Mother's Day
It was the day before Mother's Day. Lola was sitting on the balcony in the backyard eating a carrot and reading a sports magazine. It made her think of how much she missed playing basketball professionally. Sometime she wanted to get back into it, but there were things in her life that had to be put before basketball and things she cared about more.
She looked down at her family. Bugs and the kids were playing soccer with an old worn out soccer ball. Bugs tripped and fell on his back and Kristy fell over top of him. Bugs started tickling her and Jacob came up behind Bugs and hugged him. The image made Lola smile. They made her proud to be their mother.
She remembered her first mother's day when Jacob was a baby. At first he had completely forgotten about it. She was just sitting on the couch in the living room holding Jacob in her arms playing with him and singing to him making him laugh. Then Bugs came over to her and gave her a beautiful mother's day card and it finally hit her. She hadn't thought much about mother's day before; she thought it would pass over like any other day. But she realized it was a whole day (besides her birthday)to honor her and what an amazing mother she had been to Jacob in the nine months since she'd given birth to him. Now that they were older, they'd always make these really sweet cards and gifts for her that really touched her. She'd kept every single one of them too, in fact she was wearing the bracelet Kristy made for her the year before with pink and green beads that spelled out "mommy".
Bugs came over and sat next to her. "Hey gorgeous." He kissed her cheek.
Lola looked him over. He was kind of sweaty and there were grass stains all over his sweat pants. "You're dirty," she observed.
Bugs shrugged. "Running around with your children. So what do you want for mother's day?"
Lola shrugged. "To be honest the only thing I really want is to spend the day with you and our babies."
"C'mon Lola. There's got to be something you want."
"You don't have to give me material things for everything."
"Whatever, I'm still going to get you something. I'll just have to surprise you."
Later that evening while Lola was in the shower Bugs got on the phone and called Tyler.
"Hello?"
"'Sup Ty."
"Hey Bugs. What's up?"
"Are you doing anything tomorrow?"
"I'm going to my mother's house tomorrow morning for an hour or so but other than that, no. Why?"
"I need you to keep Lola out of the house until about six o' clock."
"Um, okay. Why?"
"I have plans for her."
"What am I supposed to do with her until six o' clock?"
"I don't know. Take her to a basketball game, go to Dave and Buster's, take her to Canada for all I care. Just keep her out of the house."
"Alright Bugs. Brandon and I will figure something out for her."
"Thanks."
The next morning when Lola woke up Bugs wasn't next to her. She was about to get up and go look for him but she heard him and the kids in the hallway.
"Daddy let me hold it," Kristy said.
"No, you're gonna drop it. Let me hold it," Jacob said.
"How about I hold it? You two have the cards and the roses, just hold those."
Lola smiled to herself as she waited for them to come in.
The door opened and they came in. Bugs was holding a tray of eggs, a cheese omelet, fruit, and carrot juice. Jacob was holding cards and Kristy was holding a bouquet of roses. "Happy mother's day!" they said.
Lola felt like her heart would explode. "I love you guys."
Bugs put the tray on her lap and kissed her lips. Jacob and Kristy crawled onto the bed on each side of her. Kristy handed her the roses. "Do you like the rose's mommy? They're thornless."
"Yeah I love them, thank you."
Jacob handed her the cards and she read all of them. Jacob and Kristy's were hand drawn and Kristy's had a few spelling errors but she still loved them. At the bottom of Bugs' he wrote "You're an amazing mother, and a beautiful woman. I love you so much."
She hugged and kissed all of them. "You guys are the best. Thank you."
After Lola finished eating her breakfast, she got a call from Brandon. "Hey Brandon, what's up?"
"Ty and I are going to mom's house. Do you want to come?"
"Me going to mom's house? What have you been smoking?"
"C'mon Lo, we won't stay for very long. We can go get lunch and play basketball afterwards. What do you say?"
"I say you're insane, but I'll go."
"Great, we'll be there in five minutes."
"Five minutes? Geez,you don't give a woman any time to get ready, do you?"
Brandon laughed. "Happy mother's day by the way."
"Thank you." She hung up the phone and started to get dressed.
