Chapter 2

“I didn’t think they’d tackle you to the floor!” Anita said.

“That’s alright,” Abigail said as Daniela walked up to her, holding something in her hand. “What’s this, sweetie?”

Daniela looked down as she opened her hand, “Is a flower, mommy.” She offered her a crumpled-up flower. It was bright red and probably really pretty in the garden, but now it seemed like Daniela was holding it too tightly. Even so, Abigail gave her a wide smile when she took it from her.

“Oh, it’s beautiful, Daniela!” She exclaimed with as much excitement as she could. “Thank you so much, sweetheart!”

“Mommy!” Daniel shouted to get her attention. “I have a flower too!” He shoved his chubby hand into his pocket and pulled out a purple flower that was just as crumpled as Daniela’s. It had even lost a few petals. Daniel proudly shoved it past Daniela and handed it to Abigail.

“Oh, how lovely!” Abigail smiled as each of her babies gave her a red and purple flower, all squished from being carried by toddlers. “Thank you, pumpkins, I love them!”

She reached out her arms and wrapped them both up in one big hug. It was difficult to look after them, but they always made her smile. Abigail would never dream of trading her twins for anything else.

The next morning, Abigail was woken up by an argument. Daniel was pulling one side of a red teddy bear, and Daniela was pulling the other side.

“It’s mine!” Daniela whined, and Abigail opened her eyes.

“No, mine!” Daniel shouted back and pulled as hard as he could. When Abigail pushed her way out of the bed and stood up, the teddy bear tore in half, sending both toddlers flying backward. They landed on their bottoms, and Daniela immediately wanted to cry.

The teddy bear stuffing was all over the floor, and Abigail sighed. She would have to clean it all before breakfast because Miss Anita wasn’t there yet.

“What’s going on here?” Abigail asked as she went to stand between them. “Are you two fighting?”

Instantly, Daniel and Daniela blushed and looked away guiltily. “No, Mommy, we’re playing.”

“Hmm…” Abigail frowned and leaned down to pick up the pieces of the bear. “It looks like you broke this toy!”

“Sowwy, Mommy,” Daniela said sheepishly and came towards her to hug her leg. Daniel didn’t apologize, but he looked just as sad about the whole situation.

“Don’t let it happen again, okay?” Abigail started picking up all of the stuffing, with Daniela still attached to her leg. “It’s very naughty to break your toys.”

“Yes, Mommy,” Daniela answered and let go of her leg. “I won’t do it again.”

“Me too.” Daniel wandered over to the bed.

Whenever the twins were awake, the house would become a world of chaos. She needed to grab her chance to get ready and prepare breakfast for everyone. Hopefully, Daniel and Daniela wouldn’t continue getting into trouble while she did that.

At least, Miss Anita would be coming in soon, and then Abigail could focus on herself.

She had just moved back to Texas with all her kids because it had much better opportunities than the small town they’d lived in for many years. Since she has nothing left for her again.

There, she worked as a cashier for a small store after the betrayal of her boyfriend Johnson. But that money was almost gone, and her job just did not cover it. With a little bit of experience under her belt, Abigail knew the city was her best bet.

She had been spending the week looking for work. She’d sent out at least twenty resumes, but no one had called her back yet, and that was starting to make her worried. If she couldn’t find a job, she didn’t know how she was going to pay for everything that her kids needed.

Daniel and Daniela waddled after Abigail as she walked out of the room and towards the kitchen to get started on breakfast. They weren’t squabbling anymore, but they were too quiet. It made Abigail think that they were up to something again. She just needed her morning coffee, then she’d get going for real.

She had to admit that she looked forward to being able to work again, even if she would miss her kids very much while she was away.

“Mommy, I’m hungry!” Daniel exclaimed behind her as Abigail switched on the kettle.

“I know, sweetie, just be patient.” Abigail answered before she heard a knock at the front door. Miss Anita was early for her shift.

Abigail walked over to open the door as a sigh of relief washed over her face. If Miss Anita could sort out breakfast, then Abigail could start job-hunting early.

“Morning! You’re early.” She smiled as Miss Anita headed past her and into the house. “I mean, I appreciate it, but I didn’t expect you to be here before eight.”

Miss Anita picked Daniel up as he reached for her in greeting, Daniel held onto her leg, yelling that he wanted to be lifted too.

“I’ll make breakfast.” Miss Anita said above all the noise. “You can get them dressed.”

“That’s a good idea.” Abigail laughed, “Come on, kids!”

Two pairs of feet followed her to the bedroom and lined up in front of the closet.

“Me!” Daniel shouted, standing at the very front. Abigail gathered his clothes together and pointed to the bed. He hopped up happily, waiting to get dressed. As Abigail started pulling off his pajamas, Daniel began to grin and kick his little feet naughtily.

“Daniel, you have to stay still.” Abigail insisted, but he didn’t listen. Abigail finally lost hold of Daniel, and the little toddler scrambled away giggling.

“Daniel!” Abigail called after him.

Before she could chase him, however, her phone began to ring. She answered, wondering who it could be. “Abigail James, good morning.”

“This is Jennifer Moses, from the Megabase company limited. We deal with importing and exporting goods,” the person on the other end said. “We received your application, and we’d like you to be here at eight o’clock.”