Today was a relaxing Saturday, my usual sleep in day, but for some odd reason I had woke up at nine in the morning.

I plopped down onto the couch and turned on the television.

"Good morning, mommy" Troy rubbed his sleepy eyes, walking towards me "Good morning, honey bun" I replied, putting my arms out for him to come into. We hugged affectionately as mother and son. He sat next to me.

"What are you doing up so early?" I wondered.

"I didn't see you in bed?" .. Troy and I lived in a one bedroom apartment, I mean, that's all I was able to afford at this time.

"Aw" I cooed wrapping my arms around him.

"What are we going to do today mommy?"

"I dunno" I shrugged.

"Arcade? Pleaseeee" he had on his best puppy dog face on.. I sighed, struggling to resist.

There was much that I had to do with my money and throwing it all away at the arcade isn't one of them. I gotta pay the bills and rent and also, we had no groceries.

"Honey, I don't have money for that right now. I'm sorry" he sighed, looking away from me towards the television, looking as if he were destined to cry. He's been asking me to go to the arcade for a long time, I just didn't have the money...

"How about the park this afternoon?" I asked, trying to cheer him up real quick.

"No thanks" he replied blankly. I left him to his lonesome to go and take a hot shower. When I finished, I dressed into dark blue skinny jeans and a white long sleeve blouse with my hair in natural bouncy curls, stud earrings and did my makeup and flats.

"Troy come take your shower" he came over to me and I showered him, getting him in some black shorts, a red Nike sleeveless shirt and white and red Nike shoes.

"Where are we going?" He asked with some hope written all over his face.

"Grocery shopping."

"Oh" he sounded less interested. We left from the apartment heading towards the elevator.

Once we got in the car we drove to the CIBC bank and I withdrew a hundred dollars as I was heading back to the car someone taps me, I turn around to see Prince who was better known by his government name, Jacob. I hugged him ever so tightly.

"I knew it was you" he says while we were in the middle of hugging.

"Prince how have you been?" I said, braking loose from out of the hug.

"Good, you know touring and all. All the boys are here in Cali, you know" I looked away uncomfortably as I thought of yesterday.

"How have you been?"

"Pretty good" I smile remembering that Troy was in the car "C'mon I want you to meet someone" I pulled him with me.

"Prince, meet my boy Troy" I introduced Prince to Troy.

"Oh my gosh, he's so big now-" he looks from me to Troy. Then finally stops at Troy "I'm Princeton" he smiled, flashing his perfect rows of teeth.

"You're from that popular boy band right?" He asked amused.

"Yeah, how do you know?"

"My mom's a big fan" He emphasized on the word big. Prince looked at me then back to Troy while I stood there seemingly embarrassed. "Really?" He had a dose of sarcasm in his tone.

"Yeah" Troy nodded. "Mommy you never told me you knew any famous people" Troy pressed, somewhat causing me to laugh.

"Where y'all heading?"

"Grocery shopping."

"That can wait-" he turned to Troy. "How about we head to the arcade buddy?" He asked as if he knew what Troy truly wanted. Troy's smile almost grew wider than his face.

"YAY!" he exclaimed.

"Prince it's just gonna be us...right?" I looked at him raising my eyebrows.

"Of course not" he types on his phone. Uh no this is gonna be Bad. I look over at Troy who was so excited, he's been wanting to go for a while now and finally he gets to, I can ruin this moment for him just because of Craig. Fuck that.

****

Prince came along with us to the arcade, when we arrived everyone was already there except Craig, it was obviously because we stopped for ice cream on the way. Prince just wants to spoil Troy rotten.

As we got out the car Ray is the first to give me a hug.

"Janelle!" He exclaims "Ray!" I exclaim also "I've missed you" I murmur into his neck "yeah I've miss you too" We pull out the hug and he looks over to Troy.

"Wassup buddy I'm Ray, twice If you bad" Troy looks at him almost confused "Hi" Troy waves while I move on to Chresanto who was holding hands with a brown skinned girl, she had on shorts and a tight cropped top, Jordan's and her hair was in a ponytail and side bangs with stud earrings and a side bag.

I run into Chresanto's arms breaking their hands from each other "Chres!" I exclaim, he chuckles before hugging back lightly, I knew he was just trying not to upset his girl and I understand that. I came out the hug and the girl looks at me in disgust.

"I'm sorry, it's been a while since we've seen each other. But I assure you you're in good hands" she gives me a weak smile.

I didn't even notice Craig's arrival, I went back to where Ray was to get Troy so I could introduce him to Chresanto.

"Mom, Isn't that the guy that bought me food yesterday" before I could answer Troy loosened his hands from mine and went running to Craig. He's always been that kid that loves to greet everyone, known and unknown.

