Jacob woke up feeling refreshed. It was a beautiful day; just perfect for Dinah's birthday party today. Today was her 18th birthday and he was going to buy her those diamond earrings that she had been begging for. He had promised her that if she passed her PSATs with high scores and got into Loyola he would buy them as a graduation present for her 18th birthday. Today was the day. He was all smiles when he got up; it was early and everyone was still asleep. He could go out to the 24-hour super store in his area while they were still sleeping and do a little grocery shopping to pick up the foods for the party tonight.
Jacob hastily went through his two drawers looking for something to wear. He had nothing but pajamas, underwear, tee-shirts, jogging suits and robes. This struck him as a little weird making him wonder why he couldn't find any of his nicer clothes recently. Had Louise put all of his suits, shirts and ties in the cleaners? He would have to remember to ask her when she woke up.
Once dressed in his jogging suit, Jacob quietly walked out of his room to the hallway. The new building that they were living in always had someone at the security desk. He thought that was a good thing, but sometimes they made it very difficult for the residents to leave when they wanted to. Today he couldn't be bothered with all of their interference. He had to go shopping and was determined not to be stopped.
It was almost seven o'clock in the morning; change of shift. Jacob knew that the night security clerk would be leaving his post soon and it would be a few minutes before the new clerk took over. He would have an opportunity to escape then. He watched until the security clerk got up leaving his post. He waited for a few seconds making sure that he wouldn't suddenly reappear; Jacob could not afford to get caught. When he felt like it was safe to do so, he cautiously but quickly made his way down the hallway and past the checkpoint to the double-wide doors that had the 'exit' sign posted just above it. He smiled to himself, he was finally free. Now he could shop for his daughter and surprise her when she woke up.
* * * * * * *
Mia couldn't sleep. She had been restless ever since she and Jayden had had that quasi discussion slash fight last week and he had gotten into his car driving off to what she figured amounted to pussy-land. She couldn't help but rolling her eyes. That man was slowly driving her insane. Why should she care how he lived or what he was doing? He wasn't her man and he didn't even see her as a woman but more like a tool. She got up putting on her robe. A quick shower and an early morning jog always helped her clear her head up.