She slipped through the half opened door, her shadow looming long in the faint glow of the night light. She could just make out the image of the little girl, snuggled up to a stuffed pink bunny. She smiled and bent to kiss the slightly damp forehead. The child stirred, yawned, and turned on her side. The movement dislodged a half eaten chocolate bar from it's cove between the pillows. She'd have to talk to the sitter about this...
As she moved through her apartment she felt a weariness creep into her bones. Suddenly, it required great effort just to raise her arms. She loved her job, but the long hours away from her daughter, and the constant demands on her time and energy were draining her. Sometimes she considered quitting--just chucking it all and walking away--but she couldn't. Not yet. Not now.
In the kitchen she removed a carton of eggs from the refrigerator. She'd make herself an omelet, read awhile, and go to bed. Tomorrow was a free day--no work--and she and her daughter had planned a day in the park.
She started to crack an egg against the side of the skillet and noticed the blinking light on the phone extension. She wiped her hands and pressed the PLAY button.
"Jamie, it's Jack. They found Treyco holed up in some flop house on Seventh Avenue. I got the call right after you left. I'll need you to prep him for court on Monday. Sorry to cut into your weekend like this, but it's the only time we have."
She pressed the DELETE button, put the egg back into the carton, and switched off the kitchen light. Fully dressed, she slipped between the covers of her daughter's bed, held her close, and wept.
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As she moved through her apartment she felt a weariness creep into her bones. Suddenly, it required great effort just to raise her arms. She loved her job, but the long hours away from her daughter, and the constant demands on her time and energy were draining her. Sometimes she considered quitting--just chucking it all and walking away--but she couldn't. Not yet. Not now.
In the kitchen she removed a carton of eggs from the refrigerator. She'd make herself an omelet, read awhile, and go to bed. Tomorrow was a free day--no work--and she and her daughter had planned a day in the park.
She started to crack an egg against the side of the skillet and noticed the blinking light on the phone extension. She wiped her hands and pressed the PLAY button.
"Jamie, it's Jack. They found Treyco holed up in some flop house on Seventh Avenue. I got the call right after you left. I'll need you to prep him for court on Monday. Sorry to cut into your weekend like this, but it's the only time we have."
She pressed the DELETE button, put the egg back into the carton, and switched off the kitchen light. Fully dressed, she slipped between the covers of her daughter's bed, held her close, and wept.
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