Start It Again

The streets of London were busy with eager Christmas shoppers. It was late November, and people were already going crazy. Panic hit me when I realized how many people were around, and finding a 4 year old boy in the darkening cold streets was going to be damn near impossible.
I pulled my jacket tighter around my body, beginning to grow cold. Oh Lucah, where are you?
I had decided this morning that because it was my day off, I would start doing some Christmas shopping before it got to late. The babysitter had bailed, so my 4 year old son Lucah had to come with me. I realized now what a bad idea that was, as he was a wonderer and it was getting darker and colder by the second.
How long had I been looking? 20 minutes? 30 minutes?
Just as I had almost lost it and was ready to call the police and have a meltdown, I seen a small lit shop on the corner. It looked to be a music shop, with guitars and a drumkit lining the display window. Lucah had always loved guitars. I peered closer in and seen Lucah sitting on a black sofa beside a man playing a guitar. Anger and relief flooded my body as I entered the shop.


"Lucah!" He looked up at me, startled blue eyes meeting mine as I stormed over to him. I picked him up off the sofa and hugged him tight to my chest, my breathing slowly calming down. I put him down and knelt down in front of him.
"Why would you run away from Mummy? You can't do that! It's getting dark, and someone could have easily taken you. You've had me scared to death!"
"I'm sorry Mummy. I heard the man playing and I wanted to listen,"
"That is no excuse Lucah. This man could have been a bad man," I stood and looked at the heavily tattooed man who was looking at me unexpectedly.
"I wouldn't of hurt the little guy," he said, smiling at Lucah. I felt a tinge of anger and tried not to snap.
"It does not matter if you would or not. He is a 4 year old boy who had no adult with him. That should make you think that he is lost, and maybe help try find who he was with!"
"Look, lady, I'm sorry. Your kid wondered in here, and I'm the only one working right now. I can't just leave the shop," the man defended himself.
"Whatever," He made perfect sense, but I was still pissed and worried. "C'mon Lucah, we're going home,"
"Thanks Tony," Lucah smiled up at the man admirably as I fixed his beanie and tightened his scarf.
The man, Tony, smiled back. "No problem, bud."


Opening the apartment door, I threw the car keys on the table and let Lucah down.
"You realize what you did today was extremely silly and dangerous?" Lucah nodded, looking down at the floor guiltily. "Why would you do that, baby? I could have lost you,"
"I just... I really liked the guitars Mummy. And Tony is really good at playing,"
"I believe that he is, but it is still no excuse," I sighed, taking off his raincoat and boots. Lucah took off his beanie and I ran my fingers through his blonde curls.
"I know. I'm really sorry. Please don't be angry anymore," Lucah looked up at me sadly, his pink lips turned in a little pout. I smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
"Okay, no more angry Mummy. Go put your clothes away while I make dinner." Lucah grinned, and ran off to his room with his clothes.


After a dinner of potatoes, steamed vegetables and sausages, I took Lucah in for a bath. I put in his favourite bath toys and lots of bubbles.
"Hey Mum?"
"Yes, love?" I asked, combing the shampoo through his hair.
"Will I be with you tomorrow, too?" I smiled sadly, and washed his hair out by tilting his head back.
"No baby boy, I'm sorry. I'm working tomorrow. But Aunty Cheryl will be here with you. You love Aunty Cheryl,"
"But I'm always with Aunty Cheryl. I want to be with you,"
"I know, Lucah. I want to be with you, too." Not much was said after that. I lifted him out and wrapped him in a towel before carrying him to his room to dry him off and dress him in his favourite pyjamas. They were warm penguin ones my mum got him for his birthday. I put him into bed and sat beside him, telling him a story.
It took less time for him to fall asleep tonight. It's been a big day for both of us. I smiled down at the sleeping boy and gently stroked a stray curl away from his forehead. As I turned off the light and closed the door, I was tempted to turn in myself. No, Lena. You have to study. I sighed and made my way into the kitchen, turning on the kettle to make myself some rosemary tea.


