The Breakfast Club for 40-Somethings

Chapter 15 ‘The Breakfast Club’ on paper

When Karen and Russ got home, they were relieved to see the house and the kids in one piece. Sure, there were dishes in the sink, the dishwasher hadn’t been loaded and the table had crumbs all over it, but that was a small price to pay for the night off they’d had.

Karen’s mind was ticking over. She’d been serious when she’d told Russ she was determined to contribute financially to their lives. She had to come up with an idea to make money.

Russ, on the other hand, was still thinking back about the events of the night. How life was not easier even when you had billions like Brad, and how Jasper had admitted so much about his own situation that not even Russ knew about. Things were not as they’d appeared yesterday.

They both were exhausted and needed some sleep. In a snap decision, Karen told the kids they didn’t have to do their sports today. The announcement produced a mixed reaction, and Taz ran straight to the PlayStation. Karen was too tired to tell him to get off, and left the kids to their own devices as she and Russ went for a few hours’ sleep.

As they both drifted off to sleep in their usual spoon position, Karen felt the familiar arm of Russ around her waist and smiled softly as her world faded to black.

***

On the other side of the city, Ben was busy juggling sports commitments with his wife. He’d drawn the short straw and was taking his son to cricket — which, at six hours, was a big commitment of time when he was so tired. ...