chapter 2

"Zara, we're leaving in 5 minutes," Nickola shouts from the kitchen. She hurries to get Zara's lunch and the box of leftovers from the party. Zara's brown spiral curls bounce as she runs into the kitchen. Nickola gives her the pink lunch bag covered with white unicorns. "Did you brush your teeth?"

"Yes," Zara says as she smiles wide to show her.

They exit the house and get into her purple Toyota corolla. The car shakes and the dash lights flicker as she starts it. "Come on Berry," she says patting the dash. She attempts to start the car again and the engine revves to life. She exhales and leans her forehead on the steering wheel.

"What's wrong with the car mommy?"

"I don't know. I gotta take this thing in or it's not gonna make it to the end of the week," she says a little stressed.

They pull up to Edward's elementary school. Zara unbuckles her seatbelt and leans forward to hug Nickola. She kisses Zara on the cheek. "Love you mommy," she says as opens the door. Zara turns around and waves goodbye to Nickola before running into the school. Nickola pulls out her phone and calls Vanessa.

"Hello?"

"Hey would you be able to pick up Zara tomorrow from Kelly's? My car isn't acting right. I'm gonna take it in to get it looked at."

"Yeah, no problem," Vanessa says.

"Actually, can you take her to school too? Im gonna need to drop the car off early. I feel like I'm asking for too much," she puts her hand to the side of her head.

"You're not, don't worry about it."

"Thanks. And I'll let you know what they say, hopefully it can be fixed tomorrow." She hangs up and pulls into the parking lot of the Met Transit.

She begins to remember the last time her car had problems. "Wes...I got a flat, she said nervously. "Could you come to my job and change the tire please?" "I just got to Chuck's house. Can't you change it yourself?" Wes said in an irritated tone. "You know I can't." "Yeah cause your worthless. Don't know how to do anything for yourself but you always want me to do something for you." Nickola remains silent trying to keep back the tears. "I guess. And then I'm coming back to Chucks and I don't wanna here your mouth about it either." "Thanks Wes," she said in a monotone voice. She takes a deep breath and goes inside the building.

At the front desk sits a full figured woman with long straight dark brown hair. She's looking into a compact mirror putting on lipstick. "Buenos Dias Ros," Nickola says putting the box on the desk.

"Buenos Dias," she smiles and puts the compact in her purse as she looks in the box. "Leftovers from the party yesterday." "How was it?" she ask searching through the box.

"It was ok. Kellen was there."

"Hhmm," she looks at Nickola sideways.

"He thinks he's so funny."

"I keep telling you he wants that chocolate," she smiles and takes a bag of chips from the box.

"He can get some chocolate somewhere else," Nickola smiles. "Remember I told you about Vanessa's stepson?"

"The model?" Ros asks opening the bag of chips.

"Yeah, his name is Herring. He's back in town. It's weird he was in my dream last night."

"Ooo," she says the chip halfway in her mouth.

"It was actually a passenger I've had on my bus before but it was Herrings eyes," she shakes her head recalling the dream.

"You know what it is? It's been too long for you," Ros laughs and Nickola joins her.

"I don't know," Nickola sighs. "It's only been six months."

Ros turns to face her. "It was a bad marriage Nikki," she says in a more serious tone. "Don't feel bad about moving on. It's time to do you."

"Maybe," Nickola says staring off in the distance. The front desk phone rings.

"Well see ya later," Nickola grabs the box and hurries off.

"Nos vemos," Ros says before answering the phone.