Chapter 2 - Day Off

Eva 

I’m standing outside, watering the plant beds around the apartment complex with a coffee in one hand while bobbing along to music semi-blasting through my headphones, looking up at the clear blue sky.  

What a beautiful, sunny morning it is. 

I have a rare day off on a Friday, no less, meaning I have a long weekend to catch up on things like paperwork and long-overdue chores. 

Someone taps on my shoulder, and I first put my coffee down and then quickly turn off the hose before turning around to see who it is. 

“Oh, good morning.” I say to my tenant, Elle. 

“Good morning. Do you have a moment?” She says, and I nod. 

I pull out my headphones, placing them in their case, and I sit down, gesturing for her to do the same, but she politely refuses. 

“I have work and then court. I simply wanted to have a quick word.” She says, biting the inside of her lip, looking all nervous. 

“Oh, yes. It’s the custody hearing, isn’t it?” I ask, and she nods. 

Elle, bless her heart, has had a tough time of it thanks to her no-good ex. I don’t know all the details, as I don’t want to pry, but I have a feeling, from her nervous expression, that whatever she has to say has something to do with it. 

“I hope today is the day. I honestly cannot understand how they cannot see it.” I say, taking a sip from my coffee. 

She scratches her head, giving me a nervous chuckle. “Thank you, and you are not the only one, but it is what it is.” 

I slowly nod. “So what’s on your mind?” I ask. 

“Well, I’m really sorry to do this, but I don’t think I will be able to cover the rent this month, but I promise next…” 

I raise my hand to cut her anxious ramble. 

I tilt my head and flash her a smile. “It’s okay. You pay when you can. Honestly, I keep saying this to you: I wish you would let me help more by introducing you to my lawyer friend. She would happily take your case pro bono, but you keep refusing, so if this is the only way you will allow me to help, then fine.” I say, getting up from my seat to walk over to her. 

She shakes her head. “No, no. I have worked way too hard to get myself independent, and simply you being generously lax about the rent is enough, but I thank you because at least that’s one less worry for me.” She says with a relieved smile. 

I nod. “Okay then. Well, I am happy to help any way I can. Have a good day, and I look forward to hearing what happens.” 

“Again, thank you, Miss Eva. Have a good day.”   

I pick up my headphone case, putting one in. “Oh, I will. I’m kid-free, professionally and personally speaking, meaning it’s a deep clean day.” I laugh, wiggling my brows while sticking my tongue out. 

“Oooh, exciting, but not for Mr Evans.” She giggles, waving me off. 

Everyone here knows whenever you hear loud music or me singing, it usually means I’m cleaning, cooking, or doing something in the building. 

I put my music back on and finish watering the plants, trying not to sing too loudly since it’s still early. 

By the time I finish and get back up to my apartment, I’m sweating, so I go to my room to change out of my long sweats and put on an old t-shirt, Daisy Dukes, and hair in a lazy bun. 

I quickly scroll through my playlist, putting the first song I come across that I like on full volume, and get busy, starting with the kitchen. 

I spend a good hour booty shaking while cleaning every nook and cranny of the kitchen when a particular song from my party days starts playing, making me feel nostalgic in a good way.

Hilarious how the songs I used to get down to in the club are now the ones I listen to to get down to, cleaning up food stains and shit from the cabinets. 

A bittersweet smile formed on my lips, shaking my head, remembering the good old days. 

However, in my case, those days were abruptly cut off due to my unexpected pregnancy when I was 19, thanks to a one-night stand at a college party. 

Exactly why alcohol, weed, and teens do not mix, and I learned that lesson the hard way, as I spent a good year and a half afterwards ashamed of myself, trying to figure out who got me pregnant until it was determined that it wasn’t my ex. 

Thank God, because I had always told people that it was from the one-night stand.

Only downside? 

I still don't remember who it was, and I know how that makes me sound, but hey, I was having a good time for the first time in a while back then, as I was going through a stressful and demanding time. 

Unfortunately, most of that night is still a blur, with the exception that it was the best sex I have ever had, but in regards to what the guy looked like? 

All I can recall is that he had a tattoo on his very nice, large chest and was dark-haired. 

I used to be able to see him in Kat when she was younger, but she mostly looks like me now, with her beautiful smile, dark brown hair, and the same green eyes that I have. 

I let out a big sigh, remembering those years as well as everything else that came with it afterwards.

Not long after it came out that I was having a baby at 19, out of wedlock, and because I didn’t know who my baby daddy was, my mother’s side of the family essentially shunned me. 

Who needs a phone when Greek mouths move faster than technology?

At first, that really hurt, especially their nasty words, but as time went on, I’ve learned to let that and them go. 