I settled myself down on the sofa, tea in hand, and opened my Archaeology book.
I jumped in fright as I felt something rubbing against my legs. I looked down and seen Mr Snuggles. I looked at the time, realizing that I had forgot to feed her. 12:03am. No wonder you're being affectionate. I filled up her food bowl and sighed. Mr Snuggles is a female adult cat that was the definition of pure evil. She was orange and white in colour, and was extremely fluffy. She also had the ability to look adorable and nice one second, and then she attempts to rip your face off the next. She was a stray that roamed the streets eating garbage outside of our apartment building, and Lucah felt bad for her and wanted to take her home.
I am a softie and couldn't say no to my son, so here I am in a tiny shitty apartment with an asshole cat. Oh, the joys of being a single mother.
Closing my bedroom door behind me, I stripped down and decided I would wake up earlier and shower in the morning. After dressing in my nana nightgown, I climbed into bed and shivered, pulling the blankets up over myself. It was getting colder every night. I hope Lucah is warm enough. I have to try and remember to put more blankets on his bed tomorrow. I set my alarm clock on 20 minutes earlier and closed my eyes, hoping to fall asleep quickly.


I woke to the sound of the ever so pleasant beeping of the alarm. It always put me in such a bad mood. I kicked off the blankets and headed to the bathroom, checking in on Lucah on the way. Still asleep.
I stood under the lukewarm jets of water, cursing that I didn't have a shower that could go hot and maybe have decent pressure. I washed myself and my hair in under 10 minutes, wanting nothing but to get out of the unpleasant water box that was my shower. Getting out and wrapping a towel around myself, I stepped out into the cold air, my bare feet not enjoying the cold tiles at all.
Lucah wasn't in his room, so he would be up sitting in front of the telly like every morning. I got dressed into my usual work attire of black pants and white long sleeved blouse when I work my breakfast to dinner shift at The Table.
There was a knock on the door half way through brushing my hair after making Lucah some cereal. I sighed, looking at the brush that was stuck in the tangle of my hair. I shrugged and opened the door, seeing my best friend and lifesaver, Cheryl. She babysat Lucah when I worked, whenever I needed.
"Lena, look at you!" Cheryl laughed, looking at the brush that was stuck in my hair.
"I know, I know. I have to finish getting ready. Make some tea, would you?"
"Of course," I smiled at her gratefully, making my way back to the bathroom as Lucah realized Cheryl was here.
After 5 minutes of attempting to tame the mane that was my hair, I gave up realizing that if I carried on I would make myself very late for work. I just threw my hair up in a bun and secured it down with a few bobby pins. I shall tend to my hair later.
"I have no time for tea!" I groaned, grabbing my car keys and my jacket. I threw my phone into my purse as Cheryl looked at me with a frown.
"You look a god awful mess,"
"Why thank you, Cheryl. How kind of you to take time out of your day to say so," She was right, but I was not in the mood to give her the satisfaction of knowing so.
"You know I mean well. You spend all your free time studying, and it's not good for you. Go out and get yourself a man, go out with a friend, go buy yourself something," Cheryl stood up and hugged me.
"I don't have time in my life for that right now, you know that. As soon as studying is done I can make a better life for Lucah,"
Cheryl smiled. "I wish you could do it for yourself also,"
"Maybe one day," I smiled back. "Bye honey. I will see you later." I kissed Lucah on the cheek and hurried out the door.


