April - Gabrielle Newman (reading e books .TXT) 📗

but at least he had someone to talk to. When they pulled up to the school Caleb learned forward and kissed his mother before running off towards the gym. Jason didn’t move. He simply stared down at his hands.
“I got a job over at Giorgio’s Pizza Palace after school. I’d work from four to nine, and it pays six bucks an hour.”
“You know you have to look after your brother and sister,” April replied softly.
“I was talking to Ms. Avery from next door, and she said she’d look after them for free. All we have to do is make sure they have something to eat.” There was hope in his voice, but April shook her head.
“I ain’t leaving my kids with a stranger.”
“She ain’t a stranger. Besides, you left me alone

all the time when I was five

!”
“And I shouldn’t have done it! It wasn’t right!” They both got silent, the rain coming down in hard thuds against the car.
“Well, I need money. We

need money,” Jason finally said, staring her straight in the face. “The car needs an alternator, there’s no food at home, Jessi needs a new pair of shoes, and Caleb has a field trip to the zoo coming up. For once I’d like to see him go on a trip like everybody else in his class.” April acted as if she didn’t hear him.
“I’m cooking supper this afternoon before I go to work, so come straight home.”
“No food, remember?”
“I’ll get food. And Tony’s coming over, so come straight home like I said.”
“Why don’t we ever go over to his place? He’s got that big house all to himself. Why can’t we eat over there?
“I know it’s only been a couple of months, but he’s the fist decent guy I’ve met in a while.” That’s what she always said. “Don’t take a piss on him. Just give him a chance.” She stretched out her hand to rub his cheek, but he jerked away. She hardened her voice. “Anyway, you can’t take that job. I heard they’re hiring over at that factory in Pine Brooke. Pays more than the warehouse, and I don’t like this town anymore.” And there it was. Like a blow to the gut. Without a word Jason snatched up his book bag and cantered away. He didn’t even bother to shut the door.

April went straight home after dropping the kids off. She had an itching to go and see Tony at work, but thought better of it. She need some sleep. Her headache had never fully gone away, so she took two aspirin and lay down on the couch. She was out in no time. When she awoke it was a little after noon. Her headache had tapered off, but she felt even more tired than before. The tiny apartment was silent save for the sound of raindrops tapping the roof. How nice it would’ve been to lie there forever, listening to the melody of the rain. But as with any prolonged period of respite, she found herself engrossed in thoughts she didn’t wish to think. No, inactivity wasn’t an option for her. She had to move. If she was active she could focus on other things. She sat up and tried to pull her thoughts together. Tony didn’t know he was invited to supper. She had come up with the whole dinner idea on the spot. There was nothing to cook, and it was Wednesday. She didn’t get paid until Friday. Jason was right. They needed money. She stood and started to pace. “They don’t deserve me,” she thought morosely. “Other kids are out in the streets or in jail, but not Jason. He hates me, but he still obeys me. And the other two actually still love me.” She was the sole reason her children suffered so. It was too much to bear. She stormed off to her bedroom and plundered around under the mattress until she found what she was looking for. She hastily unscrewed the top and took a great swig. The liquid heat burned wonderfully as it trickled down her throat. “One drink is enough,” she thought, forcing herself to put the bottle back. “I have to see Tony.”

His wide smile melted her heart as he strode confidently up to her car. The rain was on hiatus, but the sky remained gloomy.
“Hey honey,” he chirped as he wrapped his arms around her. “I almost ran out of the building when they told me you were outside.” He planted a tender kiss on her forehead.
“Did I mess up your lunch?” He shook his head.
“I was done. But hey, I thought you were gonna come by this morning after you got off work?” Her heart skipped a beat.
“I was, but Jessi’s been sick lately, so I went home to look after her.” He seemed pleased with this excuse. He had no reason to disbelieve her. She hurried to change the subject. “I know you gotta get back soon, so I wanted to ask if you’ll come to supper at my place this afternoon when you get off.” She looked up into his dark eyes. They smiled as his mouth smiled.
“What time?”
“The kids get home around three-thirty, so four I guess.” He kissed her on the forehead again. They made small talk for a couple of minuets until Tony looked down at his watch.
“I gotta get going I guess,” he murmured quietly, resting his chin on the top of her head. April’s voice was small and timid as she spoke next.
“I feel so bad for asking this, but could you lend me forty dollars? I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need it, and I’ll pay you back just as soon as I get paid.”
“You don’t have to be scared to ask me things like that,” he said soothingly as he pulled out his wallet. “I love you and I wanna help you.” She buried her head in his chest to hide the pain on her face.
“You’re so good to me.”