Bugs came in. "Where are you going?" even thought he knew perfectly well where she was going.
"Brandon wants me to go to mom's house and play basketball with him and Tyler. You don't mind do you? You didn't have anything else planned for me today right?"
Bugs shook his head. "It's okay, you go have fun with your brother's." He hugged her. "Did you enjoy your breakfast?"
"Yeah, it was delicious."
Bugs kissed her lips. "Have fun with your brother's today. If they beat you up tell me and I'll take care of them."
Lola laughed. "I'll punch them and tell them it was from you." They heard the doorbell and went downstairs to answer it but the kids beat them to the door.
"Hi Uncle Tyler, hi Uncle Brandon," Jacob said.
"Hey little ones," Brandon said.
"Did you bring us presents?" Kristy said.
Tyler chuckled. "Not this time." Lola and Bugs came downstairs. Tyler pulled Lola into a headlock. "So you've been a mother for…um…how old are you Jacob?"
"Nine."
"Nine years! How does it feel?"
"It would feel better if you'd let go of me."
"Nah, I'll stay like this for the rest of the day."
"I'll kick your balls." Tyler immediately let go of her.
"Mommy, where are you going?" Kristy asked.
"Tyler and Brandon and I are going to grandma's house and we're going to play basketball."
Jacob's face lit up at the sound of basketball. "Can I come?"
"You stay here Jake, we're gonna have some fun," Bugs said.
"Okay."
Lola hugged him and Kristy then she kissed Bugs. "Bye."
"Come here you crazy little girl!" Brandon said. He threw Lola over his shoulder.
"Hey!" she exclaimed punching him in the back.
"Bye you guys," Brandon said carrying Lola out the door. Tyler got in front of him and tickled Lola's feet as they left.
Bugs closed the door behind them.
"Daddy what are we gonna do?" Kristy asked.
"We are going to make dinner for your mom."
"What are we gonna make?" Jacob asked.
Bugs sat down on the bottom step. "It depends on what you want to make."
"Pizza!" Jacob said. "With stuffed crust."
"You don't have to cook that. We could just go over to Pizza Hut and get it," Kristy pointed out.
"Think of something we can actually cook," Bugs said.
"Fish and carrots," Kristy said.
"And cake," Jacob said. "Chocolate cake, mommy loves chocolate cake."
"Alright, let's write this down." Bugs found a piece of paper and Kristy got him and pen. He sat at the table and wrote down a list of things to get from the grocery store.
Jacob sat on his lap. "Daddy, can we get popcicles?"
Bugs shook his head. "Nah, we're just going to get stuff to make dinner for your mom. We're going to go grocery shopping later."
"But I want a popcicle."
"You know what you can do? Pour some juice in an ice tray and put a stick in them. That's your popcicle." That made Kristy laugh. Bugs pocketed his list. "Let's go to the store."
Tyler, Brandon, and Lola came through the open door to Lisa's house. "Mom, we're here! Lola didn't get you a present!" Tyler called.
Lola punched his arm. "Shut up!"
The heard piano music coming from the dining room. They went in there and found Miranda sitting at the piano. Max was sitting at the table drinking a soda. And Lisa and their Aunt Ann (Miranda's mom) were sitting across from him looking proud. Lola just stood in the doorway disgusted by the whole thing.
When Miranda was done, Lisa, Ann, and Max applauded her. "Good job Miranda," Lisa said.
"My little protégé," Ann said.
"What song was that?" Brandon asked.
"Beethoven's moonlight sonata," Miranda replied.
Lola rolled her eyes. "Big deal."
"Did you ever learn to play the piano Lola?" Ann asked. Lola shook her head."Your husband is a musician isn't he?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you ask him to teach you?"
Bugs had in fact tried to teach her when they were dating but she could never pick up on it. Instead she settled for singing while he played. They'd spend hours sitting in front of the piano and she sang whatever song he played. "I never wanted to learn how to play anyway."
"Play another one Miranda," Lisa said.
Of course, Lola could not let Miranda show her up like this. It was like when they were younger she had to fight to gain respect and it was like a reflex that she had to do it now. She walked over to Miranda and leaned on the piano. "Play something with lyrics."
