▽ Take Me Home By Cash Cash

               ➣ three

''Mommy'' Ariella's soft, drowsy voice called at the end of the hall, along with her tiny footsteps stamping against the floor, getting closer and closer to where I was.

I was currently sitting on the couch, on the phone with Cable Vision as I was attempting to set up our cable -being that this apartment can't accept offers like Dish Network-. Apparently, Cable Vision wants to give me the most difficult phone call I've ever had.

I've basically spent the entire morning unpacking and putting everything into place while Ariella slept in.

''Mommy-'' She started again once she came closer to me but I put a hand up to stop her from talking as the lady on the other line started speaking.

''Okay, so we have different packages viewers pay for. We have the basic, which includes basically news channels, like channel 5-''.

''Yeah, I know all about the packages I've dealt with this before'' I stated, quite vex with how long this conversation has become. I practically been on hold for an hour and it was most likely gonna become another just to explain the packages they serve.

''Okay, since you know all about it, what package will you be wanting then?'' She inquired, remotely in a snippy tone, being that I did rudely interrupted her.

''Family. And while I'm at it I'm in for getting the phone and internet services'' I replied, bitting my fingernails. I turned to the side as I saw Ariella standing near me, completely impatient. Her arms crossed over her white t-shirt as her white with navy blue stripe pajama pants dragged at the heel of her feet. Single pieces of her hair stood in the air, something that I've taken a notice since she was two.

''Mommy!'' She wined with a stomp of her foot, wailing her arms down to her side and just as she did, I heard a beep on my phone. I removed it from my ear to look at it, only to see it completely shutting down.

My eye's enlarged as I tried turning it back on but it wasn't doing nothing but to continuously have the screen pitch black.

''And it's dead''. I sighed frustratingly as I threw my phone on the cushion beside me, placing my head in my palms.

I just wanted to yell at Ariella and ask her what the hell she wanted, but instead I took deep breaths. I needed to learn to have some patience, especially since I'm a mother now.

''What Ariella?'' I asked as calmly as I could possible, running a hand through my hair.

''I'm hungry''.

A sentence like that at this current moment would've made me ticked off and have a full on rage, but then I remember that she's only 3. I exhaled deeply before turning to her with my head still in the palm of my hands.

''Me too sweetie. Me too'' I replied. She walked closer to me as she used both of her little hands to grip onto my knee.

''Maybe we can go outside and eat'' She suggested, showing off a toothy grin. She repeatedly bounced on her tippy toes, waiting for an answer.

''Okay, IHop?'' I asked. She nodded as she ran to her room, coming back out with sneakers in her hand after a moment later.

''You don't plan on getting dress?'' I asked a smile playing my lips.

''What for? IHop gives breakfast, you wear pj's while eating breakfast'' Ariella stated, making her own logic. I snorted, while shaking my head.

'Just like her dad', I thought as she sat on the floor, trying to quickly put on her shoes. I got up and left to get my shoes as well.

× × ×

''Mommy, I want this'' Ariella stated as she approached me with a package of Trix yogurt in her hands. My eye's widened at the sight, I can't believe they still sell those.

''Uh, no honey we need to buy food'' I replied as I moved the shopping cart down the aisle a bit as I search for Wonder bread.

After eating at IHop, I decided to come to the supermarket and get some food that'll last for the month.

''But this is food'' She attempted to reason, following me with the item still in her hands.

''Ariella that's a snack, I said food, there's a difference'' I stated with a little bit of more force put into it.

She pouted as she ran off, hopefully putting it back where she found it. She then came back and that same pout was still evident on her face. I ignored it as I started going near the aisle that held items such as milk, drinks and such.

''Ooh mommy-''.

''No'' I immediately said, knowing it's gonna be something she wants that won't be so necessary.

She stood in her spot, near the item where as I kept walking.

''But It's Strawberries!'' She called as I turned the corner to get into the next aisle.

''Come On!'' I demanded. I then heard her exasperate exaggeratingly loud in anger as she ran after me.

''Ow!''.

''Oh my god I'm so sorry''.

I turned around to still not see Ariella. I sighed frustratingly as I then walked back to the end of the aisle -being that, that was where I last saw her- to see her on the floor holding her head while a lady with tan skin and kinky dark brown curled hair went around the the metal cart to help her.

