Parental Influences

    Nikki was grading papers in front of the coffee table when Jen stomped into the house, crashing onto the oversized lazyboy.

“I just don’t understand these people,” she sighed, exasperated. “How many times can you ask someone to do the same fucking thing and still mistakes? It’s like who are they kidding? I know they know this stuff, I’ve seen them do it! They just don’t want to do it, that’s all. They’d rather claim ignorance then put in a real days work, and I don’t think I can take much more of it.” Closing her eyes, Jen leaned back into her chair with the full intent of not moving for the rest of the night.

Nikki sighed, and for the first time looked up from her papers, “The sink in the bathroom’s leaking, I couldn’t get it to stop so I put a bucket underneath it. You should probably fix it before you get too comfortable.”

Jen through her a look that said, ‘you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.’ “Call a plumber. I’m done for today.”

Nikki just shook her head, “I’m not calling a plumber to tighten a screw. You complain about the same thing everyday, but conveniently today it’s overwhelmed you and you can’t fix a damn sink?”

“Nikki have you met these people? No you haven’t, because if you had you wouldn’t be shoving this in my face right now. I’m mentally exhausted, and I just want to sit a moment, and not deal with anything. I am so fucking sick of dealing with stuff.”

“Watch your language.” She said, checking the room. “And go fix the sink.”

“Nikki, enough already. Brian called out today, and I’ve had to pick up all of his slack, because nobody else wants to get off their ass and do it, along with all the crap I’ve normally had to deal with, can I have one second to myself here?”

“The bucket under the sink’s overflowing,” Katie, their five year old daughter, shouted as she ran into the room.

“Take all the time you want, have fun cleaning the bathroom after.” Nikki turned back to her papers.

Jenn glared at her, “fine.” She said stomping off to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

“Did I do something wrong?” Katie was standing in front of the coffee table, looking defeated.

Nikki smiled, “It’s ok, your mom’s just having a bad day.”

“Why?” Katie asked, still looking upset.

“Because people are lazy, and I was kind of being a jerk. She just needs to take a chill pill, and she’ll be fine.” She said pulling the girl onto her lap, wraping her in her arms.

“Was I being a jerk too?” She looked up.

Nikki laughed against her daughter’s head. “No, you’re timing was just off.” She said, kissing the top of her head, and standing her back up.

“Hey mom?”

“Yes?”

“Are we lazy?”

Nikki looked up at her daughter who was looking more curious now, but still somewhat worried about the situation. “We are not. In fact why don’t you go make your mom her favorite thing in the world? That will cheer her up.”

“A Cosmo?”

Nikki smiled despite herself. “No, silly! One of your famous cards! Though a Cosmo isn’t a bad idea, but don’t go around telling people that’s one of your mom’s favorite things, ok?” She said, getting up off the floor.

“The cosmo? Why not?” They made their way to the kitchen.

“Because! It’s our secret!” Nikki said in an over exaggerated voice, making her daughter laugh, Katie liked secrets. “Now go get your paper and crayons!” she said, showing her off to her room.

XXXXXXX
Nikki was just about finished with the drink when Jen came in, drenched, but obviously in a better mood. “Man that was annoying. I swear Godzilla stopped by earlier to loosen the handle all the way. I got it though.”

“I knew you would, hun,” She gave Jen a peck on the cheek, and put the drink on the counter in front of her. “Did you wipe down the bathroom?”

“Yes dear, and now I’m going to take a shower, and wash this day away.” She said as Katie walked into the room, arms full of paper and pencils. “Hey squirt!” she patted her daughter on the head. “What’s all this, school project?”

Katie looked panicked, “Nothing, I just wanted to move my stuff here. Did you take your chill pill?”

Jenn glared at Nikki, “Not quite yet.” She said between clenched teeth. Grabbing her glass, she walked out of the room.

Katie was confused, “Was I a jerk?” She asked her mother.

Nikki just smiled, “Maybe a little bit, it was my fault though, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Katie looked up at her, determined. “It’s ok mom, this card will fix everything.” She sat down and set to work.

XXXXXXX
Jamie left the bathroom and found a note tapped to the handle. The front had a crayon drawing of a martini glass full of what had to be a Cosmopolitan. She opened the card and read, “Mom, sory we are jurks. Luv Katie!”