Twelve

The ride home was so miserable. My mom complained the whole time that I turned down lunch with Adam. She thinks I am crazy and I am going to lose a good man. I just said I was tired.

My mom drops me off at the house, and I knew she was leaving. She always does paperwork and payroll for Monday in her office at the Academy. When she is fully out of sight, I climb into my car.

I drive down the road toward Corey's house. I hear my phone ding. Looking down, I am annoyed it was Adam. What's the reason you turned me down, his message read.

My stomach was feeling sick. I text back. I couldn't tell him the truth either. But I should. I feel excited turning down the street Corey's house is on.

I pull into his driveway and climb out of my car. Shutting the door, I hear my phone ringing again. I look at my phone. Feel better, beautiful, his message reads. Now I feel horrible.

Corey is waiting for me with the door open. Just the sight of him brings a smile to my face. "I am glad you came," he tells me.

"Me too," I say walking inside.

I hear the same unicorn movie we watched last time. I smile to myself.

"Sadie, we are watching the unicorn movie," Jen says.

"Again," Corey rolls his eyes.

"It's a great movie." I shrug my shoulders.

I make my way toward the couch. I see Jen's clothes all over. "Sorry, I will clean it up," Corey tells me.

"It's fine," I say.

I sit on the free corner of the couch. I pick up one of Jen's dresses. "Wow, Jen, you have some pretty clothes here."

"Thanks, I got them today."

I help Corey, put them in the boxes. "I like these unicorn jammies". I held them up.

"Me too, I want to be a unicorn," Jen tells me.

"That would be interesting," I say laughing.

"Then you would have to live outside," Corey says, putting the last clothing item away.

I hear a ring coming from the kitchen. "You like dinosaur nuggets," he asks me laughing.

"Who doesn't."

"Good point," he smiles. I watch as he walks toward the kitchen. Jen laughs at the movie, and it makes my heart so happy. They are a beautiful sweet little family.

I move towards the kitchen. " Need any help?"

"Will you grab the salad bowl from the refrigerator and the dressing?"

I nod. Opening the refrigerator, I see everything on the top shelf. I grab it and set it on the counter. Corey is putting the nuggets on plates. We walk into the living room. They have a little coffee table where Jen sits and eats, and Corey on the couch.

This is different for me, in my house, we always eat at the kitchen or dining room table. I sit next to Corey on the couch.

I don't like eating their food, but I don't want to be rude. I take a bite of salad.

Corey eats fast. But he is a guy. I watch as Jen plays with her nuggets. She plays with two of them, chasing each other around her plate.

I smile.

"Are we playing or eating Jen?" Corey laughs.

"Both," she says, taking a bite.

"Maybe, we can go out for Ice Cream after I am buying."

Jen's face lights up. " Really?"

"I can't let you buy our stuff," Corey says.

"I have eaten lunch here twice."

"So," Corey says.

"We are getting ice cream." I narrowed my eyes at him.

" Fine." He rolls his eyes.

"I am so excited," Jen says, clapping her hands.

"Me too," I grin.

Once everyone's food is finally finished. We head out the door. We are taking my car. Corey walks to his truck, grabs Jen's booster seat, and installs it in my car.

Opening the driver's seat, I climb into my seat. Corey opens the door to the passenger side and gets in.

"I feel like Barbie in this car," Jen says.

Corey and I both laugh. "Me too girl."

I pull out of his driveway and we head toward our local ice cream shop. It is my favorite, their ice cream is homemade.

Corey looks at my dance ID. Hanging on the car mirror. "Do you like it?" He asks.

"Huh?"

"Dancing?" He asks. Still looking at my ID.

"Yeah, it's my life."

He smiles. "You look happy dancing."

"I am."

"So that's your career goal?" He asks.

Why is he asking me this? Is it? I don't know.

"I guess so."

"I want to do something good in my life, for Jen," he tells me.

"You will." I pat his leg.

We finally arrive at the ice cream restaurant. I park the car in the parking lot.

"I am excited."

"I am even more excited," says Jen, unbuckling her car seat.

Opening my door, I get out. Corey walks and opens Jen's door, and she jumps out. Her little feet are nearly tap dancing.

Walking inside, the smell of ice cream fills my nose. We walk towards the coolers, where all the flavors are displayed.

"What kind do you want, Jen?"

Her face is pressed to the cooler. "Pink," she points.

" That's bubble gum."

She nods.

"Corey?"

"White chocolate," he says.

" Double scoops of bubble gum, white chocolate, and lemon."

The guy behind the cooler nods and gets busy scooping our ice cream.

In moments, he has them ready. I grab my credit card and pay. " Thanks," I tell the man.

"Enjoy," the man behind the cooler says.

Sitting down at the table. I spoon ice cream in my mouth too fast, because my head starts hurting.

"Thank you, Sadie," Corey says.

"Yeah thanks," says Jen with pink all over her face.