Chapter 8 - Party

Kathy's POV

"Mom!" Eros called as he wiggled the tail of the pig on the costume he put on, I giggled. "Look, this one fits great!"

I clapped my hands with glee and laughed at his adorableness. "It really does, do you like that one?" And he gave me a huge nod. "Great, then let's buy it."

"Miss, can I have this one." I pointed at the costume Eros is wearing and the saleslady gave me a big smile. "Thank you so much."

"Oh, I can't wait to visit Nathan." Eros giggled, jumping up and down.

"You really enjoyed having him around in school don't you?" I smiled and he nodded.

After we bought the costume we head back home to get ourselves ready for the party.

Eros climb his way to the car and I did too. "I don't have any sibling and it's kind of lonely when I don't have someone around in the house to play with." It made a tug in my heart, he must have notice my frown and he immediately said, "Mom, I'm not lonely when you're around."

"Yes but when I'm not around, you are." I said, feeling the guiltiness slowly run all over my body.

Work can really destroy your relationship with your children. I thought spending all of my free time with my son was enough but I guess not. I'm not the only playmate he wanted, he wanted a companion and a friend and someone to play with his toys. I may play with him but it's always different when someone plays with the same age as you.

"I'm really sorry if you feel that way, Eros." I said, "I thought spending all of my free time with you was enough."

Eros cupped my hand on the steering wheel and said, "It's okay Mom, I understand. I just get a little lonely sometimes but if ever I'll get a younger sibling, I'm gonna spend most of my days with them playing." He let go of my hand and turn back to his seat, "Let's go to the party, we're going to be late." His cute little voice squealed, making me forget the guiltiness I felt a few minutes ago.

~

"Are you Nathan's Mom?" I asked the women around her 30's who was sitting on an unoccupied table while the kids were playing around the swing, slides and basketball. This place is like a child's playground but at the same a restaurant, such a convenient place to celebrate for children's events.

"Yes, Hi." She greeted, "You must be Eros' Mother, how lovely to see you here. I'm Victoria." She took out her hand and I shook it. "I'm so happy you came, Nathan was asking and checking nonstop if Eros has already arrive because he doesn't want to start without him."

I awed at their friendship and said, "I'm so sorry we were late, there was traffic in the Avenue street. I'm Kathy by the way, Nice to meet you." I smiled and look at the place, "This is such a lovely restaurant. Well... You know for kids." I laughed.

"Yeah, it is. I'm glad I reserved a slot on time, I'm so sorry if it's not much I'm just trying to give him the best birthday he can have and he loves it here. The staff also help us watch the kids so it's gonna be less hassle for me. "She chuckled and look at me. "Are you going to stay or are you going pick up Eros after the party? There's food if you like to stay."

"I'll pick up Eros after the party, I don't want to ruin his fun." I said, looking at Eros who was playing on the slides with his classmates.

"I'll tell him," She said, "You can write your phone number on the counter so they'll be the one to contact you when the party's over but if you feel a little uncomfortable with that I'll call you. Teacher Joan hasn't arrived yet."

"Thank you, Victoria. That's so nice of you." She's so comfortable to talk with and now I understand why Eros likes Nathan so much, Nathan must have the same personality with his mother. "I'm just gonna give you my phone number because it is uncomfortable giving them mine. Do you mind?"

She wave off her hands, "Oh please, No. I know your a single Mom and a hot Mom." She said, emphasizing the word 'hot' and it made me blush. "We don't want no creepy guy stalking you around now would we? And Thank you again for coming, really."

"Thank you so much, Victoria and please I'm not that hot."I said bashfully, "And you are very welcome. I'm just sad too to see my only son feeling a little lonely in our house with no one to play with too."

Victoria frown and I did too, "Oh, Honey. Don't worry I'm sure Eros is gonna understand your situation somehow and he's just a kid." She looked at Eros and to me, "I'm sure things will change soon."

Clutching on my purse, I gave her a sweet smile and said, "I hope so."

After my little conversation with Victoria, I bid my goodbye to Eros and went back to my car.

Swings and slides reminds me so much of my little brother. He loves the swing so much because he feels like he was flying that he could almost reach the sky. The memory of Him and I, always put a smile on my face. How can a lovely creature be put in this cruel world.

- Flash back -

I got 200 bucks. I found a drunk Man laying on the sidewalk and I grab his wallet, I was worried someone might catch me but no one did and no one even seem to care who the drunk guy was but I got home safe and sound. I was a little worried because it was already night and Dustine might be starving.

"Dustine?" I called and soon crunch my nose when the smell of liquor run into my nostrils, "Dustine? It's me, your sister Kathy, I'm home." But nobody replied, I search the whole house but it was empty and dead silence. Oh, where could he be? "Dustine? Don't play with me." I said, my heart started pounding.

"Kathy?"

"Dustine," I sigh in relief. "Where were you? I called you three times."

"I'm sorry, Kathy. I was just sad that Mom and Dad left without me." He pouted, "Are they coming back?"

"Were they fighting when they left?" I asked and he nodded, "Then they will come back, don't worry. Dad's probably wasting his money on liquors again."

Dustine stomach started to growl and so did mine, I was so busy finding money that I totally forgot I haven't eaten anything since this morning.

"Let's go and grab dinner, okay?" I said, "My treat, Dustine."

He frowned, "When am I going to pay you back?"

"Dustine, you don't have to." I held his shoulders and bend down to look at his eyes. "You don't owe me anything."

"Can we at least visit or play the swings to the park today?" He rubbed his cute little hands together, he does it when he feels excited.

"Of course anything for you, Buddy." I rubbed his head, "But first let's get something to eat, what about grilled cheese?"

He did a fist pump, "Yes, grilled cheese! I almost forgot what it tasted."

I chuckled, "We just ate grilled cheese two days ago."

"But why does it feel like it was a long time ago."

We went to the nearest local restaurant that sells the cheapest food in the town and bought a grilled cheese for a take out. We went to the park to eat them, It was fun, at least my brother was enjoying his food and I hope this lessen his trauma inside the house too.

"Kathy?" Dustine called and I hummed in answer, "Who's that man?" He pointed behind my back and I turned around to see who it was.

"Jack?"