Miranda played an Alicia Keys song and Lola sang it perfectly in that angelic voice of hers. Lisa and Ann applauded.
"Beautiful song Miranda," Lisa said.
"You should have sung dear, it would have been lovely," Ann said.
"You know I can't sing."
"Nonsense. I'm sure you can sing better than Lola," Lisa said.
"Are you saying I can't sing mom?" Lola said.
"Not that it was good or anything…" Lisa said stubbornly although even she had to admit, her daughter could have recorded a number one album if she wanted to.
"Come on Lisa, that was perfect," Max said defending her.
"Maybe so, but it could have been better."
Lola glared at her. Lisa never supported her in anything! Even if she was a million times better than anyone there, she was never appreciative of it. Weren't parents supposed to give their children praise for what they do whether they're five years old or forty? Lola snatched the card she'd gotten for Lisa out of Brandon's hand.
"Is that for me dear?" Lisa asked.
Lola took it out of the envelope threw the gift card on the table, then ripped the card in half. Everyone looked at her in disbelief at what she'd just done. Then she realized she just threw four dollars down the drain. "Damn it," she mumbled throwing the half of the card on the table.
"Language Lola. I thought we taught you better than to go ripping up peoples presents and swearing," Ann scolded her.
Lola sat down at the end of the table and crossed her arms not wanting to associate with them anymore.
Bugs and the kids were in the car on the way to the store to buy things to make Lola's dinner. They had Prince playing on the radio with the windows down and the kids were in the backseat dancing. All of a sudden Bugs parked and turned it off.
"Awww!"
"Daddy, turn it back on," Jacob said.
"I'll turn it back on when we get back in the car." They got out and went inside of the store. The first thing they saw were some really big bright red strawberries.
"Daddy get these," Kristy said.
"It's not on the list."
"But we can put them on the cake."
Bugs thought about that then decided it wasn't a bad idea. "That's a good idea, go ahead and put them in the cart." They walked through the aisles until they came to the seafood. Suddenly Kristy screamed. Bugs covered her mouth. "Why are you screaming like that?"
Kristy pointed to one of the fish. "It has eyeballs!"
Bugs shrugged. "So? It's the same kind of fish I get when I go fishing and you eat it. Do you think the other kind of fish I buy from here never had a head or bones?"
"Yeah Kristy, stop being a baby," Jacob said.
Kristy crossed her arms. "I'm not eating the fish tonight."
Bugs hugged her. "I'm sure you'll forget all about this and end up eating it anyway." After buying the fish they passed popsicles.
"Dad, get the popsicles."
"It's not on the list."
"We can put it on the cake," he said using Kristy's idea.
Kristy laughed. "Eww, it's gonna melt all over the cake stupid."
"We're not getting the popsicles. And you," he turned to Kristy, "don't call your brother stupid."
"I'm sorry."
They continued through the store and Jacob and Kristy started asking for everything they saw. Fruit snacks, lemonade, cupcakes, donuts, Frosted Flakes, flavor ice, etc. Eventually it started to give Bugs a migraine.
"Daddy, can you get…"
"Shh!" They got silent. "Don't ask for anything else." They started walking again.
Jacob tapped his arm. "Daddy, can you get…"
"What did I say?"
"This time it's important. You forgot the frosting."
Bugs looked in the cart and realized he was right. They went back down the aisles and got some chocolate frosting for their chocolate cake then they were done. They got in the check out line.
"How are you doing honey?" the elderly check out lady, whose name was Helen, said.
"Fine thanks," Bugs said.
"Cute children. Are they yours honey?"
Bugs nodded. "Yeah they are." Kristy tapped his shoulder holding up some Jolly Ranchers. "Can you get these daddy?" Finally he gave in and put the candy on the conveyor belt.
"So how old are you hon?" the woman said.
"Six."
"And how old are you?" she asked Jacob.
"Seven."
