Simone and I

Part One

"Don't forget that you have to pick Simone up by 3 mom," Charleigh rushed into the phone as

she got into her car. "I have a late shift tonight so I won't be home until after 10:30."

"Alright. I'm teaching the 5pm class for Professor Chang tonight, family emergency and what not. I'll have dad feed her. I should be back by bedtime." Larenza and her ability to handle things with such calamity is such a unicorn approach to everything to Charleigh.

"Thanks mom. You really don't know how much I appreciate you," Charleigh replied.
"Anytime my sweet girl. Now, head on back into class and-"

"Stop stressing and smell the roses. Life's grand. Blah blah blah. I get it mom. Love you," Chareligh replied with a tinge of annoyance.

Her mom's optimistic outlook on life often made her feel horrible for not mimicking her feelings. Nothing was "grand" about her life. Giving birth at twenty one wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't with a misogynistic asshole. Him leaving her right after Simone's birth was the worst part of it, being broke was just the icing on the cake. Now, she goes to school during the day; and the nights, weekends included, are either reserved for waitressing or cleaning people's houses. What a great life.

"Stop it, Charleigh. You have to have a positive mindset. Things will come together in time. I know it doesn't look like it but I swear it will," Lareza Taylor says followed by a deep breath. As a mom, she knew that it was her job to pour life into her child. Charleigh was still her baby, and since she couldn't help her as much as she wanted financially,she made up for it in her time. "Dad and I love you and Simone more than our last breath. Where you fall off we pick up. It takes a village baby girl. Six more months and you're done with school, you've got this."

Charleigh wipes a lone tear from her cheek. "I've got to go mom." And with that, she disconnects the call.

***

"Mommmmmy!" Simone screeches.

She runs to Charleigh; extending her tiny arms and reaching for her mom. "Hello my little chunky wunky. Did you miss me?" Simone starts to babble. This is what brought Charleigh joy. Seeing her two year old daughter esactic just because her mama walked in the room. She may be biased, but her baby was the cutest toddler in the world. Her skin the color bronze, made her medium length, jet black loose curls stand out. On top of that, she had the most beautiful hazel eyes that Charleigh has ever seen.

"What is she still doing up?" Charleigh says as she closes the front door with Simone in her arms and walks over to her dad.

"Well hello baby girl. Couldn't get her to sleep, she missed her mama too much I guess," Jeff cooed as he walked over to kiss his daughter on the cheek.

"Hi daddy. Did she give you any trouble?" Charleigh had always been a daddy's girl. Something about his voice and presence always soothed her.

"Of course not. She's a perfect angel," Jeff stated as he winked at Simone. "Before I forget, this came for you today," he as he picks up a manila envelope. "Karson gave it to me. You know, the super nosey little girl from next door," Jeff says laughing at his own joke. He clears his throat, "Anyways, It's from DeKalb Superior Court. Did you get a ticket or something?"

A nervous feeling starts to arise in Charleigh. "Not that I know of," she states as she puts Simone down and opens the envelope.

A gasp followed by a pained cry leaves Charleigh's lips as she scans the document. Jeff rushes to her side and catches her as she sinks to the kitchen floor.

"What's the matter!?" Larezna replies frantically, rushing in the room. She picks up a crying Simone, and makes her way over to her daughter. Charleigh simply points at the papers that have now hit the ground.