Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Texas Mutiny Series: Kabanata 151 - Kabanata 160

"Uncle Marcus, Uncle Marcus!"I smile when I hear the girls racing to greet him and Theo finally catching up yelling what sounds like "Unca-Muck". I gave Marcus the apartment key for emergencies. Apparently babysitting so I can go out is an emergency.But it keeps me from having to go to the door in my robe, so I have no reason to complain.Slowly, so I don't accidentally poke myself in the eye, I swipe mascara over my top lashes. It takes a few minutes to make sure I get all the lashes. Those little ones on the side like to play hard to get.Finally, I stand back and look at myself in the mirror. Not bad. I'm not used to wearing so much make-up so the smoky-eye effect needs a little work, but overall I think I did a pretty good job. The lady at Ulta who did my makeover would be pleased.A low whistle comes from the doorway where Marcus is leaning, arms crossed. "Look at you all gussied up. Your make-up looks amazing.""So I did it right?""Yep. You're getting a lot better at putting i

Racing through the parking lot, I dodge as many puddles as I can. I swear it started raining a month ago and hasn't let up. Even worse, it's muggy. Really muggy. But that's what early June in Houston is like every year. At least the rain is keeping the bugs away for now."Shit," I yell as I accidentally land right in a puddle. I look up and see Mari's elderly neighbors staring at me and my filthy mouth. "Sorry. I landed in a puddle."The old man doesn't seem amused but the woman, I can tell she's trying not to grin.Reaching Mari's door, I bang as quickly as I can. It's only eight in the morning, but we've spent a lot of time together over the last couple of months. I know their routine pretty well again, and I'm sure the kids are up by now. When the door opens revealing Mari still in her jammies, coffee cup in hand, my suspicions are confirmed."Sorry!" I whiz past her and into the living room where the kids are already playing. "I left my schedule here and couldn't find the website t

I look around the waiting room, shoving my wallet back in my pocket after paying the obligatory twenty-dollar co-pay. It's not a lot, but it adds up when you have a weekly therapy appointment.With my knee shaking up and down, I recognize I'm nervous. Really nervous.Mariana has never asked for us to go see Justin together, but she did this time and wouldn't tell me why. Just said there are things we need to discuss. It worries me that she wants to cut the amount of time I've been spending with the kids. I know I've been at her apartment a lot lately, but it didn't seem like she minded. I can't believe I read the situation wrong and I don't understand why she can't just tell me this outside of therapy.The door flies open and Justin stands there with his normal relaxed look on his face. "Hey guys. Come on in."Mari smiles and greets him like everything is normal. I just mumble a hello as I walk past him."How's school going, Santos?" he asks before we even sit down on the couch. So muc

"The house was built in 2001, which is really young for the neighborhood. Now, I know the lots are a little smaller, but that really cuts down on the cost and it means less yard maintenance for you." I look through the pantry and kitchen cabinets as my realtor, Alice, continues to drone on about the benefits of the home. I'm already sold on it, though. But she doesn't need to know that yet.The house is perfect. Four decent-sized bedrooms and two full bathrooms are upstairs, which means I can be close to the kids at night. It also has a game room that will come in handy as the kids get older and more independent. Downstairs boasts a small open-concept kitchen and den area with a small dining room just off the kitchen. Perfect for keeping an eye on the kids while I cook. There's also a half bathroom and a laundry room. And a small room that's supposed to be a formal living room, but I'd rather turn it into an office area.Despite how open and spacious it is inside, from the outside, it

"As you can see, there are five groups. Each group has four stars in it. Let's count the stars. Ready?" I use my dry erase marker to count how many stars are on the board. "There's twenty. So five times four equals twenty."I look up at Kimberly who has a grimace on her face."I'm doing a terrible job at this, aren't I?"She turns off the camera we're using to tape our lessons while trying really hard to give me an encouraging look, but finally gives up. "Well, it's not good."I toss the dry erase marker down on the table of the small library work room and drop myself into the chair. "Why do I have to present a third-grade lesson?" "Do you want the real answer or a sarcastic answer?""Let's start with sarcastic.""Because Professor Johnston randomly chose third grade for your project."I make a "hrmph" and cross my arms. "And the real answer?""Because in order to be certified to teach middle school, you have to know both the kindergarten through seventh grade and eighth through high