My Life Would Suck Without You

by Krystal George

  ~~~~

  Plopping beside Morgan on the couch, I took a bite of toast, watching Sponge Bob Squarepants. As I took another bite, a knock on the door makes me abandon my breakfast; wiping crumbs from my mouth.

  “Hey, babe,” Josh said, grabbing me in his arms and kissing me. He gagged, pulling away. “Oh, gross!”

  I swallowed my mouthful of toast. “What are you doing here?” I walk away, leaving him standing on the porch.

  “I thought I’d give you the highlights of the game last night.” Josh leaned on the bench as I sat on a stool. “You missed a mean game.”

  I grunt in reply.

  “What’s wrong with you?” he demands. “And don’t tell me it’s nothing.”

  “I saw you kiss Scarlett,” I say flatly.

  Josh’s eyes flash with anger. “If you were a better girlfriend then I wouldn’t have to look elsewhere,” he snarled. “You should be happy that I paid attention to you for this long.” Before I could respond, he stormed out.

  “Mindy?” Morgan’s voice tugs me out of my anger-whirlpool. “Are you okay?”

  I force a smile. “Yeah, I’m okay.” I take a deep breath. “Let’s go to the park.”

  Watching my brother on the swing beside me, I drag my sneakers in the dirt.

  “I don’t like Josh,” Morgan said. “He’s mean to you.” Grabbing his swings’ chain, I pull him closer to me, and kiss his head while he hangs on for dear life.

  As Morgan played on the Jungle Gym, I sat on the grass, watching him.

  “Hey, Mindy,” AshLee said, plopping down next to me. Tierra and Caycee join us. “Morgan’s getting big.”

  “Yeah, he is,” I agreed.

  “Can I show you a photograph of my dress?” Tierra asked. I nodded. She pulled out a photo, handing it to me. “What do you think?”

  I took in the strapless, chocolate brown silk dress, cascading to a pool at her feet. “I love this on you.”

  Tierra beamed. “I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.”

  “My dress is emerald green with one strap and slit that goes up to here.” Caycee pointed to the middle of her thigh. “Gabe loves it,” she said, grinning.

  “I picked a backless, silver dress and it’s so firm, I have to hold my breath.” AshLee smiled. “Has Josh as-” she was cut off with an elbow to the ribs by Tierra.

  I turned my attention to Morgan on the monkey bars.

  Caycee touched my arm, making me look at her. “I saw Josh kiss Scarlett last night at the game.”

  “I did too,” I tell my friends.

  “Oh man, Mindy!” Tierra said disgusted. “She’s meant to be your best friend.”

  “Yeah, well, she can have him.”

  Hearing movement in Morgan’s bedroom, I realize it’s Mom when she starts talking to herself. “Morgan, go and watch cartoons.”

  “Why can’t you keep his room clean?” Mom huffs when she spots me in the doorway. “This looks like a war zone.”

  “I try, but…” I start, but she cuts me off.

  “You don’t try at all! This is a mess!” she threw her arms into the air. “Clean this up!”

  “No!” I shot back. “Morgan’s your son, not mine. He’s your responsibility. You’re always at work.”

  Mom glared at me. “To keep food on the table!”

  “You never see him. We only see you when you’re rushing out the door.”

  “We’re busy…”

  I shook my head. “I don’t care and neither does Morgan.”

  Mom slapped me across the face, screaming, “You ungrateful brat!” she then left the bedroom.

  Taking a minute to blink away the tears, I stalk out of the room, seeing Mom trying to start a conversation with her son. Morgan ran from her to me. I clutched him to my body, meeting Mom’s eyes with a steady gaze. “Don’t make the same mistakes you did with me,” I said calmly.

  Leaving the house, I heard a sound I had never heard before: my mother crying.

  Wendy opened the door, and smiled. “Come in.”

  “Sorry for coming over unannounced.” I walk past her.

  “Don’t apologize. It’s always nice to see you,” Wendy said. “Would you like a drink?”

  “Chockie milk?” Morgan asked.

  Wendy smiled. “I bought some just for you.” she poured chocolate milk into a Spiderman cup as Morgan climbed onto a stool. He excitedly giggled.

  “Is Spiderman your favourite hero?” Wendy asked.

  Morgan nodded, eyes fixated on the cup.

  “Would you two like to stay for dinner?”

  “We’d love to,” I said after being kicked in the shin by Morgan.

  “Great,” she said. “Cuthbert’s in his room, if you want to say hi.”

  “Are you alright?” Wendy asked after Morgan disappeared.

  “I had a fight with Mom,” I said. “She’s busy working and I’m raising Morgan.” I shook my head. “Sorry.”

  Wendy gently smiled. “It’s good to talk about problems,” she said. “Tell me about your life.”

  I looked at my hands. “My dad died years ago,” I whisper. “Mom’s working, so I’m Morgan’s second Mom.”

  “He’s lucky to have you.”

  I smiled. “Yeah.”

  “I lost my husband to cancer, four years ago.”

  “I’m sorry, Wendy.”

  “It was hard. Cuthbert had an unbreakable bond with his dad.” she wiped a hand over the bench. “No more sad stories.”

  Going back to Cuthbert’s room, I spot Morgan on the floor, flicking through a comic. Cuthbert was sitting on the bed, looking up when I appeared in the doorway.

  “Is he behaving?” I asked.

  Cuthbert nodded. “We’re r-reading about the adventures of Superman.”

  “He shoots webs out of his hands,” Morgan said.

  “Oh, cool!” I smile down at him.

  “W-Would you like to read a c-comic?” Cuthbert asked.

  “Thanks, but I’m going to hangout with your mom.” Cuthbert nodded, slightly smiling in relief.

  “How’s the spaghetti, Morgan?” Wendy asked, watching as my brother shovelled a forkful of dinner into his mouth.

  “Yummy,” he said around his mouthful.

  “Morgan,” I hissed. Wendy laughed.

  “It’s Cuthbert’s favourite meal,” Wendy said. Flicking my eyes across the table, I saw Cuthbert blushing.

  “Are you sure I can’t help with the dishes?” Wendy asked as I stacked dishes on the drainer. “I don’t mind.”

  I looked over my shoulder. “You cooked, so you don’t do the washing-up.” Wendy smiled.

  Stacking the last plate, I heard someone come into the kitchen.

  “Oh, you’re washing up,” Cuthbert said, watching me.

  “Yep, but you can dry.” Cuthbert and I looked at Wendy as she laughed.

  “Oh, you should see your face, Cuthbert,” she said between giggles. “It’s priceless.” I smiled as Cuthbert grabbed a tea towel. “I’ll go see what Morgan’s doing.”

  “Sorry,” I said after Wendy walked away.

  “N-No problem,” he replied. “This is for you.” he held out his hand; a Green Lantern ring lying on his palm.

  “For me?” I wiped my hand, picking up the green and silver ring. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “Welcome.” He watched as I slipped it on my finger. When our gaze met, he smiled.