Young Writers Society

Pouring the tea into two cups, I handed one cup to Brad and saved the other for myself. “Thanks, hon.” my husband said, planting a kiss on my cheek. His beard grazed over my skin, and I smiled.

Suddenly, I heard crying. “Oh, Jules!” I exclaimed, rushing over to the living room. My two month old daughter was on the couch, in her cute unicorn onesie, wailing. She wanted a diaper change. I could tell already. If she filled her diaper, it would cause a stink bomb to explode, and right now, I could definitely smell it from where I was hovering over Julia.

While I was changing her, up in the bathroom, I started thinking. How was I going to take care of Julia alone? Brad is going for his business trip later today and it’s for a week. I have no idea what I’ll do for that amount of time. Julia let out a soft snore, and I smiled, kissing her pale stomach. She opened her green eyes, and they closed again, the light hurting her delicate eyes.

“My angel,” I whispered, picking her up again and taking her back into the living room.

“I’ll be leaving, now, hon.” Brad called out. I frowned slightly to myself and dashed back into the kitchen. I jumped onto him, hugging him tightly.

“I’ll miss you, Brad.” I mumbled into his chest.

“I’ll miss you too, Anthea.” He said, kissing me on my head.

Looking up, I gazed into his bright green eyes. “Julia’s got your eyes.” I said randomly.

My husband chuckled, kissed me, and strode out of the kitchen, me running after him. I couldn’t drive, but honestly, if I could, I would definitely have dropped him off to the airport. Standing in the doorway, I watched as he hopped into the car, drove out of the driveway, and left.

Heart feeling heavy, I went to go look at Julia. She was squirming, and so I picked her up.

Ring ring ring! My phone was ringing. Sitting on the couch, I glanced at my phone on the coffee table and picked it up. It was Brittney. We have a long history. And not the best one either. Answering the phone, I laid my daughter on the couch. "Hey Brit."

"Ann!" she squealed.

"How are you?" I asked casually, grinning.

"Way too hyped!" she giggled.

Cocking my eyebrow and tilting my head to the side, and I asked her what had happened, and she squealed even louder. I might as well have gone deaf. "I'm going to have another baby!"

My eyes widened. “I’m coming over right now!”

Hanging up, I whisked Julia out of the living room and put her down in her stroller that always sat beside the door. I got my wallet, my purse, and a couple extra clothes for Julia – because you never know. Your child could do anything.

Humming a random tune, I called out for Maryssa, the nanny, and told her we’d be going out for a bit. I ordered the driver to get ready as soon as possible. In no time at all, we were driving to the other side of town, to my husband’s ex-wife, also my friend, and also my ex-enemy.

You see, me and Brad were in love when we first saw each other. His parents were not pleased with me, but instead, they were pleased with my best friend, Brittney. They forced Brad to marry Brit. They had twins, two lovely little girls named Raven and Grace. Angels, they are. Then, Brad divorced her because according to him, Brit always pressured him with money. I don’t see how that’s possible because we live in a mansion in London, and I don’t think there’s anything to pressure that lovely man with.

“We’re here, madam.” Nate said, smiling through the rearview mirror.

I nodded, told him when to come back, and got out of the car, with Julia in her stroller once again (with the help of Nate).

As soon as I rapped on the beautifully carved door of the two story house, I could hear whining at the opposite end. I grinned, and the door opened to a tired looking Brit.

“C’mon in.” she sighed.

“How’re you doing?” I said, carefully stepping in, and dodging a soccer ball that was being thrown by Carter.

“Oh, the usual.” she started, shutting the door behind me. “The twins are playing games upstairs. Blaize is at work. And Carter…” she gestured vaguely at him, kicking the ball at the wall in the hallway. He had a nice powerful kick. I could see him becoming a great soccer player sometime in the future.

I parked the stroller in the entrance hallway and followed Brit into the kitchen that was attached to the dining room. I took a seat at the plush green dining chair, with Brit just opposite of me. We had some small talk, we read the newspaper a bit, and laughed over politics – just like old times – and we had some pizza with the little kids.

“You look terrible, Brit.” I said randomly, when I looked up from my pizza. “What happened?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, you know what.” she said hurriedly, ushering the Raven, Grace and Carter out of the dining room so they won’t eavesdrop.

“Stop feeling guilty about it! It’s the past, and we’re still best friends, so it’s okay.” I leaned over the table to squeeze her hands, and flashed a reassuring smile at her. Brit forced a smiled, and offered some lemonade.

“No no, you rest.” I said sternly. “Eat some food. You look so weak! And remember, no wine or anything of that sort.” I glowered playfully. Brit laughed, pulling away her hands. “I should go now. And you can call me whenever, right? Anything happens, ring me a bell.”

“Thank you.” my friend smiled.

“Of course.” I said, getting up and walking into the entrance hall to check with how Julia was doing. Carter was tickling her, and she didn’t do anything. Didn’t even open her eyes. Brit and I laughed, and Carter pouted at us, running into the living room. “Take care of yourself.” I said before backing out of the house with Julia in her stroller.

Nate was on time as usual. I smiled at him gratefully when he opened the door for me. I picked up Julia and at in the car. He folded the stroller and packed it away in the trunk.

“How was everything?” Nate asked, as he got inside and started the engine.

“It was good. Carter was wild as usual, and the twins were quiet like always.” I explained, cradling Julia, who was starting to squirm. I fiddled with her clothes and in a little while, the car stopped abruptly.

“Nate?” I squeaked suddenly.

“Madam…” he trailed off.

I looked up at my house.

And all I saw was fire.

Word count: 1152