"Hi"

"Oh hey Troy" he began about to hug him but I was right beside Troy, he looked up at me and pulled away.

"Baby here are your keys" says a light skinned girl with nice curly red hair, and good enough body. She was wearing faded blue three quarter pants with a light pink lose crop and her hair in a messy yet appropriate bun. I grew angry just looking at her, how could Craig bring his girlfriend where I am and most importantly where my son is.

I took Troy's hand and we walked to the entrance with Prince and Ray.

Ray being the playfully and happy person he is, he goes along to play with Troy, I could see from the corner of my eye that Craig was preparing himself to go join them, he gets himself some tokens and put something in his girlfriend's purse before grabbing her hand and pulling her along with him, I was about to marching towards them when Prince grabs my hand.

"What were you about to do?" He asks with an eyebrow raised

"To get my son" he sighs

"Janelle you can't keep pushing Craig away from Troy, that's his father and-"

"I raised my son on my own Prince, Craig has no right to come fighting for his position now, its too late."

"It's not too late he still has a chance, only if you're willing to give it to him"

"Well I'm not ready, I don't think I ever will-" I look away "- Who's that girl anyways" Prince smirks shaking his head probably thinking I'm jealous, which I'm not.

"That's Ariana, his girlfriend. I'm pretty sure you've figured. Beautiful isn't she?"

"She's aight" I purse my lips together looking at Prince blankly while he laughs making me chuckle.

"Mommy! Look what I have-" he showed me the tons of tickets in a bucket "- Uncle Ray and uncle Craig helped me get them. I'm going to win a big teddy bear" he emphasizes on 'big' while I roll my eyes at the fact that he just called Craig his uncle.

"That's gre-"

"Mommy come play a game with me, I have 3 tokens left" he grabs my hand and pulls me Prince following behind.

"I want this game mommy!" I nod "it's a three player game.....uncle Ray you wanna play?"

"No thanks T imma go get something to eat"

"What about you Uncle Prince?"

"Nah, I'll just watch"

"Uncle Craig, what about you" he pouts I scoff rolling my eyes while Prince punches my arm, Craig looks at me and shakes his head "I'd love to Troy" I roll my eyes once more cause I knew he didn't just do this to please Troy but also to get under my skin because I was playing too. I read the label and it read 'instert $2'

"Troy this game costs money, we shouldn't play it we don't want to waste-"

"Here you go Troy" Craig hands him a toonie

"Thank you Uncle Craig, your the best...we can play mommy" I look at Craig in disgust and he smiles in return

"Begging for attention, as per usual." I call randomly

"Next time don't be using excuses to hide the fact that you're broke" he calls looking right at me.

"You wanna fight nig-" Prince covers my mouth before I could finish what I was going to say and grabs my hand pulling me away "Ariana mind playing in Janelle's place?" She gives Prince a weak smile and shakes her head.

"What's your problem?" He barks at me

"I just don't appreciate being called broke, I know what I am, I don't need any one identify that for me"

"He wouldn't have done that if you didn't call him beg, why can't you act mature you're not a child for goodness sakes"

"Jacob are you trying to insult me?" I looked at him in disbelief.

"I'm not trying to insult you, but you need to stop acting like a fucking child" he walks away from me.

I stood there like I was dumbfounded and when it finally hit me I walked back to them

"Troy let's go!" I raised my voice, while Prince just looks at me,I am pissed.

"But mommy my teddy-" he stood there pointing to the direction where you win prizes.

"NOW!" I yelled.

"Janelle let him get the bear" Prince called sincerely as I began go walk again.

"Hey! I wasn't talking to you" I look at him my voice still in the same harsh tone, I stormed outside waiting for Troy getting hotter by the minute, he didn't show up. I stormed back in and Craig was waiting for the man to count up the tickets.

"Troy!"

"Can't you just wait? He's getting his bear" Craig says turning around. I walked up to where they were and snatched Troy up, Craig pulled Troy away from my grip.

"It won't take that long just wait!" he boldly raised his voice, taking me aback.

"Why are you trying to start a fight with me?"

"I don't have time to start an argument with you, I just need you to be patient, that's all" I stood there impatiently, grumbling at every possible chance I get, until the man finally gives Troy the bear.

I grabbed Troy but Craig pulls him back, glaring at me before bending down to match his low leveled height.

"Thank you uncle Craig. I had so much fun."

"No problem" he smiled getting up. Troy began walking and waves towards Prince before we reached outside.

I didn't even bother to sqad him on his behavior, I didn't want to use my anger on him so I just let it all go.

Today was literally the worst day ever.