2. Kiley
CHAPTER TWO
KILEY
“Hey, that’s my birdie book!”
I smile knowingly at the outrage in my five-year-old son’s voice at finding one of his books in my school book pile.
He’s helping me set up my classroom for the upcoming school year by putting books onto the bookshelves in the reading nook area.
When I raided his bookshelf at home and took some of his books to bring to school, I was curious to see what his reaction would be…
if he even reacted at all. I have a one-year rule in my house: if you haven’t played with a toy or read a book within a year, it gets either donated or packed up and put into storage at my parent’s house.
This particular book has definitely been sitting on his bookshelf for over a year.
I rub my hands over the poster I just taped to the wall and step down off my ladder. I walk over to Zander and sit down next to him on the rug so that I’m more on his level. “What’s up, buddy?”
He holds up his book, his eyes narrowed in suspicion, since he knows exactly how this book got here. “This is my book, Mommy.” He wraps his little arms around it and holds it close to his chest.
I bite the insides of my cheeks to refrain from giggling at how adorable he looks when he’s angry.
“Yes, it is, but I figured it would be nice to share it with my new students since you don’t read it anymore.
” This book might be a tad too young for my third graders, but it’s a classic and I know it’ll be perfect on days where we might have time for an extra fun book to read.
“I do too read it!” Sharing is not one of his strong suits, but who can blame him when he’s the only child and grandchild in the family?
“You do not,” I counter back with a smile. “When was the last time you read it?”
He lifts his chin in the air and gives me a side eye while he thinks for a second. “Yesterday.”
“Zander O’Shea, you know we don’t lie,” I scold in a stern voice, knowing full well he did not read this book yesterday. I point to the shelf and say, “Please put the book nicely on the shelf.” I give him my don’t-you-dare-argue-with-mommy look, which usually scares him into obliging.
His little shoulders sag in defeat, and he pouts.
Moving as slowly as a sloth, he puts the book back on the shelf.
He looks up at me with watery, puppy dog eyes, and my heart tightens.
Don’t give in to him, I remind myself, because this infamous look of his always works on my parents, brother and sometimes even me.
“Will I ever get my book back, Mommy?” His lower lip quivers, and I swear to God, this kid could win an award for his acting chops.
“Of course you will, buddy. You’re just letting me borrow it for the school year. Your act of sharing is going to make so many of my students happy.”
“It will?” he questions with doubt in his voice.
“It sure will. Let me ask you something: when we read this book together, does it make you happy?”
He thinks for a moment. “Yes.”
“Does it make you laugh?”
“Yes.”
I smile at him. “Then that’s exactly how my students are going to react, and it’s because of your sharing that they will feel that way. Doesn’t that make you feel good knowing you’re going to make so many kids happy?”
He glances back at the book for a brief moment before moving his body fully toward me and grabbing my hand. “Can we go home now?” And just like a typical five-year-old, the topic of conversation has been changed in the blink of an eye.
“Not yet, buddy.” I sigh. “We have to go to Grandad’s work after this.”
He immediately perks up. “We’re going to see Grandad? Will Grammy and Uncle Keeg be there too?”
“The whole gang,” I confirm in dry sarcasm that my son is too young to understand. He jumps up, squeals and does his happy dance. I can’t help but laugh. I love how excited he gets to see our family, especially my dad, who he has formed a special bond with.
“Can I get in on this fun?” I turn around and see my friend, Audrey, walk in.
She’s another third grade teacher here and one of my work “sisters.” She’s a couple years older than me, married to her college sweetheart, and has two adorable little girls that Zander gets to play with.
She’s been my closest friend since I started working here at the International School of Chicago four years ago.
“I get to see Grandad, Granny and Uncle Keeg at work today!” Zander shouts while he runs toward her. She picks him up and swings him around before settling him on her hip. “Want to come, Audee?”
“Sorry, kid, but no can do. Thanks for inviting me though.” She ruffles his hair, puts him down, and they walk over to where I’m sitting.
“Zander, why don’t you finish putting the remaining books on the shelf while Audrey helps Mommy hang her last poster?” He sits down without arguing and starts cramming books onto the shelf. I know he’s excited, so I decide not to fuss over the mess he’s making and will fix the books later.