It’s been years since I even went to Greece because, of course, they would know the moment I set foot there and would probably kick me out. 

Hypocritical idiots. 

Whatever, I stopped caring a long time ago, and as long as I have Katerina, my parents, Lia, and my close friends in my life, I couldn't give a shit about the extended family. 

Especially the older, strict, old-fashioned, hypocritical members of that so-called family. 

As I am vacuuming the living room, my phone starts to ring from the kitchen, so I turn off the vacuum and look at the screen to see who is calling me before I answer, just in case it's my soon-to-be ex-husband, Andy. 

I don’t have the will, patience, or energy to have the same old conversation or fight about it. 

Still blows my mind that someone wants to stay in a loveless marriage, but hey, that is the difference between him and me, I guess. 

I smile when I see that it's my best friend, Amalia, or Lia, as I call her.

"Ελα γλυκια μου, how are you?" I say, answering the phone.  

"Ooh, I got sweetheart, I feel the love. What's got you in a cheerful mood? Did ya finally get laid?" She giggled on the phone while I rolled my eyes with a smile. 

Apparently, that's the only reason why someone had to be in a good mood, according to her, anyway. 

Lia and I are very close. 

We’ve known each other since we were pretty much babies, with our fathers being in the same unit when Papa was still serving. She is also Kat's godmother, or "nona," as the Greeks say.  

"If you mean by laid, I was lying in bed with my vibrator, then yes, I did and gave myself two lovely orgasms after I dropped off Kat yesterday, and again this morning." I tell her with a sarcastic tone.

 

"Boo girl, it's time to leave those alone, get yourself the real thing, even just for the night, you know, mama or I will watch Kat so you can use your alone time properly and get ya freak on!" She practically yells down the phone at me, which makes me regret wearing the AirPods!  

“Ε! Αμαλια μην φοναζεις τα αυτια μου γαμοτο!" I yell back, rubbing my poor ears. She may not understand or speak Greek as well as I do, but she has the tone and attitude of a Greek woman.  

 

"I have a pretty good idea of what ya said then, but just translate that anyway, so I know exactly what you said that way I don't look like an idiot. It's bad enough that I get grief from my mama for not speaking it as much as you do, as it is." Judging by her tone, I bet she's rolling her eyes. 

"First of all, you don't need my help in the idiot department, and secondly, I said don't yell in my ears, damn it! And lastly, work on your Greek, then maybe she will get off your back, just saying." I giggled. I know I've hit a nerve.   

"Come on now, don't join her bandwagon with that shit. You're supposed to be on my side, plus I have mama, your mama, and you to teach my hypothetical future children Greek if and when such a need arises. Anyway, don't change the subject, switch to video call, or are you free for a frappe (cold coffee)? I can be there in 20-30 minutes."  

"Uh, sure, come over. Also, I teach enough kids as is, my own included. I'm done! Speaking of which, I'm still surprised you don't have any yet, considering how often you and your man go at it. Actually, I'm surprised to have you on the phone right now!" I laughed. 

Even after being together for three years, they still go at it like rabbits. You would think they were still in the honeymoon phase. 

Sometimes, I do get a little jealous of their relationship, but I am happy for Lia. She deserves all the happiness in the world. Having someone who looks at you as if you are their entire world is something special, and everyone should have that. 

I guess for me, it’s just going to be my Kat and me, and I've made my peace with that. I wish others would accept that, like Lia, and just leave my sex life alone. 

Like, I've done the marriage thing, didn't work, and that's that. 

For the first time in my life, I'm actually happy being on my own. 

Well, and Kat. 

"Oh, haha, you're so funny but not entirely wrong. But can you blame me? He's yummy and he's so so good. I swear that man has destroyed me for all others, not that I would want them, cause none could compare to him and his skills." She giggled as I smiled, shaking my head at her no-filter mouth. 

 

"Thank god for birth control so we can keep practising, but this is what I mean. You deserve to have what I have with Angelo. Eva mou, it's time. Anyway, I'll be there soon, so get the frappes ready."  

 

I roll my eyes again. Thank God, she can't see me. "Ναι ναι (yeah yeah) okay see you soon αντε γεια (bye!)." 

I ended the call and walked around my kitchen island to make our cold coffees, awaiting her arrival and her usual lecture about me getting back out there. 

And here I was having a good time partying it up in my leisure, enjoying my alone time before I have to become mama Eva again. 

I turn my music back on, shuffling through my playlist, and I start singing Flowers by Miley. 

Lately, that song has become my personal anthem for reasons that are apparent, stemming from my years in therapy and my subsequent breakup with my ex. 

Anyway, I'd best hurry and get the rest of my chores done because I know the moment she arrives, I’m done for the day.