Dear Rosey,

I got a new job! Which is a good thing because it means I am one step closer to getting a car. Casta got one too. You see we have both been hired by the public library. The job neither of us thought we would get. The great thing is it is in walking distance, so we don’t have to figure out transportation.

We both got a job as a summer program prospectors. Which is just a fancy way of saying we watch the kids that parents drop off for the summer readers program and make sure that they don’t kill each other.

We have to dress peppy and like we are going to Hawaii or something. Khaki shorts, “fun” shirts, a name tag, and some comfortable shoes. We can wear a hat if we want, but it has to be appropriate. Also, they said if we do good over the summer they might switch us to permanent workers for the after-school program during the school year.

The pay $10 an hour! Granted the hours aren’t that good. About five hours every weekday, always off Sunday, and Saturdays Casta and will rotate for a three-hour shift.

Our first day was super easy, the kids watched movies and played with the computers, that was it. The second day was more tricky it was arts and crafts day, so we had to help them make bookmarks and page holders. Day three we read them stories, and then they got to pick their own stories. Day four more movies. Day five, they got to take turns reading to us.

The kids range from ages 5 to 10. So, they were easy to manage. Also, most of them actually like to read, once they found the right story for them, they were hooked. By week two hardly anyone played on the computer and we had most of them reading. Which was a good sign that we were doing our jobs right.

Working at the library was a piece of cake. It was easy so long as you remember names and faces and who was allergic to what. As well as what kids got along and which ones didn’t. The kids are great, they love us. They think Casta is cool because she has a lip ring and because she can draw which they found out when she helped them with arts and crafts. Everyone wanted Casta to help them on arts and crafts day. Sadly I suck at art and no one wanted me on crafts day.

They think I am the mom. Which they call me. Den mom is my title. This is because I always make sure they are on task and I am the one that reads to them. Also when someone starts picking on someone else I always intervein. Thus, Den Mom.

Frank is the actual adult in charge of this program. He is the one in charge of getting snacks and picking out activities to do. He is in his 40’s. He gets along well with the kids, but mostly he leaves it to us. Checking in every once in a while to make sure things are going smooth. This is because he must also organize the other programs for the older kids.

I think we got hired because the librarian felt bad for us. When we came in were still bruised and swollen, I still had stitches in my lip. I guess they thought we were in a gang or something and wanted to help us turn our lives around. No other job ever called us back, I guess when we applied, we didn’t look like good news. We looked like trouble makers.

I was working today's Saturday rotation when Blythe came in. You see Saturdays are not as packed as weekdays, Saturday usually only have four to six kids whose parents work the weekends as well. Saturdays are secret fun days that only Saturdays kids know about.

We build forts and act out stories together. Casta is better at it than me, but hey I try. Today’s story was the three little pigs. They build forts and I was the wolf.

“Little pigs, little pigs let me in,” I demanded the house made of strategically placed poster board.

“Not by the hair our my chinny chin, chin!” the kids laughed.

“Alright, then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down.” I knocked over their fort. They laughed and ran to build a new one.

“Use cushions, take five.” I got up off my hands and knees.

They laughed and got to work on their new fort.

I heard clapping from the doorway. It was Blythe.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” I walked over to her.

“Came to see you, but someone didn’t tell me they had a job. Casta told me you’d be here. Big bad wolf.” She smirked.

“Yeah, trying to save up to get a car. Where is Casta?” I asked.

“Here, I think she went to talk to your boss about paychecks. She walked me here.”

“I see, well I’m just working. I still got about an hour before I get off. If you want to hang around.”

“Hey,” Casta said walking over us.

“Casta!” the kids ran to her.

“Hey, it’s my day traitors.” I pouted as they all clung to her legs.

She laughed.

“Casta’s cooler than you mom,” Shelly said.

“Yeah!” the others agreed.

“Okay, Okay, go build your forts so I can blow it down.” I shooed them back into the room.

