Page 3 of Firecracker

It’s been close to five years that I’ve been pushing her away, or I should say Brody has alienated me from my friends and family. Keeping me to himself while breaking me down.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for so much,” I squeak out through tears.

“Mama! You’re crying.”

I whirl around to see my girl standing there looking stressed.

“No, baby, Auntie Izzy has me laughing so hard, that I’m crying,” I say with a fake laugh.

Just mentioning Izzy’s name her face lights up with joy. “An-tee Iz! I want to talk to An-tee!”

“Okay, Bug. Hold on let me put you on speaker but it has to be quick, Auntie is working, and Mama needs to finish talking to her, okay?”

She starts jumping up and down. “Ok, Mama. Yay, An-tee!”

Izzy’s laughing. “Bella bug! How is my little snuggle bug?”

I let them chat while getting myself together, putting that fake wall back up.

It’s fine…I’m okay…

After Bella runs back down the hall yelling for her babies, I put the phone back to my ear. “Sorry about that, I know you’re probably working.”

With the upbeat auntie voice gone she says seriously, “Rube, stop. Don’t close back up. Text me the dates, and I’ll handle everything. If you don’t text me the dates within the next twelve hours, I will be knocking on your aunt's door. Seriously, you need to get away, and I’ll handle everything.”

I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. I want to cry again. She has always understood me. I reply, “Thank you. I love you. I really need you.”

“Did he hurt you? I need to know if he physically hurt you. Is that why you finally left him?” Izzy’s voice is so low that it catches me off guard.

“No, nothing like that. It’s a lot of things and a very long story that will need a lot of alcohol and no baby girl to interrupt us.” I end with a laugh thinking of my little spitfire down the hall, who’s still yelling at her babies.

“Okay, I’m a call away. I can’t wait to see you! It will be like old times.”

I giggle just thinking of all the crazy shit we’ve been through.

“I hope so. I miss you too and thank you,” I reply.

After we hang up, I finish dinner. And like I promised to, I play babies with my little bug.

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