Although Sage had heard these words and others like them a million times in her life, they still hurt. The look on her face told me everything that I needed to know."Dad, isn't it a little early for you to be drinking?" I asked."Well, look who it is. It is Miss Stuck Up, living in a fancy apartment, thinking she is too good for her family," Dad snarled, his words slurred.Then, he looked around. "Where the hell is my grandson? Is he too busy to come over here, too, now that he has a rich daddy to take care of him and buy him anything he wants?" he hissed, his eyes red and bloodshot."You know I don't want him near you when you drink. I don't want my son to be around someone who is mean and acts like this," I replied calmly. Over the years, I learned that meeting my dad's anger with my own only worsened the situation."He just thinks that he's too good to be around me, too," Dad growled as he took another deep drink."No, he is excited to have time with Michael. But even if Michael w
Michael I sat at my desk, rubbing my neck. My thoughts wandered to Robin and Jade. Lately, I've had to work many late hours since we opened our new factory here. Robin had gotten used to me being home every night for supper. Now, I'm lucky to make it home before his bedtime. A couple of times, we did a Zoom meeting so that I could read a story to him while he was in bed. I had an online version of Robin's favorite book, and he had the book he shared with Jade. I was a little envious that Jade was there and couldn't be. A little tiny thought in my mind made me resent that work was taking me away from Robin. I had already missed so much in his life. And now, I was sitting at a desk, realizing I was missing more time with Robin. This feeling was yet another first since I had met my son. Jade hadn't said anything about my work hours. Since she had raised Robin alone, it likely didn't bother her that I didn't get home until late at night. She might even be slightly relieved by the fa
"Almost midnight, Cinderella. Your coach is about to turn back into a pumpkin, so you need to hit the hay before the bell tolls," I told her. "I hoofed it to the ball tonight," she said sleepily, yawning and stretching. "However, I have an early morning, so bed sounds perfect." She stood on her toes and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before shuffling off. Growling, I resisted the temptation to go after her and shake some sense into her. However, that would be the opposite of what I was going for. Miss Independence would have had a heart attack if I interfered. I ate the dinner left for me and thought that it wasn't half bad. I was positive that my mother would have had a heart attack at the thought of me eating something like this when I was a child. I wondered if her reaction would be the same if she saw Robin eating this. Heaven forbid I tell her about this particular dish, or she would immediately hire a nutritionist and a cook to ensure that Robin had gourmet meals. That w
Jade A loud knock on the door startled me because I was so focused on my business plan. I needed to get my plan in motion soon. I had so much on my plate to take care of, such as my sister's tuition, and now trying to figure out a place that could help Dad. I was even more surprised to see Michael's assistant, Daisy, standing in the doorway with her computer bag over one shoulder and her purse over the other. "Hi. I hope I'm not intruding. Michael said that you were working on a business plan for a restaurant. Business plans are my expertise, so I was wondering if perhaps I could help you in any way," Daisy said. "I've also become somewhat of an expert at helping to find the perfect locations for businesses." I wasn't an idiot. There was no way in the world that little Miss Cute and Perfect suddenly had a helpful itch she couldn't resist. She was here under Michael's orders. However, I also wasn't a fool, so if there was someone who had expertise in business plans which could help
"I'm pretty sure my chef skills will speak for me. People won't care if my hair is a simple ponytail or if my outfit is simple as long as my food is good," I said, trying not to sound confrontational. Biting my tongue, I looked down at my meal as the two women exchanged glances. Goldie cleared her throat, and I was expecting another barb about my hair or clothes. Instead, she asked, "You are now working as a pastry chef?" "Yes, ma'am," I replied. "How long have you been doing that?" she inquired. "Formally, since I was sixteen and legally able to work." "I'm sure it's not a high-paying job," she said, her manicured fingers tapping against her glass. "It pays enough," I returned. "Why didn't you go to college and get a degree like Daisy did so you could get a good-paying job?" she asked, a manicured eyebrow rising as she assessed me. I could have told her the entire truth – I was too busy caring for Sage and Robin to go to college. Instead, I told her what I figured she needed
Michael The next morning I woke up to the smell of coffee. That was unusual because I normally beat everyone up. Jade barely acknowledged my good morning, which told me something was bothering her. I started to ask what was wrong when a sleepy Robin made his way into the room, rubbing his eyes. Turningaround to face our son, Jade plastered a fake smile on her face. "What would you like for breakfast, baby?" "Pancakes, please,"he said sleepily. "Coming right up,"she said. "With chocolate chips?"he inquired hopefully. "I thinkwe can manage that for breakfast," she told him. Then, almost as an afterthought, she asked, "Michael, would you like some pancakes?" I raised an eyebrow."That would be terrific," I slowly said. I wasn't interested in eating chocolate chip pancakes, but I liked having meals with Robin. The tension emanatedfrom her so strongly that even Robin felt it. He ate faster than he normally did and wasn't full of his usual chatter. "May I be excused?" he asked as s
Jade I packed items Robin and I would need for the next few days. I would return for the rest of our things one day next week when Michael was at work. My heart was dying inside, but I couldn't stay here. My hair, nails, and clothes weren't perfect like Daisy's and Goldie's, and I couldn't think, talk and act as they do. And I damn sure don't have the money that they have. Sage was surprised when Robin and I showed up. "I wasn't expecting to see you guys. What's up?" she asked, her face creased in concern as she eyed our bags. "Can I have some ice cream?" Robin piped up. "Sure, buddy. There are some ice cream sandwiches in the freezer." Sage said. He dropped his bag with a smile and ran into the kitchen to grab his snack. Sage sat on one of the barstools and put her chin into her hands. She looked at me and waited. I told her about the entire situation. I explained how Daisy just showed up and took over everything. I told her about lunch and how humiliated I was, although I w
Michael I sat, in stunned silence, as I watched Jade walk out the door with my son. I still had no clue as to what had happened. Running my fingers through my hair, I opened a beer and went through our conversation. After a couple of replays, I was still confused. I wasn't sure if Jade was mad at me because I asked Daisy to help her or if it was because I didn't ask Jade if she wanted or needed help. I figured that it was both. I was also thoroughly confused about why she was so upset about what Mother said. The only thing I figured I could do was to call Mother and ask her what she thought about the situation. So, I decided to make a trip home. "Honey, I'm surprised to see you here," Mom exclaimed when I dropped a kiss on her cheek. "Is everything okay?" "No, but I'm not sure why," I told her. "What's wrong?" she asked in concern, cupping my cheek with her hand. "So, you know how I asked Daisy to help Jade with her business plan?" "Yes," she replied slowly, wondering where I