Every day is the same…
Courtney went to work after roughly an hour of scrambling through paperwork while munching on her toast and sipping her tea. But the tea cup was empty the whole time. Dad ate with her and they both went off to work at the same time.
Then my brother would toss some food onto the table for himself and I as soon as he would awake. My brother finished first. I never finished my food.
Later, my brother went off to school, and I’d stay in bed, sick and throwing up. Before leaving, my brother would ruffle my hair and smile. “Don’t worry, Nathan. We can go to Freddy’s later if you’re feeling better.”
But I never feel better.
And so I would sleep.
Courtney would get back hours later and wake me up. At 4PM, my brother would be home again. They’d both sit at the end of my bed and I’d do homework and unpack a few boxes with my brother.
Courtney had my pain medication ready for 6PM. It was hurting by this point and I’d take it with some water and then my brother and I would play Super Mario Kart. Sometimes I’d have to stop and curl up from pain. 8PM, dad would get home. He told me there was a present for me. He reached into his bag and pulled out a yellow plush chicken.
“Her name is Chica. She’s got her cupcake friend with her as well. Take good care of her.” He patted my knee and walked out of the room.
I would sleep again, hugging my plush toys around me. But then I would wake up at 12AM to my dad’s voice.
“H-Hello? Hello? Hey, you’re doing great! Most people don’t last this long!”
Just work again… just dad and his work…