The grocery store was nearly deserted when April arrived. She was greeted with a cold blast of air as the automatic doors slid open. She didn’t like that particular store very much. The floor had a tendency to be sticky, and there wasn’t much variety, but they were the lowest place in town. She had decided to cook spaghetti. It was simple and cheap. She picked up the noodles and sauce and was on her way to examine ground beef when someone tapped her on her shoulder. Startled, she turned and came face to face with Steve Shipman.
“Two times in one day.” He leaned in close to her ear and deepened his voice. His strong scent filled her nostrils. “Why April, I think you’re stalking me,” he said jokingly. She couldn’t help but to laugh along with him. His eyes were even more beautiful than she remembered. Butterflies were building in her stomach.
“No, just buying something for diner.”
“Ah, same here. Thought I’d cook something to take to work tonight. Tired of eating out of the vending machine.” They talked amiably as he helped her pick out a decent pack of meat. She wanted to break away from him, make up some excuse and leave, but she couldn’t. The memory of that unpleasant morning failed to haunt her as they spoke. Steve’s eyes were too warm and his voice too gentle. As he walked her to her car, she was sure of what she had seen earlier when he had stopped to check on her. His intentions were

seeping from his eyes. She would hate herself when it was all said and done, but that was a while away. All that mattered at that moment was the way his soft hand rested on the nape of her neck.

On the bus ride home, Jason told Caleb and Jessi about their mother’s dinner plans.
“I don’t really like Tony,” Caleb replied after a moment’s thought.
“I like him,” chimed in Jessi.
“You like anybody who gives you candy,” laughed Jason as he tickled her belly. Caleb almost had to yell over the boisterous roar of the other children on the bus.
“Do you think he’s gonna be our daddy?”
“We already have daddies,” answered Jason quickly. He panicked when he realized he had used the plural form of the word, but Caleb didn’t seem to notice. It was best to save that awkward conversation for another day. Jason was young when he found out, and for a long time he remembered feeling like his brother and sister weren’t really related to him. The father they all referred to was just some mysterious stranger they had never known.
“But I never seen him before. You think he’s gonna come back?” Caleb’s real father was dead.
“I don’t know,” shrugged Jason. “We don’t need him, anyway.”
April’s car wasn’t at home when they arrived, and the apartment was empty. There was no sign of food. They were used to this, but it stung harder than usual since expectations had been built. Jason made a split second decision. He called his siblings over to him.
“I got a job downtown, but I can’t leave you here by yourselves, so Ms. Avery is gonna look after you ‘til I get off.” The children were full of questions, but did as they were told without any prodding. Ms. Avery loved children, but had none of her own. And at seventy-one, she was far from capable of having any. She welcomed Caleb and Jessi with open arms. Jason told them he would be back at around nine-thirty, gave Jessi a kiss, and then set off down the street. He cursed underneath his breath as he started to feel sprinkles of rain dripping down on his face. After fifteen minutes he was only halfway there, with ten minutes left until he had to clock in. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar car heading his way. Tony slowly pulled up to him.
“Where you headed to?”
“Work.” He searched quickly for a lie. “Mama had to go in early, so she didn’t have time to cook.” Tony’s face sank.
“Aw man, and I was looking forward to it.” He peered up at the sky. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.” Jason hesitated, but realized he had no other choice. They rode in strained silence, the rain strengthening with every mile. Jason stared blankly out the window while Tony stole glances from the corner of his eye. He wanted to say something, but what?