"You are a deviant little girl who wants to be an adult, and yet you cry when you have a problem."
Savannah tried to interrupt.
Karen held up her hand. "I am not finished talking. The next time you want to get into a stolen car, drink alcohol and live your best life, make sure you have money for a taxi, your pepper spray and a knife in your purse. Because if I have to come get you, I'm coming with my belt."
Serenity laughed.
"Is something funny Serenity?"
"You sound like mom."
"Kelly can't hangout with me anymore."
"Damn right she can't. You're not turning my sweet little sister into you."
"She's my sister too."
"Kelly is not your sister."
"Yes she is."
"Savannah, you don't share a parent. Kelly is not your sister."
"Do you have to be a bitch all the time Karen? Kelly is our sister. It's like you're jealous or something." Serenity said.
"I don't want Kelly to be like Savannah."
"You can make your point without being so mean. We are all your little sisters including Savannah."
Serenity was the only person who could check Karen. She was usually sweet and soft spoken, so when she made her point with a hard tone and foul language, she got Karen's attention.
"Fine."
"Great, now be a good big sister and get us a pizza. I'm starving."
Karen was so distracted and worried about Savannah she was making careless mistakes. A crackhead could break her window if he saw her purse.
"My purse is in the car. Stay here."
"How do you do that?"
"What?"
"It's like you control her without her knowing it."
"You should read more Savannah. You can start with the Art of War. A real boss bitch listens more than she talks."
The bar was still open. Karen paused for a second in the lobby after getting her purse. She recognized a few people from her high school and ballet class at the crowded bar. For a fleeting second, she asked herself why was she spending her Saturday night with kids instead of people her own age. It was summer break, and she wasn't having fun. She needed balance. It would be a boring summer if she only worked and drank at home.
"Hey Karen come over here!"
"Hi."
"Drink with us. We're going to IHOP when the bar closes are you coming with us?"
"I can't. My kids are upstairs."
"Your kids?"
"Yeah, my mom and dad's kids."
"Why are you letting your mom and dad dump their kids on you? It's Saturday night."
"I can drink with you. Let me get these kids a pizza, and I'll be back in a few minutes."
Karen needed to unwind. She took some cash out her purse when she was back in the hotel room.
"You can call a pizza restaurant. I'm going downstairs for a few hours."
"What's downstairs?" Savannah asked.
"The bar. I need a drink."
"You have wine here." Serenity said.
"I need to hangout with adults. Get your pizza and go to sleep."
"I want to go with you." Savannah said.
"No, and stay away from my wine. You can order a soda with your pizza."
"Okay." Savannah said.
"Does mom know you're going to the bar?" Serenity asked.
Karen laughed, "Serenity you are a child. I'm an adult. I don't need mom's permission to drink at the bar."
"You do when you're using her credit card."
Karen was not going to argue with Serenity.
"Sweet dreams little girl." Karen said, before leaving them.