Disclaimer: Still don't own That '70s Show or any of its characters. Just Heather. Though I would like some DVDs...that would be nice.
A few days later, Steven found himself sitting in the chair, staring at the empty space where the television set used to be. Edna was two days overdue and he and Heather needed money for food. As of now, he was down to a half gallon of milk about ready to sour, a box of Lucky Charms, some bread, peanut butter, ketchup, and crackers. He looked at his plate of crackers with ketchup; a much as he wanted that bowl of Lucky Charms, he had to save them for Heather. Though he might see if she would let him sneak a bite of her cereal later.
Before he completely thought it through, he grabbed the phone and piece of paper next to it. He needed to know when Edna was coming home so he could plan this out. "Edna? Hey it's me, your son, remember? Yeah…when are you coming home? We're almost out of – what?" Steven stood up, white-knuckling the receiver as Edna explained why his entire world was crashing down. He became so focused on the conversation, he didn't see Forman standing at the door, holding two sandwiches in one hand and his sister's hand in the other. "Edna, what about Heather and I? We're running out of – yeah, of course I want you to be happy. Sure, sure, I get it, man. Whatever, Edna. Bye." Hanging up, he clutched the phone in both hands and hurled it into the kitchen, hearing it hit the cabinets with a satisfying crash. The satisfaction didn't last however when he looked up at saw Forman standing on his porch in shock and his sister hiding behind his leg.
"F-Forman, hey, uh…you didn't have to pick up Heather. I was going to head over to Mrs. Jenkins in a bit," Steven quickly stammered, trying to recover and get back his Zen. How much of the conversation did Forman hear? How much of it did Heather hear?
Opening the door quick, he let his best friend and sister inside. Heather immediately flew into his arms and his mind went into overdrive over how he was going to explain this to her. How do you explain to a five-year-old that Mom wasn't coming home because she didn't give a damn anymore?
"Well, it was on my way and Heather was already in the front yard playing with Chris and Robbie. She wanted to walk back with me. Hyde…"
"Not now, Forman." Pulling back, he swallowed the lump in his throat as tucked Heather's flyaway hair from her messy braid behind her ear. "Heather, how about you go put your stuff up and you show me what you did at school and Mrs. Jenkins later?" Heather nodded and ran off into the bedroom as he threaded his fingers through his hair.
"Before you say anything, Forman, no I don't need help. I've got everything under control," Steven said softly, standing up.
"So that's why you're eating ketchup on crackers?"
"It makes for a tangier flavor!"
"Hyde, you're mom isn't coming back, is she?" Forman pressed, keeping his voice low.
"No, but I've got it handled. I'll just…I don't know, I'll just start selling stuff."
"What about Heather?"
"I'll explain to her about Edna tonight. But we don't need help. I took care of her before; it won't be any different now. That's what brothers do right? That's my job. It'll just be easier without Edna around failing to be a mom." Eric nodded, knowing that he wasn't going to change his best friend's mind.
"Yeah, I guess. Well, I brought you and Heather some sandwiches." Steven hesitated before snatching them out of his hand. "The peanut butter with strawberries and bananas is Heather's. I know it's her favorite." Steven smirked; Eric knew his sister just as well as he did.
"Thanks, but after this, no more. I won't take hand-outs."
"Got it."
Heather chose that moment to run out of the bedroom and jump on the couch. Steven smiled as little fingers gently pulled his glasses off his eyes and placed them over her face. His heart lifted when she leaned over and blew a raspberry into his cheek. Swallowing the bite of sandwich he was currently devouring, he leaned over and blew a raspberry into her cheek, chuckling at the squeal of laughter it elicited. Leaning forward, he grabbed Heather's sandwich and handed it to her.
"Eric brought this over for you," he said around another huge bite of sandwich. Heather peeked inside the sandwich and gasped.
"Stevie! Look! He made my favorite!" Steven widened his eyes in pretend shock.
