Blackjack

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 

As I sit in my car in my driveway thinking of everything that just happened, I feel so overwhelmed. Maybe it isn’t a good idea to have Alex in Addie’s life what if his actions put her in danger what if someone shoots her or I next time. What if someone takes her because they are pissed off at the club. I don’t think I could handle that. Tears are forming in my eye’s thinking of all the possible things that could go wrong. Maybe we shouldn’t have come here, I could sell the house and move back to Texas.  

Taking a deep breath I look at the clock in my car, 4:37 I better get inside and get showered.  

“Mandy”....”Mandy”....”Mandy” I say trying to wake her. Well I guess I’ll just let her sleep. I walk down the hall to my room and grab some grey pj shorts and a white tank top and head for my shower. The hot water felt so good. I stand there for a while trying to figure out what I should do. After a while I decide it is best to talk with Alex and figure out my feelings from there. It would be so hard to just leave again. Being here and getting to know him again has brought up old feelings. He was my first love, my first kiss, my first everything. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about us all being a family because I have many times. All I have ever wanted was to give Addie the perfect life. I wash up and grab my towel wrapping it around me. After getting dressed and brushing my teeth I dried my hair throwing it up in a bun and head out to get Addie’s lunch made before waking her up for breakfast. 

After packing her a peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwich (her favorite) and some chips, grapes and and a juice box. I head in to her room to wake her up. 

“Addie its time to get up and get ready for school.” I say as I open her window curtains letting the morning sun shine in. 

“uggh” Addie groans. I just laugh as I pull some clothes out of her dresser for her. I grab her some blue denim shorts and a blue flower printed tank top along with some undies and her brown gladiator sandles. 

“I have your stuff all pulled out for you Addie so get up and shower quickly while I make your breakfast. Would you like pancakes or eggs and toast?” I ask 

“Pancakes” she replies 

I head back out to the kitchen and pull the pancake mix out and some milk and eggs. I look around for some blueberries to add in but we are all out. After finding some chocolate chips in the cupboard I decide that I'll make chocolate chip pancakes instead. After getting the pancakes going I start the coffee and head to wake Mady again. 

“Hey Mandy time to wake up” I say shaking her shoulder. 

“O hey, you just getting home?’ 

“No I have been home fro a couple hours now but I couldn’t get you up when I got here so I decided to just let you sleep. Coffee and pancakes will be ready shortly.” I say walking back into the kitchen. 

“Mmm that smells delicious!” Addie says with a smile on her face. I turn around placing her plate on the counter as she hops up onto the stool. 

“Milk or orange juice hun?” 

“Orange juice please” Addie replies. After placing her cup on the counter Mandy finally strolls in and sits next to her. 

“Aunt Mandy did you stay here all night?” Addie asks.  

“Uhh yea Aunt Mandy was asleep when I got home so I decided to just let her sleep” I say smiling. 

“O that makes sense I guess” 

“Alright eat up, you don’t want to miss your bus” I send Addie out for her bus after breakfast as I watch from the big bay window in the living room.  

“So, when are you gonna tell me what happened Hayley?” Mandy asks 

Letting out a sigh I say “Alex was shot last, deal gone wrong I guess.” A pained expression on my face. 

“Wow...is he ok?” Mandy asks 

“Yea he will be ok, I was able to get the bullet out, no major damage just a lot of bleeding.” 

Mandy just nods in acknowledgement.  

“I gotta get some sleep and head back over there before my next shift. You are welcome to stay shower and borrow some clothes if you want.” 

“Thanks Hayls I'll just go home and come back later, I have some errands to run before coming back for the night.” “Do you need me to get Addie off the bus?” 

“Yea that might be a good idea. As much as I would hate not seeing Addie before work it would probably be best. Give me some more time to rest and check on Alex. Thanks Mandy.” I say giving her a hug goodbye.