12. Chapter 11
Jolynn
After crying myself to sleep last night, I woke with a monster headache. The kids are all being loud and my dad isn’t helping.
I changed out of my jammies and into shorts with a tank top. Richard and I are going to have it out.
Send my damn van to the junkyard. Pfft. Motherfucker.
“Morning, Dad, have they eaten?” I asked as I entered the kitchen.
“Yep. And they’re all wound for sound.” He sniffed and read his newspaper.
“C’mon, kids, we’ve a man to see about a van.” I got my sandals on and grabbed the diaper bag. “We’ll be back later.”
“Fine.” Dad huffed and shook the newspaper.
Not today. I’m not fighting anyone but Richard today.
I loaded the kids up trying not to be irritated with them for being excited to see Richard.
They love him, that’s not a bad thing.
Getting into the driver’s seat, I cranked the radio up after I started the car and blasted the a/c. The shop was only twenty minutes from home. I could handle the overwhelming happiness until we got there.
My kids have only known him for around a month. How the hell have they attached themselves that fast?
Maybe because he pays attention to them?
I really wished my brain would stop answering the questions my heart had. If this kept up when we got to the shop, I’d run into his arms and kiss him.
Kissing’s good. His lips are soft.
“Mama, do you think Richard’ll let us see the shop?” Grady waved his arms around like a balloon man.
“It’s probably not safe for kids.” I shifted my eyes to my rearview mirror to see his face.
Tyler had his head tilted. “Hims won’t let us hurt.”
My son’s words gutted me, and I realized I had to face the music. The kids formed an attachment to a man who would never do anything to hurt them, a man who would love them.
Yeah? And what happens when you tell him your secret? It’s not just your heart on the line, Jolynn.
I fucked up.
“Are you okay, Mama?” Harrison had a worried look in his eyes.
Nodding, I made the turn to the access road for the shop. “I will be, baby.”
I drove into the spacious parking lot and took a spot beside his truck. “Do not go tearing into the shop.”
“Yes, Mama.” All three boys deflated some while they unbuckled.
Harrison helped me out by unbuckling Briar and I got Emma. Together, we entered the main office, where Libby stood at the counter.
“Hey guys!” She beamed at us. “How’s your day?”
“Issa good, but we wanna see the shop.” Grady stepped over towards her.
She tapped her fingers on the counter. “The shop is pretty cool. But only employees can go in there.”
The boys looked between themselves and Harrison looked up with mischief all over his face. “Can I have a job?”
“Well.” She narrowed her eyes. “What qualifications do you have?”
“What’s qual …fition?” Tyler tilted his head.
“What skills do you have? Do you sweep? Are you good at matching numbers? Do you dust?”
“Tea!” Briar yelled, clapping her hands.
“My sweet princess, come here.” Libby motioned for her to come behind the counter.
I walked over and sat Emma on the cold wood as I saw a small table, set with a play tea set, doll, and Oreos.
Briar’s eyes lit up, and she gazed at Libby. “Me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She turned her head, and her eyes swept over the boys. “Well, gentlemen, do you know what you can do?”
“I can sweep.” Harrison nodded.
“I’s good wif numbers.” Grady puffed up his chest.
Tyler shrugged. “I’ll dust.”
“Well, in that case. What’s your favorite colors?” She walked over to a doorway that led to the breakroom.
“Blue!” Grady and Tyler yelled together.
She tilted her head. “Harrison?”
“It’s stupid.” He looked down at his feet.
“Boys? What’s his favorite color?” Libby was all business.
“Pink.” Grady looked over at his brother. “Dad told him he was a faggot for liking pink.”
“Grady!” My jaw fell open.
“Well, Grady, I can tell you that your father is mistaken.” She went over to a shelf that had tee shirts organized by sizes. “Anyone can like any color they want. And your dad is a jerk for using such a nasty word.” She took out two different blue ones and handed one to the younger boys, then pulled out a neon pink shirt. “Harrison? Do you like this shade? Or would you like to pick from some of the other shades of pink?”
“I love it!” He beamed at her. “Thank you.”
“Good. Get your shirts changed so I can give you a tour and put you to work.” The office phone rang, and she looked at me. “Jo, can you get that? Price list and appointment book are there.”
Confusion filled me as I went to answer the phone, and the kids changed. I set Emma down on the carpeted floor and watched as she led the boys to the shop.
“Grease Monkeys, this is Jo.”
“I need to see if you have someone there who works on old Pontiacs.” A male voice filled my ear, and I looked down at the girls. “Let me put you on hold for a moment.”
Walking around the counter, I went to the door between the shop and the office. Jeremy walked towards me.
“Hey, Jo.” He smiled and veered to go into the breakroom.
“Jeremy, do any of you work on old Pontiacs?”
“That’s me.” He swerved and followed me through the door to the phone.
“This is Jeremy.”
He chatted with the caller, and Libby came through the breakroom, joining us.
“Okay, so let’s see.” She went over to the desk and picked up a manilla folder. “Here are the forms I need you to fill out for taxes and insurance. Then you’ll find a paper with login information to get your GED. Payday is bi-weekly, we can trade off Saturdays.”
“Wait.” I patted my heart through my chest. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, pick your shirts you want. You don’t have to wear them, but they are good advertising.”
“Olivia. Stop.” I grabbed her arms. “What is going on?”
