Raising Zion

Hazel Dunlop West

It's been seven years since I divorced my husband after I found out he was cheating on me with my best friend. After the divorce, I found out I was pregnant with his son, so I moved away from New York to Germany to raise my son away from him and his lies. A new city, a new job, a new life, a new house, new everything.

"Rise and shine, Zion" I said, opening the windows of my son's room.

"Mommy, I still want to sleeeppp" he groans "can't I just skip school today?"

I walked over to his bed and sat on it carrying him on my lap.

"Zion, what is it you want to become in the future again" I asked, looking at his cute face.

"Mommy, I can't believe you forgot. I keep saying it every day" he said every day, folding his little hands.

"I'm so sorry, can you just remind mommy, I promise I won't forget it" I said, acting like I had forgotten.

"I want to become a detective and catch bad people" he said, putting his hands on his waist. "Now don't forget next time mommy, or I won't be your friend anymore."

"I never forgot my darling, I just wanted you to say it. If you don't go to school every day, how will you become a detective", I asked.

"OK fine, I'll go to school" he said, getting off of my lap and grabbing his towel.

"That's a good boy" I said, raising my hands just a little above his head for a high five which he jumped excitedly to reach.

"Do you need help in the shower" I asked, already knowing his response.

"Of course, not mommy. Big boys don't need help in the shower, and I'm a big boy" he said for the third time this week.

I let out a chuckle "alright then, shower and dress up. I'm going to make breakfast" I said, unhanging his uniform and putting it on the bed for him.

I headed down to the kitchen and ritualistically put on my favorite song bloom by Aqyuila and started cooking.

A few minutes later, Zion comes down fully dressed and sits in the dining room waiting for breakfast. I serve him toasted bread and eggs with tea and pack him some spaghetti and meatballs in his lunch box for school. While he was eating, I headed upstairs and quickly took a shower and came out with my hair wrapped in a towel. I apply some lotion to my skin and put on panties and my bra. I strut over to my wardrobe and take out a pair of slacks and a flowery designed blouse and put them on. I looked in the mirror and it looked good. I look at my shoe rack and pick out a four inched strap heel and put it on.

I unwrap my hair, blow dry it and style it. I pick up my bag and put some necessary things in it, grab my phone and charger, spray some perfume and head downstairs. Zion was already done with his breakfast and was wearing his shoes. I sit in the dining room and munch on the food I prepared while going through my phone. After I was done, I packed the plates for the sink. I'll wash them when I'm back from work.

"Zion" I call him "are you ready?

"Yes, I am" he says, running to me.

"What did I say about running in the house", I asked him, adjusting his collar

"I'm so sorry, Mommy. I forgot"

"It's fine" I said, grabbing his cheek softly.

"Did you pack your school bag?"

"Yes, I did" he said, running again to get his school bag, then all of a sudden, as if he remembered the rule about running in the house, he halted and started walking.

I smiled at his actions. He brought his bag to me, and he had packed in everything he needed for school; pencils, his textbooks, an eraser and some notebooks.

"Good boy" I said, ruffling his hair and smiling.

I zipped up his school bag and gave it to him. I grabbed his lunch box from the dining room and gave it to him. He hangs his school bag and holds the lunch box in his little hands and starts walking to the front door. I stand back and look at him walk, reflecting on how big he has grown and how I took care of him all alone. I'm so proud of him and myself. I grab the car keys and headed to the front door. I walked out and locked it, keeping the key under the flower pot outside. I walked to the garage and saw Zion there already.

I unlocked the car and we got it. He takes the front seat next to me and I start the car.

"Zion, seatbelt", I remind him, and he quickly stretches his hand to reach it but finds difficulty dragging it. I stretch over and help him, and he happily says a thank-you.

I drive out and reach his school in minutes. I got out of the car and helped him get down. I wave at him as he walks in till he is out of sight. I walk back to the car, get in and drive myself to work.