Beatrice Gentry checked her bags to make sure she got everything. Clothes, books, a few glasses of wine just to be safe; everything she needed for her little book meeting later this week. If only her kids would behave this time around. They were rather new in the neighborhood and she wanted to make good friends with the neighbors but it was rather hard when your kids always found ways of getting into trouble. Even if it wasn't entirely their fault.
At least their babysitter was a good influence on them. Mari was a member of the volleyball club so she could easily keep them in line or run them down if they ran to hide. Well Shane ran and kicked when he got caught, Gabriella would usually just duck under something or lock herself in a closet. Those two were just too much after their father had left. But she loved them both and wanted help them settle in.
If she could win over the mothers, maybe she could get them to act as a bridge between the children. They needed friends more than ever these days. She just needed something to keep them busy for a bit... or a little bribe for acting well.
That's when she saw the candy store. That should do, they did love their sweets.
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"What's this box Mom?" Gabriella asked as she reached up for it.
Her mother put a hand on the younger girl's hand and pushed it away.
"Now now, that's a surprise. I have a deal with you and your brother."
"A deal?" Shane asked as he looked up from his mobile game.
"You know I have my book meeting tomorrow, YES yes I know..." she got ahead of their groaning, "I know you don't like it and hate having to be quiet around the house for a few hours. But that's what this is for." she cracked open the box and showed off the chocolates to them.
They were wrapped in a number of different colors and foils. They were so enticing that the kids reached out on instinct but the mother closed the box shut before their fingers got anywhere close. She gave them both a 'tut tut' as she waggled her own finger.
"No no. I'm putting this up.... here." she announced as she put the box on top of the fridge before turning back to her kids, "If you promise to be on your best behavior for Mari while I'm with my book club, I promise you the whole box to yourselves."
"REALLY?" The pair asked in raised voices. She ran a hand through their dusty blonde hair.
"Of course, to prove it, here." she reached into her purse and produced two personal candy bars, and gave one to each.
Which were quickly devoured with glee and wide eyed looks. It was even better than Halloween candy! The pair laughed as they got a little messy with their snacks while the mother started to put the rest of her things away. Lucky for the family at this point, those were normal candy bars rather than the oddity that rested on top of the fridge.
"If you think those bars are good, you can picture how good the candy in the box is. So, do you promise to be good?" she asked looking over her shoulder.
"We promise!" the two said as they put a hand over their heart as if to swear it.
She nodded and started to get dinner ready. While she was deciding what to make, she didn't notice the pair shared a grin as they both knew the other had a hand behind their backs and fingers crossed.