I was woken up from my mini-coma bright and early in the morning. Sam’s mom Mimi stood over me, gently shaking my shoulder and calling my name. When I opened my eyes, she smiled down at me.

“Good morning, sleepy.” She whispered, delightfully. Often, I do crash on her couch, mostly because my own family couldn’t care less about what I did, but also partly because I loved waking up to see Mimi when she gets home from work. She was a tiny asian woman in Winnie the Pooh scrubs. Her hair was cropped to her chin, framing her face perfectly. Everytime she smiled, I just wanted to hug her. It often made me wonder how she birthed such a shitty son. Speak of the devil, the said son emerged from the hallway wearing yesterday’s shirt and some shark pajama pants.

“Aw, you guys look beat, breakfast?” Sam lolled his head around in approval.

I helped Mimi beat and fry some eggs while Sam took his first nap of the day on the couch. She handed me a cup of coffee and we sat down at the folding table.

“So, to what do I owe this visit, Alex?” she said wiggling her shoulders happily. I hummed for a second.

“Just been doing a lot of thinking. I do my best thinking at your table.” Mimi gave a bittersweet smile.

“I’m going to miss you kids when you’re off at college.”

“You can still still call us anytime you like, you know.”

She chuckled “Yeah, but I like seeing your faces, too.”

“Liar.” groaned Sam from the living room

I added the mental picture to the library. Light moments like this with Mimi and Sam make me forget how much I hated my life before. For at least a little while, I feel welcomed, like people enjoy having me around.

Without me noticing, walked up behind me and stole my coffee. He took the last chair at the table, slurping obnoxiously. Mimi frowned, squinting at Sam. Suddenly, she grabbed his face and turned his cheek towards her.

“Is that… Blood?” Sam licked his thumb and wiped off the dried blood.

“Just a scratch.” he said, turning his attention back to my stolen coffee. I nodded.

“We went hiking last night. You’re idiot son walked directly into a tree branch then tried to fight it.” Mimi giggled to herself over the mental image. I hated lying to her, but sometimes, it was just for the better. She interrupted herself with a huge yawn, Sam clucked his tongue.

“Eomma, do you have any idea what time it is? It’s way past your bedtime.” She yawned again.

“Yeah, sorry kids, I think I’m going to hit the hay, can you handle dishes?” Sam snatched up her half drank coffee and drank it all in one gulp.

“I think we can handle it.” He helped her out of her chair, “Get some rest, Eomma.”

After Mimi closed the door to her room, Sam turned to me in a hushed voice.

“You think she saw the fire?”

I shook my head. “I think it’s a miracle she can even drive herself home.”