Oh Mumma...Dean asked me if I wanted to go over his place tomorrow and play basketball."
"Oh...basketball hey?" I hesitated. "Sounds fun."
He was definitely my son. Good taste in music, decent artist for a 4 and a half year old, and of course, looked awesome in a leather jacket. But he had Lucas' blood running in his veins for sure. Basketball was his guilty pleasure. I'd tried to keep it out of his life, but when he saw some kids playing basketball in the park, he'd fallen in love with it straight away.
"Hey Peyton. Brennan. How are my favourite customers today?" Joe asked us as we sat down at our usual table.
"We're good Joe. Mumma heard some cool tunes today that she's gunna show me" Brennan beamed.
"Awesome. Well what can I get you two?"
"A Smiley Burger, curly fries and a cherry soda" Brennan told him, nodding his head in conclusion.
"Nice choice. And how about you Peyton?"
"Just a coffee for me Joe. I had a big lunch" I lied. "Thanks."
"Coffee it is. I'll be back soon" Joe smiled, leaving our table.
"So how about those tunes Mumma?" Brennan nudged.
"Oh right. Of course."
