Waking up in the mornings were always the hardest, but Marissa's cunning ideas did indeed lure him out. She sat in the kitchen with Bryce, both munching on bacon. Samuel's stomach rumbled as the smell hit him, almost knocking him out. With a frown, he tried to recall the last time he actually ate. Lunch maybe?
"Dude" Bryce laughed, gesturing to the spare seat, "Eat"
I slouched nest to Marissa and took a long gulp of the flaming hot coffee, alternating between the refreshing goodness and the sweet smelling pig. Marissa smiled at me, then continued on her conversation with Bryce.
I paused and stared at her for a moment, noticing how pale she had become. He hair was shoved into a bun and, dark circles colored under her eyes. I shot a quick glance into the coffee pot and sighed, I didn't look a hell of a lot better.
Bryce however looked refreshed and energized, compared to how horrible he had seemed in the past few months. He chatted easily with Marissa, who nodded and smiled. Affection rushed through me as I looked at her, she was so perfect. Suddenly, the pitter-patter of tiny feet, reached our ears. Maddie rushed out of our room, grinned at everyone with the usual cheeriness of a two year old.
"Daddy" She grinned, as Samuel scooted his chair backwards. In one swift motion, he had picked Maddie up off the floor and sat her in his lap.
"Hey beautiful" He cooed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I thought I was beautiful?" Marissa questioned accusingly, kissing her daughters cheek.
"You are" Samuel smiled and when she moved her head away from Maddie, he surprised her with a quick peck on the lips. Marissa grinned when she pulled away and snatched Maddie from Samuel's lap, placing the little girl on her own.
"School" Marissa motioned towards the door with her head, "Go"
Both Bryce and Samuel stood, taking their plates over to the sink.
"Mummy" Maddie began, "Does Daddy really need to go to school?"
Samuel poked his head around the kitchen, "You know how it is beautiful, what Mummy says goes"
Marissa shot him a look, before he walked over with a grin.
"I wanna make you and Mummy proud don't I?" He asked, kissing her forehead once more.
"And Mummy wants to hog you today" Marissa grinned, as Maddie slowly smiled.
"C'mon Man" Bryce clapped him on the shoulder, handing him his backpack. Samuel slipped it onto his shoulder and kissed both girls once more, before heading over to the door.
"Bye Uncle Bryce!" Maddie grinned, wrapping her tiny arms around her 'uncles' neck.
"Bye sweetie" He grinned, rubbing her hair affectionately.
"See you tonight" Marissa smiled, "Not too late, I hope"
Samuel held in the grimace and left with Bryce, braving the cold streets of Lima. They walked side by side, enjoying the quiet morning. Both were wrapped in their own thoughts, not really having a lot to say. When they reached school, they parted ways and agreed silently to meet up at lunch.
Samuel walked into his History class and sat down at his assigned seat, slowly retrieving the homework he had finished. Mid way through re-reading it though, he fell asleep. Even the sound of other students joined the class, could not wake the poor boy or the loud clang of the bell.
Alex watched as Samuel snoozed away, his back rising and falling with even breaths. Alex nudged Lindsay, who looked over at the boy and smiled sympathetically.
"He's been so tired lately" Lindsay bit her lip, "I wish there was something we can do"
"I know" Alex sighed, "But neither he nor Marissa really want any help with Maddie"
Lindsay paused, a light flashing in her eyes, "I have an idea"
Alex mock shivered, "Your idea's frighten me sometimes"
"Alex!" The teacher barked, "Lindsay!"
They both fell silent for a moment, until Lindsay sneaked a look back at Samuel. He was staring at the board and rubbing his eyes slowly, letting out a small yawn.
"He's just making it through you know" Lindsay sighed, as Alex pretended to copy down the illegitimate notes.
"What do you mean?" Alex whispered, casting a quick look at the puzzled Samuel.
"Like I don't see him eat and he rushes off after school to either work or pick something up for Marissa or deal with a Maddie emergency," Lindsay cringed, "it's like he's just surviving"
Alex placed his pencil down gently, "I know but he kind of made that choice, two years ago Lindsay"
"I just feel sorry for him and Marissa, they're too young to be dealing with all this," Lindsay paused, "Stress"
"Nothing much we can do Miss Pearce" Alex sighed, picking his pencil up. He squinted up at the board, trying to decipher the handwriting. It was giving him a headache, not just the writing but also Lindsay's constant worrying. Samuel knew what he was doing, when he basically signed up for Dad duties.
"Yes there is" Lindsay insisted, "I have an idea, sort of"
Alex rolled his eyes, "And what does this idea involve?"
"Babysitting" Lindsay, grinned.
The group's reaction mirrored what Alex's had been, one of pure disbelief. Some laughed, thinking that she was trying to be funny. Ellis regarded her seriously, which was odd being looked at so intensely by a girl who appeared twelve.
