When Geno returned home, he entered the kitchen for a glass of water. On the kitchen's island, he saw a note. The note had a list of groceries for Geno to buy that his son wrote for him. If Mikeal never made notes to remind Geno of necessities, Geno would never have done them.

He made himself a glass of water before pulling out his phone, only to see it dead.

Geno hasn't talked to anyone besides his son for three years. He cut everyone from his life, wailing in his depression instead of talking to someone. He didn't want to speak with anyone. Geno grew tired of hearing everyone tell him 'sorry for your loss' while planning fake get-togethers. Everything felt surreal and suffocating to him.

He couldn't even speak to his parents or his in-laws without bursting into anger, an anger that stupidly brews when he sees happy, loving couples.

His mind would always go it must be nice when he sees couples living happy lives. Where has his happiness gone? Why was he so unlucky? Why couldn't he have the same?

It hurts and continues as he questions why he couldn't grow old with his love like his parents and in-laws.

And another thought hits his mind about how selfish he is. Geno still has his son, but why couldn't he focus on that detail? He didn't lose everything but continued to act as he did.

Selfish, selfish, selfish!

Geno hated himself. He hated himself for what he had become, for making his child grow up too fast, and for not changing.

He knew his faults; he knew how terrible he was being, but why was it so hard to change?

Why can't he find his flame once more? Why did he give up when he still had something to hold onto?

Geno could ask himself these questions all day, but the situation will always remain the same: he will continue this way until he completely breaks down.

Running his hand through his messy, slightly dirty hair, Geno sighed. He took a few deep breaths, shooing away his dark thoughts. After some seconds, Geno made some water, grabbed the note off the table, and walked to his room.

He put his phone on the charger, resting it on the night table near his bed. He set the note and water by it before lying on his bed.

Geno turned on his back, staring at the ceiling. He wanted to fall asleep but knew he would forget to buy the groceries if he did. He has done that a few times, which led to Mikeal becoming disappointed, but not once yelling at him.

And that was the thing; no matter how much Geno disappointed his son, Mikeal took everything in strides and never complained. He wanted Mikeal to yell at him and tell him how horrible a father he was being; maybe he would slightly wake from this haze.

But he knew Mikeal would never become harsh towards him when Geno deserved it.

I don't deserve my son.

Geno closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. He hated his mind; he hated himself. Why, why, why can't Geno save himself? Why does he allow himself to wallow in despair?

People have dealt with loss and have grieved; it is the center point of life, so why is he stuck here?

"Why can't you shut up?" Geno questioned his mind.

He hated his broken mind.

He hated himself.

Thirty minutes passed before Geno glanced away from the ceiling. He grabbed his phone and turned it on. Once it was on, Geno unlocked his phone and looked for the groceries app. Grabbing the note, he started putting what they needed in the cart.

The process was short, but once he finished everything and put the order in, the delivery would take more than an hour.

I guess sleep is another faraway dream. Geno thought.

When lunch break came around, Mikeal stayed in the classroom, listening to his classmates leave with excited chatter. Since Teacher Nicholas is their primary teacher, when lunch break hits, the teacher also has a break.

Mikeal usually found a secluded place to sit during these times but decided to stay in the classroom this time.

Instead of pulling out lunch, Mikeal pulled some papers out of his bag. He straightened the crumbled papers before pulling out a notebook next. Opening the notebook, he spread out the papers and started writing. Each paper held different bills.

Mikeal was sorting out the bills, a job that an adult does, not a child who is only ten years old.

He also paid them after sorting through them. Mikeal had his father's card on his phone (and on him) and only used it to pay bills or buy necessities from the store. He never abused the power of holding his father's card/money.

Nicholas also stayed in the classroom. He usually ate in his classroom, enjoying his quiet time. His students rarely ate with him since they would rather hang with their friends in the cafeteria. So, he was slightly surprised when Mikeal stayed behind. And his surprise only grew when Mikeal took out papers instead of food.

He watched for a few minutes before he walked over and peered at his desk. Are those bills? Nicholas thought, finding it hard to believe what he was seeing. Is a ten-year-old boy sorting out bills?

"Mikeal," Nicholas called but couldn't continue his words when Mikeal jumped, quickly grabbing his papers and notebook while holding them to his chest to cover them.

