Chapter 7: A Night Off

Four Years Later

"Mom!! We finished cleaning the pens!"Raine burst into the kitchen, dirt streaking across her arms and cheeks, excitement practically vibrating off her.

"Raine, calm down. Where's your brother?" I asked, catching her before she could track more dirt across the floor.

"He's coming," Raine replied, turning to look outside, perplexed when Sol wasn't behind her. With a sigh, she darted back out, calling for Sol to hurry up.

I followed Raine outside to find her coaxing Sol, the youngest of my children, to move quicker. Raine, with her dirt-blond hair and sparkling blue eyes, epitomized youthful energy. At 14, she was preparing for high school, yet still made time for Sol.

Sol, at 10, was quieter, with black hair and dark brown eyes that mirrored his reserved demeanor. He rarely showed emotions, except around his siblings and our farm animals, which reassured me of their bond.

Sol finally made his way over, quieter than usual but surprisingly clean. "How are the horses?" I asked.

"They're fine. I made sure Daisy is comfortable for when she gives birth," Sol replied softly.

"And overall, they're good," Raine added, always eager to contribute.

Satisfied, I headed back inside with the boys trailing behind. "Go shower; dinner will be ready," I instructed. Raine agreed, but Sol silently ascended the stairs.

While setting the table, my phone buzzed—Max. Drying my hands, I answered. "Hey, what's up?"

"Hey, are you free tonight? We're short-handed at the bar," Max said over background noise.

"It's just me, Raine, and Sol tonight. I don't want to leave them," I replied, grabbing juice from the fridge.

"Raine's old enough, and Claire loves having them. Drop 'em off there if it makes things easier." Max suggested.

"Spending the night? You must be desperate," I teased, pouring juice and joining the kids at the table.

"I am, and you need a break. The kids will be fine," Max insisted, sensing my hesitation.

Raine overheard and nodded eagerly. I gestured to Sol, who quietly agreed. Smiling, I tousled his hair, earning a frown.

"Raine, feel like crashing with Aunt Claire and escaping chores for a night?" I asked.

"Sure, I'm in," Raine decided, settling at the table with Sol.

"Alright, they're okay with it. What time should I drop them off?" I confirmed with Max.

"Please get here by 8. I gotta go unload the truck." Max said abruptly, ending the call amidst background clamor.

I hung up and finished my meal, contemplating. "Are you both sure about staying with Claire?" I addressed them. Raine assured me, adding I needed more friends besides them.

Surprised, I shook my head. "I have friends, just busy," I protested, but they insisted.

"Clean up; we leave in 30," I announced, heading upstairs to change. In my closet, I settled on a black button-up, skinny jeans, and boots, glancing at my tattoos of Medusa and Athena.

"MOM!" Raine's yell interrupted my thoughts.

After a spritz of perfume and a necklace, I descended to find them ready. "Let's go," I said heading to the garage. 

"Mom, is that really what you are going to wear? You should at least try to look hot." Raine said, teasing me about my outfit.

"Don't I always look hot?" I joked, joining them in the garage. Raine made a face like she'd just bitten into a lemon. Sol gave a solemn nod of agreement.

"Sol agrees," I said, hugging him. Raine groaned playfully.

Our garage housed an array of vehicles, reflecting my oldest son Cameron's and my love for cars. From pickup trucks and SUVs to motorcycles and even an armored truck we found in a junkyard, our collection was eclectic. Cameron's passion for refurbishing and converting cars into tiny homes added to our projects. It was our shared side hustle, turning used vehicles into profitable rentals on our expansive property. 

I settled into the driver's seat of my Dodge Challenger, Raine taking shotgun and Sol in the back. "Do you both have everything?" I asked, starting the car as Raine connected his phone for music.

"I have my backpack," Raine confirmed, setting the playlist to classic punk rock and Sol nodded silently.

The drive out of our property was cautious, always mindful of our animals and any unexpected visitors lounging on the driveway. Our dogs and sheep had a habit of lazing about, oblivious to approaching vehicles, often causing me to herd them back to their pens, a chore shared with the kids.

As we navigated the driveway, I admired the expanse of our land—2,726 acres encompassing hills, a small river leading to a nearby lake, and the sprawling farm to the west. In the south, our livestock grazed, tended by us and a dedicated team of workers. The east boasted a 500-acre lake, partly ours, where we offered horseback riding and rented out tiny homes. To the west, our 900 acres sustained our crops of hay, wheat, corn, and vegetables, supplying the local communities.

Our home, nestled in the northern corner of the property, was designed and built by me, a testament to my love for craftsmanship. Three floors, a basement, ten bedrooms, and a bustling den accommodated our family of six children and four dogs, often filled with their friends and visitors. Sometimes, it felt like a whole football team resided there.

Arriving at Max's house, Claire greeted us from the porch. I parked and stepped out to hug her, noting her crying four-year-old Nathan in the back and her undiminished cheerfulness.

"Jaz, it's been too long! You look great," Claire stood barefoot on the porch, balancing a juice box in one hand and wrangling Nathan with the other. Still, her grin was as bright as ever.

"Hey, Carebear. Sorry, I've been MIA with the kids and the farm," I apologized, reciprocating the embrace.

"Mhmm, that's what you always say. But you better be here for Nathan's birthday, or I might have to gut you," Claire teased, though it came out endearingly.

"Of course. Do you know what I should get him as a gift? Raine, Sol, come say hi to Aunt Claire," I called, waving the kids over. They grabbed their backpacks and approached Claire, both eager to see their aunt.

"Hi, Aunt Claire. Thanks for having us," Raine greeted with a smile, while Sol simply nodded.

"No problem. We're going to have a blast with movies and baking cookies. Go drop your stuff in the living room," Claire invited them, her warmth evident despite her quieter demeanor.

"Honestly it doesn't matter, maybe a car or a baseball. Nathan has way too many toys anyway" Claire added, rubbing her temple in frustration.

"Well, I will think of something and try to relax. Kids grow up too fast so you are going to miss these moments later." I remarked, glancing at her belly.

"You are right, I will cherish them. You'd better head out before Max starts blowing up your phone," Claire chuckled, shooing me away.

"Okay, okay, I'm going. Call me if you need anything or if anything happens," I called back, climbing into the car and starting the engine.

"Have fun—and try not to come back before sunrise. You deserve to get laid," Claire called out with a mischievous grin as I drove off.