Thirteen

Once we were in the parking lot. I see there's a toy store next to the ice cream restaurant. I forgot all about that. Jen will love it.

"Corey, we should go to the toy store," I whisper.

"I don't know," he replies.

"Come on, she'll love it."

"And want everything," he laughs.

"What are you two talking about?" asks Jen.

I laugh. "Please."

"Oh okay," says Corey, rolling her eyes.

"Do you want to go into the toy store?"

"That would be the coolest," Jen says.

"I think so too."

We walk toward the store. Corey walks by my side. He grabs my hand in his. His hand feels smooth and warm in my mind. I like the feeling of holding his hand.

The door rings as I open it. I see dolls, plush, cars, and books.

Jen's face lights up. She looks so happy just being in a toy store.

She rushes to a stuffed unicorn. It was pink and sparkly.

"You need that."

"We don't have money for toys today, but we have food, clothes, and toys at home, so that's okay," Corey tells her.

She puts it down.

I look at Corey. "Let me buy her one thing."

"Sadie no, I don't want or like you spending money on us," he says.

"I understand, but it's no big deal."

"No," he shakes his head.

"Friends do that for each other."

"I am not a charity case," he says.

"You're right, I don't think you are, just a wonderful brother taking care of his sister."

He smiles at me. "You are something, you know that?"

"I am buying the unicorn."

" That's all Sadie."

I nod. Crossing my fingers behind my back.

We leave the store with the unicorn, a baby doll, and a book. I feel so happy watching Jen's excitement.

Once in the car, Corey seems upset.

"It's just toys."

"You shouldn't buy things for us," he tells me.

"We already have been over this."

"I feel bad," he says.

If only he knew how much money is sitting on this card. The $55 I spent in there is pocket change.

"Look, without sounding rich or privileged, the card is connected to my mom's account with an unlimited amount of money, so it's nothing. I could buy the whole store if I wanted to."

"She doesn't care what you buy or where you spend it," he says.

"Nope." She probably won't be happy about buying Jen stuff, but I don't care.

"That still doesn't make it okay," he says.

I roll my eyes. "You are impossible."

Finally making it back to Corey's house, I smile seeing Jen has fallen asleep holding her new toys.

Corey picks her up in his arms and carries her inside. I follow behind them.

I sit on the couch while he lays her down in her room. It was only 4. I am shocked she fell asleep. But she is still little.

"You made her so happy today," Corey tells me, taking his place on the couch next to me.

"She makes me happy."

I hear my phone ring. Looking down, I see it's my mom. Well, it is 4. I should be getting home.

I don't answer the phone. I will call her on the way home.

"I should probably be going."

"You should stay," he smiles at me.

"I wish, but it's Sunday night and I have a busy day tomorrow."

He nods. "See you tomorrow."

"You know it."

******

Within an hour, I found myself back at home. I had so much fun with Corey today. I hear my mom walk in the door.

"Sadie," she calls.

"I am in the kitchen," I yell.

She walks in. She looks exhausted. It's a lot of work figuring out people's pay and hours. We have many employees.

"Tried?"

"You have no idea," she tells me.

"I call for a diet cheat day, pizza?"

"Pizza?" She asks, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, you know the circle with cheese and tomato sauce."

"Real smart Sadie", my mom places her hand on her hip.

I laugh.

"Fine, pizza it is." She says.

I walk over toward the phone and call in a family-size pizza from our favorite pizza joint. It was my father's favorite, and we ate there more frequently when he was around. I ordered pineapple and Ham.

"You ordered a small?" My mom asks.

"A small family size," I smirk.

"Sadie, we don't need all that pizza." She laughs

"Oh well, you can text Adam over," she tells me.

"Adam?"

"Yeah, he'll be happy to see you," she tells me.

I nod. "Yeah."

What did I get myself into? Adam coming over. This is going to be a mess.

I feel my mom's eyes upon me. " Are you going to text him?"

"Of course." I take out my phone. I pull up Adam's message thread.

Come over for pizza? I text.

In moments, I hear a ding. Sweet sounds like fun. He messages back.

******

In moments, I sit awkwardly at the table. Adam is by my side, my mom sits at the head of the table.

"We need to get a house maid," my mom declares.

I merely spit the wine out I have been drinking. "What why?"

"Why not when you have the extra money?" my mom laughs.

Adam smirks.

"I know just the guy," my mom says, with an evil look.

"Who?"

"Corey, his social worker, was just saying that he's going to need some extra money," my mom tells me.

"Since when do you care about Corey?" I feel so annoyed and angry.

"I need help and he needs a job," she says.

"I'm surprised you'll hire him."

" You seem bothered by it," she tells me.

I look at Adam. Mom must know I have been hanging out with Corey.

He raises his eyebrow at me.

"I am just shocked that you'll hire someone you classify as a criminal."

"I normally wouldn't, but his case worker is very nice and assured me that he is a great person," she says.

"Well, I guess if you think it's a good idea, and so do I." Not only do I see Corey at the Dance Academy, now he'll be in my home. The boy I so desperately like now works for my mom. In more ways than one.