“Mom?” Blythe asked.

“I’m the mom, Casta’s the cool one.” I pouted.

“I can’t help my natural charm,” Casta said in a posh accent.

“It’s only because you have a lip ring and you know it.” I stuck my tongue out.

Casta giggled and grabbed it between her teeth before kissing me right in front of Blythe. I kissed her back.

“Excuse you, am I missing something here?” Blythe pulled us apart.

“Oh uh, yes. Blythe, Casta and I are in an open relationship.”

“You didn’t tell her?” Casta asked.

“Well, I never got around to it.”

“Open, relationship.” Blyth grit her teeth.

“Mom! We’re ready!” the kids called.

“I got to go, hang around, I’ll be off as soon as I finish this story.” Then I turned and quickly walked away from Blythe and her wrath.

Once I got off the three of us walked back to my house. Blythe was in a pissy mood the whole time. Casta and I kept sharing awkward glances.

We are mostly healed up now. My bruises are gone, and my lip has a small scar, but it is back to normal. My cheek still hurts but not as badly.

“I thought you said you weren’t ready for a relationship.” Blythe whirled on me as soon as we walked into the house.

“An exclusive relationship. An open relationship is different.” I clarified.

“So what? You can just sleep around with whoever you want?”

“No, it means that I can also see someone else if I wanted.”

“So sleep around with whoever you want.” She rolled her eyes.

“Blythe please don’t make this difficult. Casta’s okay with it.”

“Mostly.” Casta shrugged.

“Like what the fuck Zara!? How could you think I would be okay with this?”

“It isn’t about you, it’s about me and what I need right now.” I stood my ground.

She looked at me, really looked at me, as if seeing me for the first time all over again. Then she took a deep breath and made a cute pouty face.

“Well, I don’t like sharing.” She pouted.

I smiled at her. She blushed.

“Please just give it a chance,” I said.

“So does that mean I could see someone else and you would be okay with it?” she asked.

“Of course, same with Casta.” I nodded.

She looked at Casta. They shared a silent understanding that I didn’t get.

“Really? I find that hard to believe, I know how jealous you can get.” She walked over to me.

“Well, I’ve changed.” I lied.

“Really?”

“Yep.”

She sauntered over to Casta and they shared a look before she pulled her in and kissed her right in front of me. I was immediately hit with conflicting emotions, between betrayal and Jealousy. To being turned on and happy. Casta deepened the kiss.

“Okay, you proved your point.” I snapped pulling them apart.

Blythe laughed at my red face.

“How was the taste of your own medicine?” Casta asked.

“Stop it.” I pouted.

“Zar, fair, is fair,” Blythe said.

“Whatever.” I marched into the kitchen to get away from them.

“Aw, babe don’t be like that. I was just teasing.” Blythe followed me.

“You are so red.” Casta laughed.

“You two are the worst.” I got some water.

“Hmm, this does give me ideas. I’ve never tried an open relationship before. The possibilities.” Blythe wiggled her eyebrows.

“I’m down if you’re down,” Casta said offhandedly getting herself some water.

“Really, emm sounds tempting.” Blythe purred.

I got even redder.

“Zar?”

“W—what?”

“You down?” Casta smirked.

“You guys can’t be serious, can you?” I asked.

“I’m seriously curious.” Blythe shrugged.

“Me too.”

“Oh my god.” I ran my hands down my face.

“So?” Blythe leaned in closer.

I just shrugged, I am sure my red face did all the talking.

“So cute.” Blythe kissed my nose.

“Took the words out of my mouth.” Casta kissed my cheek.

I looked at them, really looked into their eyes to gauge their level of seriousness. They did the same to me. I swallowed loudly when I saw just how serious they were. This was going to happen.

“So we are doing it then?” Blythe asked.

“I don’t know if that little futon can handle but I’m down.” Casta laughed.

“Go easy on me will ya,” I muttered.

“I make no such promises.” Blythe purred.