Promise

Chapter 5

The next day I woke up to the sound of talking in the kitchen and the smell of French toast. I walked into the bathroom to freshen up. By the time I came into the kitchen, the smell of French toast was making my stomach growl. Lauren was sitting at the kitchen island along with my dad.

"Good morning," I said.

"Good morning, love," Lauren said. "I didn't know you were up I could make you some French toast."

"No im fine." I stared at her plate of French toast which was topped with strawberries and powdered sugar. 

"I have work in a couple hours," I said. "I might pick up something on the way."

"How is work, by the way? Your dad tells me you're saving for a car. If you ever need help finding one just let me know. My brother works at a dealership."

"Thank you, but I got to learn how to drive first. Work is going good I get paid today."

My cellphone suddenly rang. Jay was calling. I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room before answering.

"Hey," I said.

"Why haven't you been texting me?" were his first words.

"Dang. No good morning or nothing."

"It's almost twelve o clock."

"Exactly. It's the weekend, baby. I was tired from cheering and being up with you all night texting."

"How long have you been up? The first thing you should be doing is texting me."

I sighed softly.

"You're right," I said. "I'm sorry i was just distracted. I have work at one I just wanted to get some rest in."

"You need me to take you?"

"I want you to take me," I emphasized. "Is your sister working today?"

"Yeah she actually just left with one of her co workers. Why?"

"No reason." Actually, there was a reason. John had gotten deep with me yesterday about his mom, sharing their relationship with one another. I was curious if Naomi could present more answers for me. I could've asked Jay but I didn't want him to think I was prying in his business or make him feel even more uncomfortable about the subject.

After agreeing on a pick up time I hung up the phone with Jay. I poured myself some cereal and headed to my room, stopping by Chris's room first. I could hear him yelling and cursing. He was playing video games for sure. I knocked and opened the door.

"Damn it!" he yelled. Big red letters READING "GAME OVER!" flashed on his TV screen.

"I don't see how you get so upset over a game," I said, shaking my head.

"And I don't see how you come into my room whenever you want," Chris snapped.

"I knocked." I ate a spoonful of Fruit Loops. "So, Lauren huh."

Chris looked at me and shrugged.

"What about her? You don't like her?" he asked me.

"I mean, I don't know her."

"Exactly, Amore. I know you're feeling some type of way but I haven't seen Dad laugh like that since he was with mom. If he's happy we should be too."

I didn't agree with him. Just because my dad was happy didn't mean I had to be accepting of Lauren. I didn't know her like that nor had he ever brung her up to me or Chris to my knowledge. He wasn't obligated to keep me up to date with his dating life but it would have been nice to know he was slowly making his way back into the game. Chris was right, though my dad hadn't been this happy in a while. Sure he still laughed around us and made jokes but his personality was off a lot of days. I honestly worried for him.