JONATHAN

    You really know your life is f*cked up when you are a incurious pole dancer who had a one night stand with the tough quarterback of the school and while all this is happening, your mother is dying in an old musty apartment with her autistic daughter.

I growled as I rolled out of bed. It was a Saturday, but that didn't mean I got a break. I still had to care for Lucy, who shouldn't be isolated for too long. I pulled a pair of sweatpants over my boxers and rubbed at my eyes. I was really in need of more sleep.

Stumbling down the hallway of our small, cramped apartment, my hands trailed the walls, the wallpaper curling up at the edges. This place seriously needed some new renovations, but with having to feed, clothe, and pay all sorts of bills, including medical bills for Mom and Lucy, we didn't exactly have enough spare change to touch up the inside of our apartment. Heck, we didn't even have spare change.

I entered the kitchen, surprised to see Lucy sitting at the small table shoved into the corner of the room. She was still in her PJs and her feet were swinging beneath her. Her thumb was stuck in her mouth which she seemed to be sucking on.

She stared at the fridge, the once-white object now tinged yellow. Probably why she was so entranced by it. When she noticed me, her other hand flew out, pointing at the fridge.

"Yellow fridge." She said, looking me dead in the eyes.

"The fridge is yellow. Do you like the fridge?" I asked. She furrowed her eyebrows at me.

"Yellow fridge." She repeated, waving her hand at it. Then I understood. Sometimes it was difficult to understand her, as it was with most autistic children. But I was pretty tuned in to what she meant.

"Oh! You're hungry, right? Want bubby to get you something to eat?" I asked her.

"Yellow fridge!" The edge of Lucy's lips curled up, the only sign that she agreed, she was hungry.

I crossed the room in a few steps, the room being tight and way too cluttered. I opened the fridge and a deep frown etched across my face.

All that remained was an almost empty cart of eggs, a half-empty jug of milk, a couple of tortillas, and some old onions. A bottle of ketchup sat in the bottom too. I grabbed all of these things, an idea of what to make popping up in my head.

I set them on the counter and grabbed a pan. I chopped up the old onions that seemed to still be ripe, surprisingly. At least they didn't smell bad. I lit the stove and cracked open the remaining eggs, tossing the shells in the trash.

     Frying them, I felt satisfied as they sizzled on the pan. I dropped the sliced onions in with them, mixing them up. It felt like a calm morning almost. Like the eye of a storm. I let out a deep breath. My eyelids felt heavy, but I forced them to stay open.

Finishing up the eggs, I turned off the stove. I opened up the three tortillas and spooned our a considerable amount on each one. Then I grabbed the ketchup and squinted it onto them. The red globs stuck to the eggs and I rolled the tortillas over. Egg wrap!

     Actually proud of myself, I grinned. I slid a plat in front Lucy who stared at it for a second before slowly beginning to eat it. She chewed and swallowed at the pace of a snail, but that was alright. We weren't in a hurry that morning.

    "I'm going to be right back, bumblebee. I'm going to give Mom hers, okay?" She didn't respond so I took that as a yes, that she understood.

     I slipped out of the kitchen and made my way to the living room, which was really our Mom's bedroom. The room was dimly lit and I was quiet as I stepped in.

    I crouched beside her bed and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. She grumbled and rolled over, her face turned to me. Her hair, which used to be luscious and a dark brown like mine, but was now short and thinning, a grayish color, covered her eyes and nose while she pulled up her sheets to cover the rest of her face.

     "Hey Mom," I whispered, not wishing to startle her.

     Slowly, she cracked open an eye. A small, tired smile lit up her face and she pushed her hair out of her face. She sat up, leaning against the bed frame.

     "Hi sweetie-" she paused, coughing into her fist, "Do you need something?"

    I almost laughed. Me needing something from her? We both knew very well I was the only one supporting this family, even though she tried so hard. Ever since she was diagnosed with cancer, she hadn't been the same. Still, I kept quiet. I knew that would be hurtful, so I instead offered her a smile.

     "No, I just wanted to give you your breakfast. I'm going to have to go to the grocery store today, are you okay with watching Lucy for an hour or so?" I asked.

    She nodded, now grinning. She loved being responsible of us, since I was usually the one watching over all three of us.

     I passed her her egg wrap, and I could tell she didn't find it too appetizing, but she still ate it without complaint. She knew just as well as I did that we had to take what we were given, even if sometimes we wanted more. Beggars can't be choosers.

   "Alright. I'm going to get Lucy. Do you want to read her a book or two? You know she loves that." I stood up, leaning against the door frame.

     "Oh yeah! Definitely-" she fell into another coughing fit, "Yup. Thank you for breakfast. You know I love you."

    Pride shined in her eyes as I left the room to go get Lucy. She was in the kitchen, her empty plate sitting in front of her. I took her hand and led her to the living room. She went and sat down beside Mom, staring at the wall.

    "See you guys in a bit!" I called, heading out the door with a wad of cash in my pocket. I didn't have much- only around $120, not nearly enough to pay for groceries for the rest of the month, but it would have to do.

    We would just have to handle it. Just like we handle everything.

$$Hello! I'm sorry for not updating last week, I was really busy, and I know this isn't much, but I wanted you guys to get a little more of a peek on what's happening at Jon's household. Hope you liked, and if you did, please vote and comment! It always makes my day!$$