"I remember when my children were that young. Yes honey, they were quite a handful, you bet they were. I didn't have a son and a daughter honey, just three daughters. My husband wanted a son, haha yes he did. Said he wanted to try and conceive again, honey I wasn't having it anymore. It wasn't something I can control you know dear? Honey did you know that it's the male that controls the gender of the child?" Bugs nodded slowly. "So technically honey it wasn't my fault we weren't having a son. Yes sir it was his."
Bugs noticed she had only loaded one bag and wasn't trying to work any faster on the others. "Um ma'am…?"
"So we stuck with our three daughter's honey. My oldest was born in '77. Honey she was the bookworm out of the bunch, very smart she was. Had honor roll all four years of high school she did. My middle daughter was born in '79 honey, she was the most rambunctious child ever but eventually we managed to tame her. And my last one, Kendra, she was born in '81. She was the most beautiful, don't tell her sister's I said that honey or they'll blow a gasket. She had lovely blonde hair, a lot like yours honey. But your daughter's hair is something else. Tell me, does your wife have hair like that honey?" Bugs nodded again. "Very lovely honey, you must be proud. Honey she'll have the boys pouncing on her when she grows up."
Bugs glanced at Kristy. He didn't like to think of boys "pouncing" on his daughter. If the boys she came in contact with were anything like he was when he was a teenager he didn't want her anywhere within a fifty foot radius of them. He pushed that thought out of his head. He still had years before he had to worry about boys going smack on her. He looked at his watch. They'd been there for ten minutes listening to this woman talk and she wasn't moving any faster with their groceries. He still needed time to make them lunch and make Lola's dinner. "Excuse me, ma'am…"
"So what do you do honey? Are you a business man? You sure look like one honey; maybe it's the way you carry yourself. Or maybe an architect, are you? Honey you look like one that would be able to draw all those fancy buildings and such, I would never be able to do that. I can't even draw a straight line with a ruler honey. Are you a teacher honey? It would be nice if you are, I admire a man who enlightens the minds of today's youth. Your wife is a lucky man honey. You know you look familiar. I can't think of your name right now, but it'll come to me honey…"
Even though she was spot on with each of the careers she'd guessed for him, he really had to leave. "Hey Helen, sorry to interrupt you but I have a few things I need to get done today and I can't stick around and talk."
"Oh, terribly sorry about that honey," she started moving faster with the groceries. "I tend to get ahead of myself when I talk and I just lose track of time." She looked at her line and seemed to notice for the first time there were at least twenty people behind Bugs. "There you go honey," she said after putting away their last bag. She examined him for a moment. "I know who you are! You're Bugs Bunny aren't you honey?" she said pretty loudly.
Suddenly Bugs felt like the entire store was looking at him now. He had to get out of there fast before a crowd formed. "Thanks ma'am, gotta go." He grabbed Jacob and Kristy's hands and rushed out of the store. He knew there was people following them. When he got to the car he put Jacob and Kristy in it then quickly shoved the bags into the trunk. Once he was in the car he let out a sigh of relief that there wasn't a crowd around his car waiting for autographs.
"Daddy?" Jacob said.
"Yeah kiddo?" he said driving out onto the main road.
"That lady was crazy," Jacob said.
Bugs chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah she was."
"Bye mom," Brandon said giving Lisa a hug.
"Bye dear."
"Happy mother's day," Tyler said. "Spend that money wisely."
Lisa brushed his messy brown hair out of his face. "I always do dear." She glanced at Lola who was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed expecting a good bye.
Lola noticed her staring at her. "What?"
Tyler elbowed her. "Lola."
Lola sighed. "Good bye mom. Happy mother's day," she said through her teeth.
"Thank you dear. You as well."
Lola rolled her eyes. "Thanks. C'mon you guys." Once they were out and the door was closed, Lola gave it the finger.
Tyler slapped her hand. "Would you stop?"
"She started it!" Lola exclaimed following them to the car.
"Maybe you shouldn't be so difficult," Brandon said getting in the driver's seat.
Lola glared at them for taking Lisa's side. They knew good and well how bad Lisa treated her. Them of all people should know how she felt. "You guys, you know how she is. She starts everything. Why should I be nice to her?"
Tyler turned around to look at her. "Ever heard that two wrong don't make a right?" Lola nodded wondering where he was going with this. "Well, if you at least attempt to be nice to mom, maybe she won't be so hard on you all the time."