I arrived to work 5 minutes late, as to me falling on my ass by slipping on the icy path. Winter is a dangerous time.
I clocked in and took my place behind the counter, sneaking myself a quick tea.
"Your butt happens to be soaked, dear," I turned to greet a laughing Maria.
"I fell on the way in." I admitted with a shrug. Maria was a lovely lady who worked with me. She was in her fifties, but still acted like she was 21. I was 27, but I felt like a 50 year old. I envy Maria.
It was just after lunch and I was about ready to go on my break when a customer walked in.
"I thought I recognized you," I frowned at the voice, and looked closer at the man.
"Oh, it's you," I said as the heavily tattooed man from last night sat at the counter.
"It is me. The name is Tony. Tony Perry," he outstretched his arm to me, but I ignored it. "What's your name, doll?"
"Not doll, that's for sure," I narrowed my eyes in disgust. Doll? What kind of name is that?
"Well, what's your name, and I won't have to call you Doll," Tony shrugged.
"Lena Ballas. Now if you don't mind, I am on my break,"
"Greek?" he asked in surprise.
"American?" I countered back with a raise of an eyebrow.
"Mexican, actually," Tony grinned proudly.
"Well, that's great. I must go now. Nice talking to you," I faked a smile and turned.
"Wait, Lena. I think I must formally apologize for last night. Have lunch with me?" I sighed and bit my lip. I could use a little company... Beats sitting outside in the cold by myself.
"Alright."


Tony smiled at me over his cup of coffee, me wrinkling my nose in disgust as the strong aroma made contact with my nose.
"So, why are you here?" he asked.
I raised my eyebrow. "I work here,"
"No, why are you here? In London, Miss Fancy Greek?"
"Well, I was born here. I've only ever been to Greece twice," I answered, looking out the window. This was so awkward. "What about you?"
"I live in San Diego, but I've moved here for a change of scenery. I've only been here 3 months,"
"Change of scenery?" I laughed. "You left San Diego for here? You're a crazy man,"
"What, you don't like it here?"
"It's home, but I would like to get Lucah out of here as soon as I can. He loves the sun, and so do I. We just don't get enough," I shrugged.
"Yeah? Where is the little guy? Oh, it's a Monday. He'll be at preschool," My smile faded and Tony looked worried.
"What's wrong?"
"He uh.. I can't afford him going to kindergarten right now. I'm saving just to get him to school," I answered sadly. "There's nothing I want more than for him to go and make friends with kids his age. I just can't do anything about it right now,"
"Oh? No boyfriend, husband...?" Tony looked extremely guilty, like he had brought up a touchy topic.
"No," I laughed. "I was 22 when I got pregnant. My boyfriend left me straight away. I was studying at the time, still am. So I'm buried deep in debt and I'm working 2 jobs to try pay it off and take care of Lucah so I don't really have time for a man," Why was I telling a stranger my life story? I really need to learn to shut it.
"What are you studying?" Tony seemed to look truly interested, and it made me smile.
"I home study Anthropology, but I'm based at Imperial College," Tony looked confused, and I rolled my eyes. "It's a comparitive study of human societies, cultures and development. It's confusing,"
"Ah, so you're the smart type," Tony nodded.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I gaped, almost offended.
"Well, with women you just can't tell if they're pretending to be smart, of if they just are," he shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee.
"You are so sexist! That is like me saying you must listen to heavy music and be a thug because you have lots of tattoos,"
"You've got a point there," he grinned. His teeth are so white and straight he could be a toothpaste model. "Do you like them though? Or do you actually think that?"
"I like them," I admitted. They were very interesting and pretty. "I've never known anyone with that many tattoos,"
"Well, now you do," I smiled and then checked the time on my phone.
"Oh shit, my break was over 10 minutes ago," I cursed.
"Time flies by when you're having fun, don't it?"
"I guess it does. Thanks for the talk Tony. I'll see you round," I stood and walked back behind the counter.
"Yes you will. See you later, Lena." Tony waved before standing up and leaving. He didn't even clear up his cup! I sighed in frustration and went over to the table, automatically noticing the 20 pound note left on the table next to a napkin that read 'Thanks for the coffee and chat, here's a tip. I'll be seeing you.'
And for the first time in a while, I smiled for something other than my son.

Notes

Hello! I am the old ofmiceandtaylor, if anyone has read my stories The Journal, Don't Look In His Eyes, and I'm Marrying Who? I have tried for a very long time and on each device I go on I can not log back onto that account so therefore I cannot update. SO, here is my new story, I hope you like!