A Life Beyond (Hard Time Series Book 2)

Working

LENA POV

"Thanks so much for coming Miss Rose. The bus never showed." I said hopping in her car with my son after waiting nearly an hour for the bus.  Normally I wouldn't mind walking the hour to Walmart  but it was pouring rain and I had my son with me and no stroller yet. Of course my mother had one for him but refused to give it to me when he visited telling me to get my own or that Stef should provide one. Her behavior made me and Stef insane because she was doing everything she could just to make things a little more difficult for us to try to prove some point. A point that Stef and I were doomed and would fail miserably.  To me it was sad how she was rooting for us to fail almost daily but there was nothing I could really do about it. Nothing but live my life and do the best I could.

When the rain started I was lucky to find a pay phone nearby and had called Miss Rose after my mother refused to hand the phone over to my father. 

FLASHBACK

"Well look who called. Need something?" I heard my mother ask on the other end as I held Noah in my arms and he started to cry some. Right now she was the last person I wanted to talk to as the rain started to get heavier and his cries more persistent and louder for I knew his diaper needed to be changed and he was hungry.

"Hi mom may I speak with daddy please?" I said shifting him to my other arm.

"No my dear you may not."

"Mom please this is not the time can I please talk to daddy?"

"I said no. Go call your wife. She not around?"

"Listen I don't have time for this mom. It's pouring I need to get Noah to daycare and get to work. Please put him on the phone."

"That is not my problem. Go tell that amazing wife of yours that clearly doesn't provide for you that you need a ride.  And your father doesn't live here anymore. He left me thanks to you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Because I won't support your tragic life he left so thank you for that. Thank you for ruining your life and mine Lena.  Please don't call here again just do not. I told you before you are no longer my daughter and I mean it."

I could only shake my head at my mother as I had just enough money to make another call.  Her issues would have to wait as once again Miss Rose was our saving grace for it was hard to call Stef at work. We didn't have cellphones yet and usually she was out on the road making deliveries so she could be difficult to reach at times which did not sit well with her.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Oh it's fine honey. I'm glad you called me. You know I'm always here to help. I have a towel in the back you can dry him off with." She said reaching in the backseat and handing it to me as I dried him off  the best I could.

"Thank you I really appreciate it. You have no idea."

"Of course honey. You know I was thinking of giving this caddy to you girls."

"What? No, not another thing. Stef is saving for a car Miss Rose. She is." 

"Well until she does how about you take it. It will help with the babies and getting to work. I do not mind honey. My son takes me all over anyway and I can't stand driving much myself. I can use his car too if I need. He doesn't mind. I'm not saying this is the greatest car but it will get you where you need to go. That I can tell you."

"No Miss Rose. Stef and I wouldn't feel right. We already owe you so much."

"Lena neither you or Stef owes me a dime. I know money is tight for you, I understand that but all you have to pay is gas on this and insurance which is not much. What you pay in public transportation maybe even less. Say you will at least think about it. I know you need to talk to your wife first. But the offer is there Lena. And it stands doesn't expire honey."

Glancing to her I could swear this woman was our angel. She just was and we were so damm grateful for her each and everyday. Not only did she get us the house but she also donated food to us when we first got out and had nothing. Zero. My father had helped as well but with the issues he was having with my mother he didn't make it over very often. Of course he tried but majority of the things we got even down to clothes, toilet paper and cereal had been from Miss Rose and her church.

"Just think about it baby. Plus you can teach Callie to drive as well. Now tell me how things are going, talk to me. How are you and Stef?"

"Oh Stef and I are always good." I smiled just by the mere mention of my wife's name for it was true. We were usually good. Of course we had our fights but for the most part she made me happy." I mean she amazes me. She does and I never thought I could love her even more. But I do. I mean we are still adjusting and sometimes she forgets she can't go around threatening people, which can get challenging." I said laughing as I took out a snack for Noah and he munched happily.

"Ha I know that. I saw it. She means well she's just tough always has been always will be."

"That she is. It's one of the things I like about her. But it's a difficult adjustment I guess. Even for me and I wasn't even in Chowchilla as long as you or her. Sometimes I wake up and forget. Stef does too because she has horrible nightmares at times."

"Because that place was a nightmare baby. It was and I understand. Very much so. All of us pretended it wasn't and tried to survive the best we could and of course we are going to feel the effects when we get out. I still struggle with nightmares myself and I've spoken to Stef about hers. But it gets better baby and it takes time but it does. The point is you both and Callie have a support system which I love being and will continue to be for you all.  Speaking of which how are things with your mother?" 

"Not too good. My father left her and she's been a nightmare."

"MM. Really?"

"Yes and I can't help but feel like it's my fault. If I had not been so dumb and ended up in jail in the first place. But then if I had not I would have never met Stef who I love more then anything. I don't know it's, I don't know Miss Rose."

"Honey your parents issues is not your fault. It isn't and you don't know what issues they have had or always had. Believe me. Yes prison can put a strain on a family. It definitely can but there is more then one reason why your father may be leaving your mother and  it has nothing to do with you baby. I know  life changed for you and life is like that and I know it's hard that your mother does not accept Stef or your marriage. I'm sure she has her reasons even if they do not help. At all. Maybe one day she will come around honey until then you live your life and don't feel guilty about the past or your wife. The both of you are making a beautiful life with your kids and each other despite everything. Remember that."

"I will and thank you. Thank you for always being there for us."

"Honey it's my pleasure. I love you all very much." She said gently resting her hand in my arm.

"We love you too and Stef is still very sorry."

"Baby that is water under the bridge. I told her that and I'm telling you. I forgave her ages ago and my fingers are fine. They are. See?" She said wiggling them in front of me as I smiled. "Now lets get you to work and I can look around myself to see if they have anything new out. Christmas is coming."

"Oh I know and it's all I can do to prevent my wife from spoiling all of us to death."

"Let her baby. She loves you all so much. Let her." Smiling at her she held my hand tight as I glanced out the passenger window. Yes my life was much different and never in a million years did I think it would end up this way. Never but the truth was I was happy with Stef and she was my life and my world. Forever.