Trying something new.

I'm Done.

Alice's POV.

I'm sick of being bossed around by Phyllis all she does is send me on these little 'missions' and don't even get me started on Rosemary she is such a busybody I can not stand her. My thoughts were cut short by the cry of my youngest daughter Jen. I set the wooden spoon on the counter and rushed over to sooth my teething baby, she had been in this agonising state for 2 weeks now I wish I could just take the pain away for her but nothing seems to help. Her eyes grew wide as I neared her.

'mama' she said in a sleepy voice. I picked her up and she snuggled her head into the crook of my neck. I returned to the stove and continued to cook balancing her ever so gracefully on my hip. It had just turned 4.30 pm usually buck was home by this time but something must have been holding him up at work today.

'Hey honey. How's Jen today?' Buck questioned as he walked through the door.  

'She seems to be doing better but she's still a bit grumpy ' I Replied  turning to face my husband before he sat down in the dining room. 

I finish up the Spaghetti Bolognese I had been slaving over all day , plating it up just as the kids come down the stairs ready for there evening meal. we all sat round the table  and ate it was silent at first before John [my eldest] started talking about how he wanted to propose to his girlfriend Julie and was asking Buck for some advise. before I chimed in

'what about if you propose on the beach like your father did?' buck and john nodded in agreement as buck had know that that had always been a special memory for me.

Later in the night.

I had just finished cleaning the dishes and the girls were sat chatting in the living room. They were all happy but all I could think about was the fact that Julie , such a kind ,sweet and innocent girl would be locked into a loveless marriage like I was . a single tear strolled down my cheek.

'Hey.....hey...earth to mom, are you ok?' Annie was looking at me funny before I realised the warm wet sensation traveling swiftly down my cheek. I quickly swiped it away as I could feel the girls looking at me still.

'yes darling... I'm fine some dust must have just got in my eye' I said the crack in my voice sending may signs to prove otherwise .

'excuse me one moment girl's' I said calmly as I jolted up and quickly swanned up the stairs with barely a noise being made from my flats. a few more salty tears were shed but I knew I had to be quiet as Jen and Catherine had already fallen asleep in there room.  I made a dash towards my bedroom and into the bathroom on the other side that's when I see it in the trashcan; the letter from the ERA ladies inviting me to join .

I had always stood by Phyllis even when I didn't agree with her on somethings she was the first person to actually come and talk to me while dropping John off for his first day of school it was her sons first day to and they seemed to get on as soon as they met each other . Me and Phyllis became fast friends even sitting chatting in each others houses while the boys played and soon 15 years had gone by and having 12 kids between us it was like herding sheep to go to the park or to take them all to school.

But she had always belittled me by joking about me behind my back and even putting me down after feeling happy about how I finally look.  But today this was my choice  the meeting started at 9  and it was 8 already. Changing into my light peach coloured blazer and a white blouse with a matching skirt I felt confident and without Phyllis there to tell me I looked bad it looked like it was going to stay that way to.

'I'm just popping over to Phyllis's i'll  be back at 10.30!' I hollered hastily shutting the door behind me and taking off to the ERA meeting.