"I'm in" Ellis smiled, "I feel sorry for them, it must be hard"
"They chose it!" Alex exclaimed, how could everyone have forgot that. Samuel and Bryce entered the cafeteria, Bryce slipping Samuel an energy drink. They sat down with the rest of the Glee Club members, nodding in acknowledgement. Samuel was still oozing drowsiness and the thought of having to work for another two hours tonight, shook him to the bone and drained the last of his energy.
"You look tired man," Cameron commented from across the table, offering a chocolate bar. Samuel took it thankfully; glad that he could get an extra kick. He took a long gulp from the can, whipping his mouth with the edge of his sleeve.
"I am" Samuel sighed.
"We have an idea" Hannah paused, "Don't think of it as charity, because we know you don't want help. How about you let Maddie spend some time with her uncles or aunties during the week? We haven't seen the angel in such a long time"
Everyone nodded enthusiastically but his or her enthusiasm lowered at his firm gaze. He took another long gulp, letting the energizing liquid mull over in his mouth, much like their suggestion. He sighed, letting his gaze drop and swallowing the liquid.
It sent a warm vibe though his system and he realized it wasn't just from the liquid, but from their offer. He watched their expressions, as they dropped their gaze.
They cared, he sighed.
"Truth is guys" He groaned, "I would love to take you up on your offer but I feel bad enough for having Bryce stay with us. You guys, don't have too and more importantly, it will be impossible to convince Marissa"
"Oh" Lindsay laughed, "Let me try"
He packed the woman's groceries into the clear plastic bag, handed them to her with a tight smile.
"Thank you" She paused, "Samuel"
She rushed off without bothering about her receipt and Samuel couldn't help but let the jealousy wash over him. She had wealth and functional family, not scrounging around for all she could.
She could provide.
"Samuel" His co-worked Adam smiled from the other register, "Go home"
"Ten more minutes" Samuel yawned, trying to resist the subconscious urge to scratch his head. He went to scratch the itchy skin around his nose, but felt his fingertip graze the bandage.
"Conformity" Samuel growled, just as another customer dropped her large groceries off.
She smiled pleasantly as Samuel gradually scanned them. He read out the amount she owed, cringing at the mammoth cost.
She handed over the money without a second thought, still smiling at him. Samuel handed her back her change, his mouth dry with the money he had clutched in his hand for a brief moment. He passed them to her and packed her groceries quickly, before handing them as well to her.
That night was colder than it had been before, taking his usual quick route home and trying desperately to avoid the hordes of teenagers that littered the streets. He took his usual routine of pulling out his hair tie and bandages. He threw them on the street, with much more force than usual as well.
He jumped up the steps and into the apartment, shoving the door open harshly. Marissa was cuddled up on the couch, hugging one of Maddie's toys. His heart softened at the image but panic set in, he looked around for Maddie. Lindsay came out of the bedroom, pushing her hair into a ponytail.
"Hey" She greeted Samuel, who blinked at her in confusion.
"What are you doing in my house?" Samuel asked rudely.
"I came to visit Marissa, she was pretty spent and fell asleep on the couch" Lindsay sighed, putting all the dirty dishes into the sink. She stuffed her hands into the hot liquid, scrubbing at the weak old grime.
"Where's Maddie?" Samuel demanded, but less harsh this time.
"I read her a story" Lindsay explained, "And she fell asleep too"
"What are you doing?" Samuel inquired, curious now but not accusing.
"Helping" Lindsay, answered simply, "Go do that mountain of homework Sam"
Samuel for once, finished his homework. He glanced up at the clock; surprised it was only ten o'clock. Lindsay pushed a plate of spaghetti in front of him, sitting down. He dug into it, while stacking the books he needed for tomorrow in his backpack.
"Bryce said he's be late" Lindsay informed him, "Something about needing to work"
"Ah" Samuel smiled, letting the delicious food drip off his chin, "This is amazing"
When he finished, Lindsay took the bowl and quickly washed it. She smiled as Samuel stood, he was obviously wondering what in the world he could do.
"You've done everything Lindsay" Samuel chuckled, not being able to express just how thankful he was. Lindsay shrugged and slipped on her jacket, tightening it around her.
"There's some leftovers in the fridge, I always make too much" She grinned, picking up her backpack. She smiled at him and even though it had always been awkward between the two, it just wasn't.
"Thank you" Samuel smiled, "I would offer to drive you home but no car"
"That's fine" She shrugged, looking over at Marissa.
"We'll all be helping out as much as we can" Lindsay informed him, "You guys don't deserve this"
"Lindsay-" Samuel protested.
"Just say thank you Sam" She chuckled.
"Thank you Sam" He mimicked.