Lola sighed exasperatedly. "But I try to. I honestly do. But she's such a bitch all the time." She leaned back and looked out the window. "She's not even my mother," she mumbled.
Tyler rolled his eyes. "I give up." He turned back around putting his sunglasses on.
"Where are we going for lunch Lola? It's your day, you pick," Brandon said.
Lola thought about it for a moment she didn't want to make them spend too much money on her so she decided on somewhere not very fancy. "IHOP?"
"Didn't you have breakfast this morning?" Tyler asked.
"Good point." She thought again. She didn't want to have the same thing for two meals in a row. "Ruby Tuesday?"
"That's good."
After having lunch, Bugs, Jacob, and Kristy were in the kitchen making dinner. "Okay, who wants to help me wash the fish?" Bugs said.
Kristy quickly shook her head. After seeing the fish with the eyeballs earlier that day she didn't want to touch a fish ever again. Jacob nodded eagerly though. "I do!"
"You start washing the fish. Kristy, you can spray the pans and mix up the seasonings."
"Okay." Bugs showed her what to do then helped Jacob wash the fish.
"Dad, why is the fish so cold? My hands are freezing?" Jacob said.
"It has to stay cold until you cook it to keep it fresh."
After putting the fish in the oven, Bugs started cutting up carrots to put in the fryer and he left Jacob and Kristy to mix up the cake (frequently checking up on them of course).
Jacob dipped his finger in the cake mix to taste it but it dripped off his hand onto Kristy's.
"Hey, why did you put cake on me?"
"I didn't put cake on you." Kristy put some on his nose. Jacob put some on her forehead. Soon they were putting cake all over each other.
Bugs turned around and saw them starting a cake fight. "What are you two doing?"
They stopped and looked at him nervously. "We're not throwing cake at each other," Jacob said.
Bugs shook his head at them then handed them both towels. "If you waste all the cake, there won't be enough for your mom, will there?" They shook their heads. "Right. Finish mixing up this cake so we can put it in the oven…unless you want me to take over?"
"No!"
"Okay then. Finish up."
Soon the cake was in the oven and all they had to do was wait for everything to cook. They were all in the living room and Jacob and Kristy were watching Dora the Explorer.
"We have to hop like bunnies through the garden," she said. "Will you hop with us?" There was a long pause from the TV while Dora waited for their answer. "Great. Start hopping." Jacob and Kristy started jumping around the room.
Bugs realized that the cake would fall if they kept it up. "Jake, Kristy, stop jumping. You're going to mess up the cake."
They stopped but Bugs feared they were too late. He went into the kitchen and opened the over to check on the cake. Unfortunately the cake fell and there was a big hole in the center. "Damn you Dora."
Jacob and Kristy came in. "Is the cake okay daddy?" Kristy asked.
Bugs took it out and showed them and they all stared at it for a moment. Then they just started laughing.
After having lunch, Tyler, Lola, and Brandon went to the gym to play basketball.
"I should have brought my ball," Lola said as they walked in. The sweaty smell of the gym was inviting to her. She couldn't wait to wipe the floor with her brother's.
"Whatever. Just use a regular ball like the rest of us," Brandon said getting one off the rack.
"So Lola, it's been how long since you played in the NBA?" Tyler teased.
"Do you think she's even still got it Ty?" Brandon asked.
Tyler smirked at Lola. "I don't think so Brandon. We might need to teach her how to play."
Lola punched his arm. "Shut up will you! I know how to play."
"Okay, okay, I apologize. You still know how to play. You just can't play good anymore." Tyler and Brandon high fived each other and laughed.
Lola snatched the ball from Brandon fuming on the inside. "I'll have you know I still coach basketball and I taught my son how t play. I haven't lost it!" She walked out into the center of the court bouncing the ball. "Which one of you wants to get your ass kicked by me first?"
"Remember what Aunt Ann said about your language Lola," Brandon said.
Lola stuck her tongue out at him.
"I'll go first. I've always been able to play better than you anyway Lola," Tyler said.