"He made you a peanut butter and banana with strawberries?"
"Lots of strawberries!"
"Wow! What do you think you should do?" Heather nodded excitedly, pushing the large aviators back on her face. Jumping off the couch, she ran to Eric, who had knelt down, and hugged his neck tightly.
"Thank you, Eric!" she squealed softly, blowing a raspberry into his cheek.
"Oh wow, a Heather-kiss and everything! You're welcome, munchkin." Dropping into the armchair, Eric pulled Heather into his lap and helped her unwrap it.
"Don't get my glasses all sticky like last time." Heather shook her head and pushed his glasses back up her face.
"I won't."
As the time passed, Eric and Steven filled it with idle chatter about school and girls. After her sandwich, Heather interjected and told them both about her day at school while Eric cleaned off her fingers with the wet paper towel Steven had gotten. Somehow, the five year old managed to get half of the peanut butter on her fingers, but fortunately, none of it ended up on the glasses that were now perched on top of her head.
Eventually, Eric announced he should leave and set Heather on the ground. "Hey kiddo, go get your pajamas. It's almost bath time." Heather nodded and hugged Eric's neck again, this time, just placing a regular kiss on his cheek before running to the bedroom. Turning back around, Steven leaned against the doorframe.
"Thanks for the sandwiches," he said softly. Eric nodded.
"Anytime." Glancing back in the house as Heather yelled she was ready, Eric continued, dropping his voice. "Hyde, seriously, you sure-?"
"Eric, I can't. If Social Services get wind that Edna left, they'll pick us up and separate us. Heather's already lost her mom, her dad was a one-time fling…I've been the one raising her. If we lose each other…I can't let them take her. I've got two more years until I'm of age. I'll figure something out. Just…just don't tell." Eric slowly nodded, seeing the fear and sadness that were usually hidden behind the aviators. He knew that was the reason Steven wore them; his eyes gave away what he was feeling.
"I can't hide this from my parents, you know that. I'll keep it from everyone else, but they'll figure it out." Steven nodded; he knew he wouldn't be able to keep Edna's absence a secret around Mr. and Mrs. Forman either.
"I just need some time. Just a couple days." Eric agreed silently. The two stood there in silence for a couple minutes before both of them reached out and hugged each other.
"We'll figure this out, Steve," Eric murmured, using the nickname he used when they were kids before Steven insisted on being called "Hyde". Swallowing hard, Steven nodded and pulled back when a small hand tugged on his jeans. Looking down, Heather pressed her hand against her brother's thigh, the AC/DC shirt she'd been using as a nightgown nearly sweeping over her feet. His glasses were missing from her head, but he knew she probably put them on the nightstand. Picking her up, he settled her on his hip and buried his nose in her hair.
"I'll come over tomorrow and help out," Eric offered, knowing despite what his friend said earlier, he'd accept it. Leaning forward, he kissed the little girl on the cheek.
"Thanks, Forman," Steven whispered.
"We're practically brothers. We've got each other's backs, right? That's our job," the skinny teen stated, echoing the rebel's words from earlier. Steven snorted and nodded, appreciation lighting up his blue eyes. "I'll come over tomorrow morning."
Turning around, he jogged down the steps and glanced back when he heard the door close behind him, blocking out the sounds of Heather and Steven chatting. The smile slipped off his face as he continued walking home, his head whirling. What was he going to do? He knew he'd help Steven and Heather out anyway he could, but he also knew they couldn't continue living like they were. Rent was coming up, as well as other bills. Winter was coming too; early too from the feel of it. He also knew what Steven's "plans" consisted of; Leo had offered him a job at the FotoHut working part-time. Full-time however, would pay the bills and keep Social Services off their backs until Steven turned 18. But that would mean, Hyde quitting school and getting a GED.
He shook his head to try and clear his thoughts; he was already getting a headache. When he got home, he'd think it over with a joint. He'd think better with a clearer head.