I stand up, and Audrey and I head over to the ladder. Without needing to give her any instructions, I climb the ladder while she starts ripping pieces of tape off for me and then places them on the poster. “You’re finally letting him go to the bar?” she questions in a whisper.
I glance over at him to make sure he’s not watching us and lower my voice.
“Don’t really have a choice. Dad called an emergency family meeting, and all of my usual babysitters will be at this meeting.
” My parents have owned O’Shea’s Pub here in Chicago for over thirty years.
They spend most of their waking hours at that bar, treating it as if it’s their third and, sometimes, favorite child.
I understand it’s their livelihood, especially for my dad.
My parents met when my mom went to Ireland to study abroad for a semester while she was studying engineering at Northwestern University.
According to my father, she walked into his family’s bar, and it was love at first sight for him.
She stood no chance against that Irish charm of his, and they spent every waking moment together until it was time for her to come back to the States.
Not being able to bear the thought of losing my mom, my dad persuaded his parents to open another location of their bar in Chicago.
Ten months later, O’Shea’s Pub West was formed and they’ve been running it ever since.
Audrey hands me the poster and I strategically hang it next to the others. “I’m sorry I can’t take him tonight. Luke and I have date night while the girls are at my mom’s house. She can barely handle the two of them; otherwise, I would offer for her to take Z.”
“Nothing to apologize for. He’s not your responsibility.” I climb down the ladder and unlock the hinges to fold it together.
She scoffs. “I know he’s not my responsibility, but you know I consider you guys part of my family.”
“I know and I love you even more for it, but this day was bound to happen sooner rather than later.”
I’ve purposely kept Zander away from the bar ever since he was born, even while I work the night shifts there from Wednesday through Friday.
I’ve been lucky that either my mom, my brother Keegan, or Audrey will watch him while I work those shifts so I can help my dad and make extra money in tips.
Being a single parent, I knew my luck with having someone to watch him would one day run out, and he would have to come to the bar for some reason or another.
“At least his first time there will be for a family meeting instead of a Friday night with the usual drunk, rowdy crowds.” I hated going to the bar as a kid—maybe because it felt like we were always there.
My parents were always working, telling us that one day the bar would be ours.
I’ve made it perfectly clear that Keegan can take over the bar because I don’t want it.
It pulled our parents away from us, and I don’t want it doing the same for me and Zander.
I fold up the ladder, and Audrey helps carry my other supplies to the storage closet. “Do you know what this meeting is about?” she asks while handing me my things after I unlock the door.
“If I were to guess, it would be to brainstorm ways we can cut costs in order to pay our increased tax bill,” I tell her. I stow away everything she hands me, close the door and lock it.
When property tax assessment bills were sent out earlier this year, we were horrified to learn that our property tax was increasing by two hundred percent.
We were not prepared for the bill and are still trying to fight having to pay it.
We weren’t the only business affected by this increase, and the owners have all gotten together and hired a lawyer but so far, it doesn’t seem to be helping.
“Didn’t your dad file an appeal?” Audrey asks.
I nod. “He did, but it got denied.”
“Oh no, Kiley.” She frowns in concern. “What are they going to do?”
I shrug while we walk to my desk. “Not sure, but I’ll bet you he’s been thinking of some crazy ideas on how to make more money. He might even tell me I need to start selling pictures of my feet online.”
She giggles. “As long as you don’t show your face, why not?
Heck, maybe your mom will even join you.
” We laugh and I shudder at the thought, even though I would do it if I needed to.
I’m barely getting by on my teacher’s salary.
If it wasn’t for my brother sharing an apartment with me, I wouldn’t be able to afford rent.
“I’m DONE!” Zander shouts, jumping up from the floor and racing to us. He barrels into my leg, almost causing me to fall over.
“Oof.” I throw my arms out to balance myself, and when I feel steady on my feet, I look down at him with narrowed eyes. “You almost caused me to fall, Mister.”
He gives me a sheepish grin, his hazel eyes twinkling. “Sowry.”
I bend over and wrap him in a brief hug. “Apology accepted. You ready to go see Grandad?”
He lets go of my leg and starts bouncing up and down. “Yes!”