C4 Chapter 4

Once they had got done with all the exhibits, they headed to the car. Max and Melanie climbed in and she handed Max back his game. He smiled as he took it happily, “ You know, you’re almost addicted to that thing.” Jenna laughed. Max grinned, “ I’m at the 100th level. I need to get to 350 to beat the game. I can smell the victory.” Jenna laughed and Melanie pinched her nose, “ I can smell something else.” She groaned. Max laughed, “ whoever smelt it delt it.” He teased. Jenna plugged her nose and rolled down the windows. “ Gee Max! You stink.” Max laughed, “ Its all apart of my charm.” Melanie gagged, “ Boys are so gross!” she exclaimed. Jenna smirked and pulled out her phone. She texted Evelyn and told her they were done. Today was her visit with her mother. She sighed as she started the car, “ Your mom is back now. I’m going to go drop you two off and go see my mom.” Both children nodded, “ I hope you have a good visit, Jenna.” Said Melanie. Jenna nodded, “ I do too.” On the last visit, her mother was drunk. She actually had Jenna meet her at a bar and then asked her to drive her back to her sober living house. Jenna shudder at the memory. Her mother refused to help herself which left Jenna in such a bad situation. She just wanted her mom but she knew now that was probably never going to happen. She sighed as she turned into the driveway. Both twins got out of the car and she pulled back out.

Today she was meeting her mother at a park. She decided she would grab them some food on the way. She stopped by Alvin’s famous sandwich stop. She smiled as she opened the doors. The smell was amazing. Alvin was famous in pleasant ville. He made the best sandwiches in the entire town. She smiled as she waited in line. When it was her turn, she stepped up to the counter “ I would like the famous turkey and the too delicious not to inhale with two bottled root beers.” She smiled. Root beer had always been her mother’s favorite drink. She thought maybe because it had the word beer in it but regardless, she wanted a good visit. The man taking her order smiled, “ Of course miss.” She handed him the money to pay and he gave her the receipt as she waited In line for her food. Once her number was called she grabbed the bag and headed out.

The day was perfect, the sun was shining and there was a quiet breeze. She drove to the park and parked her car. She got out and headed to the veranda she had told her mother to meet her at. She patiently waited. Minutes passed by, but her mother was a no show. She took her sandwich out of the bag and began to eat it. She sighed, it was now 30 minutes past the time they had agreed too. She sighed as she took a bite and then opened her root beer. She was starving. She looked around the park at the different people. Families played together. She frowned as she watched. Her mother was never this type of parent. She always longed her to be. She finished her sandwich and threw it away. She then walked to the fountain in the middle of the park. The fountain was beautiful. It had 10 different levels that the water rushed down on into the bottom. The bottom had so many pennies in it. Everyone around town thought of this as the special “ make a wish” fountain. Jenna smiled as she reached in her pocket and grabbed some pennies. She had 3. She threw one in at a time, silently making her own wishes. She looked at her phone, it was now an hour passed the agreed time. Her cell phone rang and she looked at the ID, Mrs. Blake.

“ Jenna, Its Mrs Blake.” Mrs. Blake was her social worker. Jenna rolled her eyes. “ Hi yes, its me.” She responded. “Are you at the park?” Jenna sighed, “ I am, she’s not coming, is she?” There was a long pause of silence over the phone. “ I’m sorry Jenna, but your mother is in jail. They picked her up on a DUI last night. I’m sorry, I just found out or I would have called you sooner.” Jenna sighed as she felt tears brim her eyes, “ Thank you, Mrs. Blake for letting me know.” Mrs. Blake sighed heavily through the phone, “ I’m so sorry and happy belated birthday. Are you doing okay with the Morgs?” Jenna walked in circles around the fountain as they talked, “ Thank you and I am doing alright.” Mrs. Blake replied, “ Oh good. Well I’ll be sure to let you know what happens when she goes to court. Again, I am so sorry I didn’t know sooner.”

The phone call ended and Jenna sat on the edge of the fountain. Why would this year be any different? Why would her mom actually come through for her? She never did. She wiped a tear from her eyes as she went and threw her mother’s sandwich and root beer away, “ Good riddance.” She mumbled under her breath. She sighed as she walked back to her car.

The time machine she thought. How silly was that? Time travel wasn’t real but she had a few hours to kill before she had to be home. She started the car and headed back to the museum. There was only 45 minutes left before they closed. She parked the car and headed to the front. The dragon statues really were amazing. They looked so real. So elegant, even if they were made out of stone. She went and paid and headed back to the clock exhibit. She walked towards the almost black clock and stood in front of it. A familiar voice came from behind her, “ Back so soon?” It was the creepy exhibit keeper that she had talked to earlier.