"Mr. Raven, sir, is something wrong?" Mikeal's heart was beating fast. He did not want to get caught with paying his father's bills. What if they think his father is neglecting him? What if they took him away from his dad? Mikeal dreaded those thoughts, almost paling from where his mind landed.

"I wanted to check on you. Do you want to go to the cafeteria to get food, or do you have your own?" Nicholas wanted to ask about what he saw, but the way Mikeal's face paled and his eyes shifted made Nicholas hold his thoughts.

"I, uh, I will go get food." Mikeal quickly answered, stuffing the papers and notebook back in his bag. He stood up fast, practically running out of his seat and from his teacher. He still felt fear in his heart from almost getting caught.

Before he could run out the door, Teacher Nicholas called after him, "You can eat in here from now on if you want."

"Thank you." Mikeal could only say, running off.

Nicholas watched his student run out, wondering how he could talk more with him because he felt his worries about Mikeal returning.

I hope everything is okay.

When the groceries finally came, Geno walked out to get them. The deliverer looked at Geno with slight disgust when he walked out. He ignored the face, already knowing how he looked and smelt. Geno became used to his filthy look.

But maybe he should wash himself; he didn't want to suffocate his son with his horrible smell again. However, Geno stopped noticing that his son hadn't made a face at his smell in a long while. Mikeal became accustomed to it.

When he brought the groceries in, Geno started putting them away. He used to let them rot, wasting money, but after seeing the pained expression on his son's face too many times, Geno learned to put them away.

See, he could do better.

So, why am I still like this?

After he finished everything, his stomach growled. Geno hasn't eaten anything since he came from dropping off his son at school. He remembered his son telling him to eat, but Geno did not feel like it, so he didn't.

Instead, he entered the bathroom to clean himself.

He turned the water to warm, pulling up the shower diverter valve. Geno begins stripping off his clothes, not once looking in the mirror. He hasn't glanced at himself in a long time. He did not fear how he looked because Geno could guess how bad it was but feared the deadness in his eyes that he would see.

He feared the man he no longer was.

When he stood naked in the bathroom, Geno entered the bath. Instead of standing to shower even though the shower head was on, Geno sat down while pulling his knees to his chest. He wrapped his arms around his legs with his head down, letting the water run down his hair and body.

Geno sat there for minutes, never reaching for any soap. His eyes began to droop as he thought about how sleepy he was. No matter how much he slept, he woke the next day ready to sleep more.

Maybe I should close my eyes for a bit. Geno thought.

The warm water felt good on his skin, and the way it ran sounded like white noise. So, Geno closed his eyes, thinking of taking a short nap in the running water.

If he thought clearly, he would have known that sleeping in the tub while the water ran was a terrible idea.

But he wasn't thinking at all.

Mikeal's phone read 6:45 as he sat on the first step outside his school's front door. He has been calling his father for two hours now. He grew frustrated and worried.

Even though his father forgot many things, picking him up from school was not one of them.

"Please, pick up," Mikeal told his phone as he called his father again. When he met with the voicemail once more, Mikeal wanted to throw away his phone.

He didn't know what to do. Should I take a bus home? Should I call a cab?

Before he could decide, Mikeal felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, seeing his teacher. "Is everything okay? Is your father coming?" Nicholas questioned.

Mikeal bit his lip, "Yes, my dad is busy, so I am going to take the bus home." He stood up, tightly gripping his phone.

"Are you sure? It is late out."

"It is okay, Mr. Raven. I can call the police if anything happens."

Nicholas stared at Mikeal, not feeling reassured at all. He felt unsafe with his young student on the bus during the evening. "I can drive you home." Nicholas offered.

"Uh," Mikeal sounded unsure.

"I mean nothing by it," Nicholas assured, "I just don't feel comfortable with you riding the bus this late."

Mikeal bit his lip, thinking. If he took the bus, it would take some time before he made it home. He could take a cab but wanted to save money. And with his father not answering his calls, Mikeal was worried that something happened.

He wished he could teleport and instantly be home to check on his father.

"Okay." Mikeal agreed.

Nicholas smiled, "Okay, follow me."

Mikeal followed his teacher, glancing at his phone with a tight hold. His fingers almost turned white from how hard he gripped it.

Please be okay, Dad; I cannot lose you.