They played a game up to twenty points and Lola won twenty to fifteen. Tyler wiped the sweat from his forehead looking at her in disbelief.
"Come on Tyler, you can't actually be surprised that I beat you," Lola said.
"She has beat you before bro. She really wrung you out to dry this time," Brandon said. Tyler glared at him.
"Alright smart ass, you're up next!" Lola said to Brandon. They played another twenty point game and Lola won twenty to twelve. "Ha! I beat you!"
"She murdered you Brandon," Tyler said laughing.
"Shut up," Brandon said. All of a sudden an alarm went off. "What the hell is that?"
"Attention! The gym is on fire! I repeat the gym is on fire! Please evacuate through the nearest exit!" a man over the intercom said.
They saw the fire starting to creep in through the gym door.
"Oh shit!" Lola exclaimed. Suddenly she was thrown over Tyler's shoulder. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Saving your life!" Brandon picked up Lola's purse and they ran out through the other door.
"I don't appreciate being carried like this all the time!" Lola exclaimed. Tyler didn't put her down until they were safely at the car.
"How random was that?" Brandon said as he backed out of the parking lot.
Lola took out her cell phone. "I guess I'd better call Bugs and tell him we're on our way back home."
Tyler and Brandon glanced at each other. They knew Bugs was setting up a fancy dinner for Lola and he specifically said don't bring her back home until six thirty. It was only five fifty five.
"Hey Bugs," Lola said into the phone.
"What's up babe? Are you having fun?"
"Yeah I am. But we're going to be home a little early. The gym we were at just randomly caught on fire." As if to emphasize her point fire trucks zoomed past with their loud sirens.
Bugs was silent for a moment. "Let me speak to Tyler."
Lola handed the phone to Tyler. "He wants to talk to you."
Tyler put the phone to his ear. "Hello…?"
"Do NOT bring her home yet! I specifically said six thirty. I don't care if the gym caught on fire or if an earthquake starts. We're not ready yet!" Bugs exclaimed.
"Okay Bugs. Okay, we won't bring her home."
"Thank you."
Tyler hung up the phone and handed it to Lola. "So Lola um…how about we go to the park?"
Lola raised her eyebrow. "The park?"
"Yeah," Brandon said. "Remember how we used to push you on the swings?"
"What am I, five years old?"
"No, but we can still race on the swings right?"
"Okay then, let's go to the park," Lola said still suspicious about what was going on and why Bugs didn't want her home yet.
Kristy put flowers in the center of the dining room table and carefully arranged them. "How does this look daddy?"
Bugs looked at it. "That's perfect. Jake, can you help put these plates on the table for me?" He handed one to him and he took two others and put them by their chairs and Jacob went and got the last one. Then Bugs lit some candles and dimmed the lights a little.
Kristy admired what they'd done to the dining room. "It looks pretty."
"Good job you two," Bugs said giving them both a high five. Then the doorbell rang. Jacob went to go answer it remembering to check who it was first like Bugs had always told him to.
When he opened it, it was Lola and her brothers. "Hi mommy!" He gave her a big hug.
Lola kissed him. "Hi sweet heart. I missed you."
"Bye Lola," Brandon said hugging her.
"See ya," Tyler said.
"Bye you guys." She closed the door behind them.
"Mommy, come in the dining room," Jacob said taking her hand.
"What's in the dining room?" When she got in there she gasped. There were flowers and candles in the center of the table. And the scent of the food was extremely inviting. Bugs and Kristy were sitting at the table.
"Happy mother's day," they said.
Lola started laughing. "So this is why you guys kicked me out of the house?" She hugged each of them. "I love you guys. You're the best."
Bugs kissed her lips. "Anything for the most amazing mother in the world."
I've had an actual experience like that in the grocery store. Everytime i go to this one store, there's this lady maybe about 50 or so, she's always talking to us and telling us her life story and calling us "honey" every few seconds. it's gotten to the point where when my mom gets in that line i can't even look at her or i'll start laughing and i don't want to be rude. maybe i exaggerated a little bit here, but that really happened. Some of the stuff i put in my stories has actually happened to me before. Life makes for good inspiration.