Page 1 of I Got You

Chapter 1

MAGGIE

“Biscuits!”

The back of my hand hits the corner of my nightstand. Shooting pain ricochets up my arm to my shoulder. I clench my jaw, holding my breath as my fourth alarm blares some kind of country-rap crap from one of the local stations. I bring my hand to my chest, fisting and flexing, keeping the curse between my lips. I need five more minutes, but I’m out of alarms. Reality is, five more minutes isn’t going to help a damn thing. I need a year to hibernate and recover, but there’s no time for that.

I flip over on my back, stretch my arms overhead and point and flex my toes. Moaning, I swing my feet off the side, forcing myself upright. My body slumps with the temptation to tip right back over. I need a good shove to piss me off and get me moving.

Knowing I can’t give in to temptation, I haul myself to the shower in total darkness, bypassing the giant pile of dirty clothes in the middle of the floor. My room is a mess, but consistency is key.

I shower and tug on a pair of black leggings and a plain white t-shirt before dragging my butt to the kitchen, where my favorite appliance is percolating fuel.

I pull four bowls and boxes of cereal from the cabinet, hearing the toilet flushes upstairs, followed by the sink, and I know the boys are up. One less battle I’m going to have to fight this morning.

As I pack lunches, Hank slugs into the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and the box of peanut butter Captain Crunch. He takes a seat at the table in his usual silent manner. The two of us loathe morning chit-chat, but unfortunately, life invades.

“Do you need to be picked up after practice?” I break the morning peace.

He grunts what sounds like a “No.”

“So you’ll be home right after?” I clarify, given his current need to test boundaries.

Over my shoulder, his eyes meet mine with a look of complete boredom and a twist of the suckage that is teenage life.

“Yes.”

Garrett and Teddy enter the kitchen, finding their bowls and preferred cereal boxes. If cereal preferences could predict personalities, these boys could be the subject of a psychological study. Garrett is Raisin Bran, and Teddy, Trix.

As the kitchen fills with the sounds of clinking spoons and slurps, I take my first amazing sip of steaming hot coffee. Piss. I push my tongue to the top of my mouth, wondering if it’s possible it’s gone. Shit.

Letting the black liquid cool and my tongue resuscitate itself, I move on from packing lunches to throwing dinner into a little magic machine. Dinner may have the same mushy consistency every night of the week, but it’s healthy and homemade.

“What are you making for dinner?” Garrett’s mouth is crammed full, and I wonder if he could wedge one more raisin in there.

“BBQ chicken and potatoes.”

The boys groan, and I turn to stab them with a glare. “The minute you guys want to plan meals and get your butts down here early enough to whip dinner together, be my guest. I’d love a chance to grumble about what you make.”

I can feel their eyes roll like they’ve pulled them out and smacked me in the back, but I choose to ignore it.

Rinsing my hands in the sink, I see Liv in the doorway, rubbing her sleepy eyes with her bunny clutched to her chest.

“Well, good morning, beauty.” I lean over to scoop her up, realizing soon she’s going to be too big for this, so I snuggle her a little closer. “You’re up awfully early.”

“Teddy threw that snake at me again. I don’t like that thing.”

Liv rests her head on my shoulder as I give Teddy, who’s wiggling in his seat as he eats, the eye. The little wild child is oblivious, as usual. I try to remember the jokester keeps things light when, sometimes, everything else feels really heavy.

“Are you ready for some breakfast?”

Liv nods, rubbing her eyes, and I set her down next to Garrett to warm up her oatmeal.

“Boys, finish up and brush your teeth before the bus pulls up. And don’t make me smell your breath. Nobody’s got time for extra dentist visits, Teddy.”

They bring their bowls to the sink and charge back up the stairs. While Liv eats, I grab a banana with peanut butter and pull a smoothie out of the freezer. A horn blares from the driveway, and Hank is the first out the door.

“Make good choices today’, I holler as the door closes, and Garrett and Teddy return for their lunches and backpacks. “Gwen will be here when you get home, but I should be earlier today. Please try to get your homework done. We don’t need any more late nights.” I shoot Teddy another look that he ignores.

---