The Pressures of Zombies and Parenting

The Pressures of Zombies and Parenting

By Kevin Layell Jr

Published by Kevin Layell Jr at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Kevin Layell Jr

Discover future titles by Kevin Layell Jr at Smashwords.com

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Special thanks to Joe O and my friends, for keeping me inspired throughout this whole thing.

And for my family, who continue to be the reason I move myself forward and better myself.

Chapter 1

"Just get your shoes on and let’s go!" I yelled for the third time.

Tim, my ten year old, continued to pretend to scramble looking for his shoes while his eyes stayed glued to the television. The youngest, eight year old Garrett was already dressed, jacket and backpack ready to go, but still ready to block his brother’s progress. Such is the thought process of siblings. I moaned audibly, this was the consistent morning routine, and no matter how many times you hammer it into your children to just have everything ready the night before, it never happens.

I had had enough, and flicked the television off, which immediately sent my almost two year old daughter Violet into hysterics. If there wasn’t Bubble Guppies on TV, then what in the world was she to do? Her big ball of curly brown hair stuck up in every direction, as usual. I glanced down to her as she came running to me, arms up, begging me to do something to break her toddler monotony.

I picked her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek, It’s work time, baby. We gotta go! She made her pouty face and wrapped her arms around my neck, holding me tight. I had to smile; I loved this stage of children. Of course, eventually they grew up to be taller, mouthier, and eventually (so they thought) smarter than you.

My wife Audrey was still upstairs, getting ready for the day. I always left earlier than her since she attended college for a few hours every couple of days. Dealing with the baby was her ordeal while I brought home the bread and butter.

Tim finally found his shoes and snatched his backpack up to wait with me by the door. Where’s your coat? I asked. He groaned and slammed his backpack into the ground, scrambling again for the jacket he had just the night before. He started for the kitchen, God only knows what reason, just to be tripped up by his brother’s outreaching foot.

"Garrett! Seriously? Was that necessary!?" I yelled to him.

Whaaaaat? He asked in that whiny tone he had when he knew he did something wrong, I was just standing.

I groaned again and let it go, looking at the clock. It was 8:10. They had to be at school by 8:30 so they could have breakfast, and then I was due at work at 9 o’clock. These kids had to hurry. I hate being late.

Alright baby, we’re leaving! I said up the stairs.

Okay, bye! Don’t forget your lunch! She yelled down the stairs. Today was her day off from classes, but I could still smell the fragrant aroma of charred hair coming down the stairs from her hair straightener.

I smirked to myself, forgetting I had to grab that and went to kitchen to grab it out of the refrigerator, baby in hand. By the time I got back to the door, both my boys were waiting for me impatiently. I turned back on her TV show, sat her down in her favorite purple chair, and headed out the door silent between my two boys. I knew what they were thinking, that now they were waiting for me, but that wasn’t how the game was played.

The boys loaded up into the van, when I realized I forgot my cell phone. Be right back, I said to them before starting up the engine to let it warm up as I dashed back into the house. My phone sat by the couch while my daughter ignored me for what apparently was lunch time on the show. I unplugged and glanced down at the power bar. 10%.

Are you kidding me!? I said loudly to my wife, Who unplugged the stupid charger!?

I had to charge my laptop! She responded with irritation.

I groaned and shoved the phone into my pocket. We had a car charger, but it wouldn’t charge much on such a short trip. It only took so long to get there thanks to stop lights. You’re home all day, why would you need to charge it if you’re sitting next to a plug?

Just go to work and come home a little less jackass.

I grumbled with my own irritation, not in the mood to continue the fight that would get us nowhere. There so I headed back out to start the day.

Chapter 2

Daddy, do we take the bus or get picked up this afternoon? Tim asked, eyes glued to the passenger window of the van.

Take the bus, Mommy will be there to pick you up. I replied, glancing around to make sure these drivers weren’t going to make me yell at them in a fanciful act of road rage this early in the morning.

Okay… He said, dirty blonde hair covered by the hood of his jacket. He continued glancing down at his backpack and hugging it to his chest.

I sighed, looking up at the rearview. Whenever he had that look, it only meant he was doing something wrong. It was just one of those things you learn when you become a parent. Garrett leaned back and the boys whispered something to each other, just reinforcing what I thought.

I let it slide though, and tried to listen to the podcast I had playing through my phone which was hooked up to the charger and to the speakers of the van at the same time. It was a cast about video games and interviewing celebrities that play them. The current discussion was about shooters and the likelihood of the current celebrity being put into one.

Sheridan Heights Elementary appeared ahead of us, the street lights giving me a break for once and allowing me to get there with a minute to spare. I pulled in front of the school behind the line of other parents dropping their children off. The doors to the school didn’t open until exactly 8:40, but there were still tons of kids running around insanely after their parents dropped them and forgot them before school.

That’s fine I thought, I wouldn’t leave my kids alone to get hurt or to be kidnapped.

I put the vehicle in park while my kids scrambled and moved to the door. Book bag check, I said.

They both moaned in unison, either knowing I had caught them or tired of me doing this. I checked Garrett’s bag first. He had nothing but the usual balled up papers, pencils, and whatever math homework he had from the night before. Tim’s backpack proved to have what they were chattering about. I pulled out his Nintendo DS from the hidden flap in the back.

Seriously, Tim?

Whaaaaaat? He said, in the same high pitched tone his brother had taken earlier.

How many times do we let you take video games, or any toys to school?

Well sometimes you let us when we-

The answer is never. I said sternly, cutting him off. You know that, so why do you still try it?

The other kids in my class bring theirs all the time… He said, tears brimming in his downcast eyes. A face I knew all too well meant that he was trying to get one over on me, but it never worked… Well, today. I had known this child far too long.

Yes they do, and they also get them taken away, or broken. You’re too smart for that, school is for learning, which is much more important than video games. I zipped up his backpack and handed it back to him. Don’t be upset, you’ll be able to play video games next weekend, because they’re sure off limits this one.

"Oh come oooooon" He said angrily, throwing open the door to get out with his brother.

I love you guys, have a good day! I said as the door slammed shut and they ran up the steps.

I sighed again. Sometimes being a good parent was tough. I don’t like being a mean parent, but sometimes is necessary if you don’t want your child to grow up a spoiled rotten little hellion.

This should be a fun day.

Chapter 3

The parking lot at Brody’s was already full. Such was the life of a massive home improvement store right in the center of the city. Monday through Friday the store was uber busy, and completely dead on the weekends. The exact opposite of every other retail store in the world, but it made the day go by faster.

I sat in the van, contemplating the events of the day. I had arrived with