Jake awoke in the small hours of the morning as the sun was just thinking about rising. She felt sick to the stomach, and it took her a few seconds to realise why. Parents Day. she thought grimly. My favourite!
Turning over, she found a sleeping Hammie, hair all tousled and cute. G-d I love him! she thought, thinking back to the night before. They'd fallen asleep in each others' arms, their tears mingling together as they wept for their fate. It was late before they slept, each refusing to let the other go. We never even said anything at all! Jake mused, astonished. Just, "I love you". That was enough.
She slid silently out of the bed, then jumped back and shrieked as her feet landed in something cold and sticky.
Hamilton jerked awake. "Jake? Are you OK? What's the matter? Jake?" he reached over and placed a hand on her back.
"Umm…" she replied giggling, "Did you bring anything with you last night?"
"Yeah." He smiled softly, "I was gonna take you for a picnic out on the lake but then we stayed here…it was a real nice meal – strawberries, French toast for you, jelly, ice cream, sodas…"
Jake started laughing hysterically. "You forgot about the ice cream!" by now the sun had risen and she could see his face as he looked confused, then suddenly realised…
He jumped out of bed, but fell as his feet slipped on the sticky surface. The look of surprise on his face as he slid across the floor on his butt made Jake laugh so hard she cried. It was still really early so she had to be quiet, but the two of them just collapsed into fits of laughter on the floor as the brown and pink goo continued to leak from the wicker basket.
"Oh shit!" Jake cried, jumping up from where she and Hamilton were cleaning the floor. "It's Parents Day!"
Hamilton smiled amusedly. "Jeez man, you're turning into Scout – Captain Obvious!" he taunted wickedly.
"No, I mean, it's 7a.m. on Parents Day. Your dad is gonna go wake you up in 10 minutes so you can help him. My Mom's gonna arrive and expects to be picked up. I've gotta shave my legs and I can't remember where my shoes are. Oh, and we're sitting in the middle of my room covered in ice cream!!!" she looked like she was going to cry again, but willed herself not. No, Jake, this isn't the time to bawl like a baby, she thought.
"Oh G-d you're right!" Hamilton jumped up and grabbed his shoes "I have to go before my Dad comes – love you, beautiful." He kissed her gently, then sprinted out the room. Jake was left alone in her room, feeling apprehensive. She wasn't even sure if her Mom was coming, but she felt really nervous at the possibility of meeting her new brother or sister. Get a grip Jake! she thought to herself, This is no time to fall apart! She carried on cleaning the floor in her room…