“Um, this is the hiring process.” She spoke very slowly. “So I am getting you ready to work here.”
“Goddamn it!” I growled and stormed into the garage, looking for Richard.
He stood by a workbench and leaned against it, watching me.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I shoved his solid chest. “You have no right to junk my van, give me a job, make my boys think you’ll always be there and … and …”
His eyebrows were raised, and he had a smirk on his handsome face. “Ya’ done?”
“You … you … asshole!” I stomped my feet.
“Mama, that’s a bad word.” Harrison appeared by my side.
“Ya’ done?” He asked again.
I snarled at him. “I’m pissed off!”
“I noticed.” He chuckled. “But do you realize how ridiculous you sound?”
“You can’t just fix everything, Richard!”
He shrugged. “Bullshit.”
“That’s a bad word, Richard.” Harrison waggled his finger.
“I’m not fixing everything, Jolynn Rose. You said you needed a job, but no one wanted to hire you without a GED or diploma. So we’re,” He motioned to his brothers. “helping you get a GED. We’re helping you earn money for what you and the kids need. And next weekend we’re going camping with 5 kids to have a great adventure.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Your van was a deathtrap. I need your signature on the title and you have a newer van that is safe. You wanna pay me back, pay me back. But I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by and watch the love of my life struggle any fuckin’ harder than she already has.”
“Um.” Tyler tugged Richard’s work shirt. “That’s a bad word.”
“So it is, little man.” He ruffled his hair and looked back at me. “Well, come at me, Jo. Let’s hear it.”
Richard
I watched her fight against tears that were welling up in her eyes. Pushing off my workbench, I looked at the boys. “Finish your jobs, then report back to Libby.”
“Yes, sir!” They ran off and I looked back at her.
“Would you like to sit down and talk?”
She nodded and covered her mouth with her hand.
I walked over and put my hand on her lower back, guiding her to my apartment. She sniffled and I could feel her shaking. Once we were in the apartment, she turned to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, sobbing.
Scooping her up, I carried her to the couch and sat down with her in my lap and let her cry. “Get it out, baby.”
“I done e-serve you.” She sobbed harder.
“Baby, love isn’t about deserving.” I rubbed her back. “Jo, I’ve loved you since we were kids. I don’t care that your kids aren’t the fruit of my loins. I love them because they’re a part of you. And I love you. You don’t love me back, that’s okay. But for fuck’s sake, let me help you get on your feet.”
“Richie, I love you.” I felt her tears and snot wet my shoulder. “I was dumb.”
“It’s what you needed at the time.” I pressed a kiss to her head.
“My head hurts.” She leaned her head back, and I saw the pain in her eyes.
Brushing her hair from her wet face, I cupped her head. “I got some naproxen and my bed is pretty comfortable.”
“Huh?” Confusion marred her face.
“Let me get you something for the headache, and you can take a nap. The four of us can handle the kids.”
“Oh.” She choked back another big sob. “No.”
“Yes.” I pressed a kiss to her lips. “You need a nap or a small break.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms tightly around my neck as I stood up and carried her to my bed.
“You’re welcome.” I set her down and went to get a glass of water and a pill.
When I came back, she had her shorts off, and she’d snuggled under the blanket. I handed her the medicine and water and then pulled the curtains closed.
“We’re all gonna be downstairs if you need us.”
“Richie?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime, baby.” I left the room and went back to work.
The boys tried to help all four of us. Libby managed to keep the girls occupied and for lunch we ordered pizza from Nonna’s.
Libby was like the kid whisperer. She had them all eating spinach pizza and loving it.
My brothers and I all took a turn having tea with Briar and while Jeremy shoveled pizza in his face, he held a sleeping Emma.
“Are we really going camping, Richdad?” Tyler licked the gooey cheese from his fingers.
“Sure are.” I chuckled, watching him. “Were we like this?”
Libby snorted. “Worse.”
“Hey now.” Cooper looked offended.
“Is everybody camping?” Grady reached for another piece of pepperoni. “Like everybody here?”
“Oh sweetie, that’s sweet. Aunty Libby doesn’t camp.” She took a drink of her water. “There’s bugs.”
“But.” Harrison stuffed his cheeks full. “Budserpool.”
“Libby doesn’t think bugs are cool, dude.” Cooper laughed. “She’s a fan of nature being out there and her inside.”
“But you worked on cars?” Tyler’s face scrunched up.
“Little man, you’ve been working all day. Have you seen any bugs?” She smirked.
He tilted his head and stroked an imaginary beard. “Come to think of it, no.”
“Damn straight.” She got up and went back to the office.
Cooper watched her leave and then grabbed another slice of pizza.
“Does you love her?” Grady asked staring at Coop.
“What? How?”
Harrison rolled his eyes. “You keep staring at her. Are you a creeper?”
Jeremy and I both choked on our food, laughing as Jo came into the room.
“Any pizza left?”
“Hey, Mama!” Tyler sat up straighter. “We saveded you some.”
“I put a plate in the microwave to make sure you’d have some.” I gave her a wink, and she blew me a kiss.
“Yeah. I love her.” Coop huffed. “But she’s mad at me.”
“You should gets her flowers.” Grady nodded. “Or diamonds.”
“Where did you get that idea?” Jeremy laughed harder.
“From the tee-vee.” Grady snarked. “Duh.”
This was what family was. Laughter and tears mixed with pizza.