Chapter 1: Roxanne’s Big Day
“Hurry up, Roxy, or you’ll be fired on your first day!” Mrs. Simmons shouted to her elder daughter, Roxanne, from the kitchen. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and buttered toast drifted through the house, filling the chilly morning air with warmth and comfort.
“Coming!” Roxanne replied as she spruced herself up in her bedroom. Getting a job in a prestigious company was not a small thing and she was not about to ruin it. She glanced nervously at the elegant silver watch on her wrist and adjusted it twice, determined not to arrive late on such an important day.
She was straight from Harvard University after studying there for five years, pursuing a course in commerce which she eventually got a degree in. Her life was one big blessing, especially when her best friend from school, Bree Javen, informed her that they would be working together. The news had made Roxanne scream with excitement over the phone the previous night, and she had barely slept afterward because of anticipation.
With the final touch of her lipstick on her lips and a straightening of the coat of her suit, she admired herself one last time on the mirror, breathed in and out, then walked out of her room confidently down to the kitchen counter where she and her family always had breakfast. The clicking sound of her stilettos echoed softly along the polished hallway as she descended the stairs.
“You look marvelous, dear!” Mr. Simmons exclaimed to her as she took her place. She smiled.
“Thanks, Dad.” She whispered. Her brother Arnold, who was in high school, eyed her from head to toe. His expression carried equal amounts of amusement and disbelief.
“Are you going to work or on a date?” He mocked her with a cheeky smile. Roxanne poured herself some coffee and took several slices of toast.
“At least I know how to dress for the occasion. Look at you: A shirt and jeans? To school? Are you serious?” She fired back at her nosy brother. “Get some tips from me, Arnie, and maybe then, girls will be all over you.” She added with a triumphant smile, then sipped her coffee. Arnold kept quiet and focused on his breakfast. A faint grin still lingered on his lips, showing that he secretly enjoyed their sibling banter.
“Hey hey, Roxanne. Don’t spoil my son for me. Girls at his age are trouble.” Mrs. Simmons told her daughter while looking at her and Arnold in turns. Arnold rolled his eyes. His father looked at him silently and bit into his toast. He knew that girls are every young boy’s delight. Still, he chose not to interfere and instead hid his amusement behind another bite of breakfast.
“Hurry up, son. We wouldn’t want you late for school.” Mrs. Simmons pressed Arnold. He gulped down his tea and ate the remaining toast then got up and grabbed his backpack. Roxanne craned her neck to see what he had on for footwear.
“Sports shoes? Are you going to play in school?” She taunted with a look of disbelief.
“Mom!” Arnold shouted urgently. His face reddened with embarrassment as he glanced toward the door, hoping none of the neighbors passing by outside could hear them.
“That’s enough, Roxanne. My beautiful baby is perfect just as he is.” Mrs. Simmons said with a smile and reached out for her son and kissed him on both cheeks.
“Sweetheart, he’s getting too old for that,” Mr. Simmons observed. Arnold nodded. At least somebody understood him. He looked at his older sister for one of her witty comments but she didn’t have any. She concentrated on her breakfast.
“My baby is never too old for his Mommy. Right, Pumpkin?” Mrs. Simmons replied, then asked Arnold. Roxanne snorted.
“Pumpkin?” She repeated. Arnold shook his head.
“Mom! I’m sixteen! I’m an adult now.” He said wearily. His mother looked at him as she folded her arms, then smiled fondly as she remembered how he was when he was born; tiny, helpless, pale, and loud. That was how she would always picture him no matter how old he became. To her, time had moved too quickly, and she still struggled to accept that her little boy was growing into a young man.
“Whatever. Tim, give him his lunch money.” Mrs. Simmons said to her husband, then began clearing the table. Mr. Simmons gave him the money.
“Bye Mom, bye Dad, and you…” Arnold started, then pointed at Roxanne. She looked up at him nonchalantly. “...make sure you don’t twist your ankles walking in those shoes you call stilettos, or break a guy’s neck with your outfit.” He concluded, then left. The front door slammed shut behind him moments later.
“Bye, son.” Mr. and Mrs. Simmons chorused.
“I got it. I got it.” Roxanne said proudly as she admired her chest then stroked her blond hair. She was plump, average in height, and beautiful. Her brother’s comment just told her something she already knew: She’s hot and irresistible. Her confidence had only grown stronger during her years in college, where she had learned to carry herself boldly and fearlessly.
She wiped the corners of her mouth carefully with her napkin and stood up.
“That was amazing, Mom.” She said.
“As always.” Mrs. Simmons replied proudly. Cooking for her family was one of the few things that gave her genuine peace and satisfaction every single day.
“I have to get going, guys,” she told her parents, then hugged both of them.
“Me too.” Mr. Simmons added, and rose from his seat. He glanced briefly at the clock hanging on the wall and realized traffic would soon become unbearable.
“You look stunning, darling.” Mrs. Simmons said as she held her daughter and looked into her eyes.
“Thanks, Mom.” Roxanne replied.
“Don’t forget to grab some groceries on your way from work and all the best on your first day.” Mrs. Simmons added, then hugged her daughter again.
“I won’t, and thanks a bunch,” Roxanne said. She mentally repeated the grocery list her mother had mentioned the previous evening so she would not forget anything later. With that, she turned to her father.
“Knock ’em dead, sweetie.” He said to her.
“I will. Later, guys!” She replied, then took her purse and strode out of the house. Outside, the bright morning sun reflected off parked cars and the quiet suburban street slowly buzzed to life as neighbors prepared for work and school.
“See you dear,” they once again said in unison.
“See you later, honey,” Mr. Simmons said to his wife, then kissed her.
“Later, dear. Have a great day.” She replied, and straightened his tie. “You look sharp.” She complimented. He smiled. He loved his wife because she always encouraged him in his job as a salesman. He took his briefcase.
“And you look beautiful, angel. As always.” He returned gently. Mrs. Simmons smiled and hugged him, then he left, leaving her to her day’s chores. Caring for her family was her job to her, and it paid off well, with her husband and firstborn daughter working. As she watched her husband drive away through the kitchen window, she allowed herself a small proud smile. Despite the struggles life occasionally brought, her family was healthy, united, and steadily building a bright future together.
