UPS

That was how it all started too. I was ten at the time, and Tommy was six. The school year was just ending when mommy found out Daddy did the Bad Thing with another lady. I heard what he called it though, he said, "I was fucking her, fucking her to get away from you." That's what he told mommy. I listened and overheard. That is what most people don't understand these days. Listening and hearing is much more important than the constant babbling that most people do. After all, most knowledge is gained by listening, at least that's what my teacher says.

Mommy didn't like daddy after that. They just didn't get along any more I guess. She started taking pills a lot, and drinking that stuff we are not allowed to drink, only sip. Tommy and I didn't know what to do. We were left alone. Mommy didn't even know we were around half the time. I ended up preparing dinner for Tommy and I at least 3 times a week. It always tasted bad; I never was a very good cook.

When mommy drank or took the pills she was always cranky, yelling at me and Tommy for the slightest things. It was ridiculous. With daddy gone, it was hard to have money too. Mommy always said it was his fault, his fault for everything. She was a smart woman, and I believed her, still do, dad was an asshole. Oh when he was around he was alright, but he never was, around that is. Mommy always said, "He's off screwing that whore." She said that a lot, especially when she was drinking and taking pills.

One time Tommy asked Mom why Daddy wasn't here very much and she just stared at him and said, "That's a question for your daddy. When you see him next, you ask him why he ain't around. Why did he desert his children? Why did he leave his sugar momma? Will you ask him that for your mother, Tommy? I'm giving you that job, ok?"

"Alright momma, I'll ask him."

"That's a good boy, now run along and play."

Well, Tommy got the chance to ask him the next day. Daddy had bought a new house, and was living with a different woman. He said it was a divorce, or something like that. Mommy didn't like it too much. She just dropped us off there and left quickly. We spent that whole weekend with daddy and his new lady. She was nice enough I guess, "I work for UPS," she said.

She didn't work for them much longer.

Sunday, sometime in late June, mommy picked us up. Daddy was out. His new lady was watching us in the backyard. Mommy came walking out back. She looked like she'd been crying an awful lot. She just strode out to where we were playing and Tommy and I jumped out of the kiddie pool, and hugged her, water dipping and all. She laughed, maybe it cheered her up. She told us to gather our stuff and put it out in the car, she was going to talk to the new lady.

Tommy and I trudged back up toward the house, just able to discern the conversation behind us.

"I don't want you touching my children, you understand?" Mommy said.

"I don't want to take your place Susan?" the lady said.

"We ain't on a first name basis."

"Hey, that was uncalled for. Now I am just trying to be a part of your EX-husband's life, and that includes helping raise his kids. They are so adorable; I just want to find my place that's all."

"Your place is out on the street corner."