''What the hell'' I muttered as I rushed towards the two.

''Are you her sister?'' The lady asked as her easily seen light grip was around Ariella's arms -her little arms wrapped around her head-, aiming to lift her off of the floor, but she was resiting.

''No mother, what happened?'' I questioned as I picked up Ariella, holding her by my side. She hid her head in the crook of my neck.

''I was coming out as the same time she was running, but I swear this was all an accident'' She explained. Her eye's constantly going onto Ariella as she explained.

''It's okay, she's been acting up a bit since this morning'' I excused, not fully blaming the woman. But she could've at least watched where she was going.

''I'm Melissa, if something goes wrong with her head just find me at the hospital'' She stated, a sympathetic smile shown.

I nodded. ''Thank you, I'll keep that in mind''.

I then walked back to where I left the cart, putting Ariella in the baby seat. She pouted as she observed me buckling her in -even though in her tiny size will be difficult for herself to try and escape-. Once it clicked, my hand went through her hair, seeing if there was a bump or some sort forming on her scalp but felt nothing.

I sighed in relief as I shook my head at the same time.

''Stop''. I eyed her warningly as she nodded, comprehending why I said what I said.

× × ×

''Mommy this is all too heavy'' Ariella complained as she was a few feet behind me. I turned to her to see her struggle with two bags.

''Ariel you're only carrying the bread and eggs'' I stated along with a giggle.

''So?'' She questioned abrubtly as she was still struggling to carry two simple bags.

I giggled again with a shake of my head as I kept on walking. It was really funny because if she wanted to know what heavy really was, she would be carrying all of the meat.

''Let's ask someone for help'' Ariella suggested as she started studying her surroundings for someone who will be willing to do the job. I quickly stopped and turned to her.

''No, we don't need help. We're only a block away from home'' I attempted to reason but a lightbulb might as well been dimmed above her head as she spotted someone.

''Hey Mister! Please Give Us Hand!''.

'She's in so much trouble when we get home', I thought.

I followed Ariella's gaze across the street to see she was looking at a muscular man. He gave off that type of image where he's like 'look-at-me-and-I'll-kick-you're-ass'. He watched us intently, his eye's practically burning me but Ariella was too naive and oblivious to notice.

''I Said Please!'' She called, not seeing the reason why he hasn't come over to help us yet.

''Ariella let's go'' I hissed.

''Don't worry''.

I jumped at the anonymous voice beside me. It was the guy from across the street.

He showed off a small smile before grabbing some of my bags. Of course I was hesitant about giving it to him at first, but he looked up at me with reassurance.

Slowly but reluctantly, I gave him the bags.

''Yay'' Ariella cheered but I wasn't no where near happy. A total stranger has all my groceries that I payed for. He can run off at any moment.

''Lead the way'' He said kindly, but it almost looked faked. I took out my hand for Ariella as she came over. I replaced the bag of eggs from her grip with my hand as we started walking to my apartment building.

''My name's Ariella. What's your name?'' Ariella spoke as we walk. I tightened my grip on her hand, causing her to look at me.

The man beside us saw my actions to Ariella's question, but he decided to answer anyway.

''Derek''.

''You look like a Derek'' She instantly said. He smiled down at her before he looking up again with his serious tuff guy face.

''Do you have friends?-''.

''Ariella'' I stated alarmingly, trying my hardest not to snap at her.

''No'' He simply said.

''What! Impossible, nope there has to be someone?'' She shrieked, full of curiosity.

"Nope".

''Well today is your lucky day. Now I'm your friend'' Ariella stated, smiling at the older man. I swear this feels like I'm thirdwheeling some sort of Spongbob and Squidward moment.

''Okay, friend''. He smiled. Again, it looked extremely fake. I rolled my eye's along with an small unpleasant groan.

''We're here'' I announced solemnly. I released my grip from Ariella as I turned to Derek. I had my palms out, ready to have my bags back.

''I can help bring it u-''.

''That won't be necessary'' I interrupted him quickly as I dared to show no emotions on my face whatsoever. He observed me for a moment before he finally gave in.

Once I had my bags he walked away.

''Bye Derek'' Arriella called. He waved, not even looking back at her as he does so.

''Get inside'' I demanded harshly as we walked up the few steps of the stoop, getting inside of our apartment building.