Illusions

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Kimberly's POV

Barry: first one down sits at the end of the table.

He knew I loved the end if the table. That was where we got to use our phones at the table because dad didn't like us using our phones at the dining table. To an extent, it annoyed him. I ran down the stairs. Barry was obviously faster than me because he took off before I did. He got there first

Me: jerk
Barry: say what?
Me: nothing

He laughed

Mom: what took you so long
Me: nothing
Barry: we were talking to a friend

We said at the same time

Mom: a friend?
Me: don't start
Jayden: which friend
Me: a friend is all you need to know
Bryant: I don't want to eat these

He said motioning to the veggies on his plate

Mom: you have to
Bryant: no I don't, it's yuck

He said sticking his tongue out at my mom

Me: Bryant, come here

He did and I carried him on my laps

Me: if you don't eat veggies, no ice cream
Bryant: that's so unfair
Me: get used to it, c'mon. Go get your plate

He did and he said on my laps and ate it grudgingly. When he was done, he got down and went to his room. Do four year olds get mad? I didn't think so. After dinner, I went to his room. I knocked

Me: Bryant?
Bryant: go away
Me: why?
Bryant: you made me eat vegetables
Me: but you need them
Bryant: do I?
Me: how on earth do you think I got this big?
Bryant: they made you big?
Me: yeah

I nodded

Bryant: wow

His eyes shone with amazement. I guess he was buying the story. I smiled

Me: and I really don't want you to be like this forever so you have to keep eating the vegetables
Bryant: okay kim

I rubbed his head

Me: so how about that ice cream?
Bryant: yayyy

He jumped off the bed and dragged me down. When I got down I saw my dad

Me: dadd!!!!!!!!
Dad: hey there panda

I hugged him. I've missed him so much

Dad: you're all grown but still my little girl
Me: it's so good to see you
Dad: you too panda

He hugged me tighter. I couldn't describe the way I felt. I missed him real bad

Bryant: are we going?
Dad: going? where?
Me: to get ice cream
Dad: you could just order it and have it delivered here
Me: it's okay. Barry and Jayden would go with us
Jayden: we will?

He looked at me

Jayden: yes we will
Dad: alright then. Come back before dinner and stay safe

I smiled at him. I grabbed the keys

Me: I'm driving

We got in and  looked for a mall around. We found one and bought excess ice cream. My phone rang. Nicholas. I couldn't pick up. I'd call him back later. We got home just in time for dinner. After dinner, I had a shower and got on my bed. I called him back

Nicholas' POV

I was already in bed when she called

Me: hey
Kim: hey, sorry I couldn't pick up earlier. I was busy
Me: it's okay
Kim: Yeah, how's Hailey

Someone knocked her door. She rolled her eyes and sighed

Kim: come in, Bryant, what's wrong
Bryant: can I stay with you tonight?
Kim: sure. come on

He got on her bed and stuck his head in front of her phone

Bryant: who's this?
Kim: he's my friend
Bryant: hi
Me: hello, I'm Nicholas
Bryant: I'm bryant
Kim: that's okay

He rested on her chest and slept off almost immediately

Me: didn't know you had a kid

I teased

Kim: he's my cousin. I'm worried about him and his brother. Him especially
Me: why?
Kim: his mother figure is somewhere in Japan and his dad is well, with her. He kind of misses her I guess that why he's all warmed up to me because he thinks I'll understand him better than his brother does
Me: you're great with kids and maybe you're right
Kim: it's just unfair on us one parent available and the other isn't
Me: I guess that's the price that comes with the wealth
Kim: it's not a price for us to pay
Me: well we are paying it. My dad would be back by October
Kim: December here
Me: you'll be okay
Kim: I know I will

She smiled

Kim: how's Hailey
Me: she's asleep. She misses you. She's been fussy since I told her you left
Kim: tell her I'll be back soon
Me: yes ma'am. So what do you say, we go to a beach when you get back
Kim: I missed one week of school and the first thing you want to do is take me on a date
Me: probably
Kim: I'd think about it

She smirked

Me: you're gonna say no again?
Kim: probably

She smiled

Kim: I'd just have a lot of catching up to do when I get back
Me: it's okay
Kim: lunch would be okay though
Me: really?
Kim: yeah
Me: uh sure
Kim: I should get to bed though
Me: yeah, me too. I have school tomorrow
Kim: good night
Me: have a nice night

She hung up. I wondered how she was doing. I was glad she was finally opening up to me but was scared that I wouldn't be able to provide any solution to it because I was dealing with the same crap she was dealing with