Breathe

I wake up the next morning to the smell of something cooking. It smells sweet, yet I can't put my finger on what it is. The house feels warm, and I jump in the shower. I turn on the faucet when I hear men laughing. Why are they still here? They didn't go home last night. My head hurt. My face still puffy from the day before. What a sight I was. I quickly wash my body and get dressed. I pick a long maxi dress and I pair it with a sweater. Good enough for work I guess. I open the door to my room, and I see Ethan, Jake, and Avery rolling up these large ugly sleeping bags.

"Hey sis, how are you feeling?" Ethan asks.

"I'm fine, I'm sorry I caused so much trouble for you all, you didn't have to stay."

"It's fine Marie. The others left to go home to be with their families, we chose to stay with you."

I look at Avery and Jake and they both have smiles on their face. I'm not sure it's just their way of being nice or what. I wasn't sure why they stayed. I look at my watch and hurry to the kitchen. Cinnamon Rolls, that's what I was smelling from the bedroom.

I walk into the dining room.

"One of you.. cooked breakfast?"

"I did ma'am." Avery smile and he stands in front of me, shoulder straight.

"We're going to be staying for a while" Ethan says. "I need to make sure you are ok, we called in and took some time off, all three of us. You have us here for 3 weeks".

"3 weeks?" I say.

I've been married since a few weeks after I turned 18 and no one has ever stayed in my home. Not even my brother, and especially unattached men. My eyes widen and my heart pounds. I'm thankful they want to stay, but I'm also sad. Did they pity me so?

"Marie, ma'am, Ethan told us everything last night. How you work and you have kids and you work more. We feel like as men, we need to help you, to be able to have a chance to breathe." Jake says walking toward me and grabbing my hand, tenderly.

"I agree, only on one condition." I say matter of factly. "You will not spoil these boys Ethan, I have to deal with them when you all leave and I want to make sure they stay respectful and please don't mention any of this to them."

He nods his head in agreement.

Three weeks go buy quickly. The men hardly let me lift a finger. I've never been treated like a princess, but that is what I imagined it being like. Sometimes I would talk with them and laugh and forget about the mess I was in. Sometimes reality came crashing down. They were always gentle. Always caring for the kids. My brother walked me into the office to tell my boss what happened. My boss was kind and gave me a week off to get something in order. Soon after my brother and the men took me to the bank where I found all the accounts were drained and closed and the van payment was 2 months past due.

My brother was furious. I took the fifty dollars Gabriel had left me and I opened a new account. Just my name. Only mine. If I could have slapped myself I would have. Slapped myself for being so dumb. I was a smart girl. I graduated at 16 with honors. I had a degree before I turned 20. Being pregnant twice though school wasn't an easy accomplishment. I sat there numb as the personal banker handed me all statements.

"I'll handle this Marie". Ethan says as he pulls out his checkbook. "I'm going to pay off the van, do you have the title?" he asks.

"You don't have to do that Ethan; I can find some way."

"Nonsense" he cuts me off, " I have to make up for that time I had you worried about me anyway.

I shudder, thinking about that month that I lost all communication with him while he was serving in Afghanistan. We did not hear anything for weeks until he finally got to a point he could call us.

" I'll pay you back." I say saddened that it's come to this.

" Only if you want to little sister." He smiles.

Embarrassed I didn't say anything when I got back home. I wrapped my arms around the kids and I just held them for a moment, before I looked into their little faces.

"Someone gave some boys some chocolate." Looking at Jake who is holding a guilty smile.

"I have to call him. Try to figure something out with the boys." I say.

"I'll stand here with you" Jake says sadly, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"And I'll take all of these rugrats out to the swings!" Avery says as he throws one of the boys over his shoulder.

Ethan is outside talking to someone. I guess now is as good as a time as ever.

"Can I use your phone?" extending my hand to Jake.

"Sure, just don't look through the pictures, you make not want to see what's in there" he chuckles.

I hold his phone and dial Gabriel's number.

"Hello?" Gabriel answers.

"Gabriel, It's Marie, I need to meet with you to talk to you about the kids."

"I am out of state with Jenn right now, it will have to be next week."

I fist my hands angry that he is enjoying spending time with this girl, not even bothering to check on his kids once.

"Calm down Marie, Breathe" Jake says putting his hand on my shoulder again.

"Is that a guy with you? Wow that didn't take long." Gabriel says coldly. "Once he learns what all those kids do to a body, he'll leave, no man wants damaged goods."

" I will meet you at Applebee's at 11:00 a.m. next Friday." pretending I did not hear him.

"Fine, I will be there." he spits before he hangs up the phone.

I look up to Jake to think him, but I see the anger dancing in his eyes. He bends down and hugs me tight. For a moment, I hug him back.