Something was wrong. I don't know what exactly, but I know something was wrong. He couldn't have outgrown everything! He was dying for that game, jumped and whooped and everything when I gave it to him. Gohan cleared another table, his mind more on the strangeness of his last visit than what he was doing. Which was normal, this job could have been done by an automaton.
He wiped the table clean, took the dishes back to be washed. Watched the girl start them, while he leaned up against the large fridge and scrubbed furiously at his eyes. I hope Videl's holding up okay. She's got her hands full keeping Pan out of mischief. Where did that come from anyway? Goten and I were nothing like that as children! But Mom can't keep up with another demi-brat, she's too old, no matter what she says. And besides… I know how she's been to Goten. I don't want to risk that with Pan. Even if Mom does seem to care about us… I can't help but think she'll turn on us too, one of these days.
The dishwasher flicked cold water in his face. "Huh?"
"Table seven, Gohan. Go clear table seven."
"I fell asleep again?"
"Yep. Go on, before the boss gets mad."
He went, knowing his little family needed every cent he earned and then some. He couldn't afford to be fired, even from a job that paid as badly as this did. Gina, the dishwasher, knew that, and helped keep him awake until it was time to go home. It wasn't the first time she'd woken him to send him out to get his job done. He cleared the table, pocketing the tip. Stumbled back to Gina and gave her a fresh batch of dishes to wash, then dumped the tip in the appropriate waitress's cup.
By the end of the shift, he was past exhausted. He pulled his calendar out and copied down the days he was to work over the next month, and made sure that none of them conflicted with the classes he was taking. Gohan didn't even realize it was payday until his boss handed him his check on the way out the door, and even then he had a hard time figuring out what it was he held. After a moment, it sunk in. He detoured past the bank, signing the check and depositing it in the ATM.
He went home, barely managing to stay above the treetops. This time, Videl was awake, waiting for him, and a hot meal waited on the table. "Hi."
"Oh, Gohan!" Videl approached and hugged him, then stepped back, worry plainly visible in her eyes. "Are you too tired to try and eat?"
It wouldn't be the first time he'd missed a meal in favor of sleep. Gohan considered the two options, then pulled the calendar from his pocket. "I have class in the morning."
"Is your homework done?" She was guiding him to the table, fixing him a plate.
He managed to propel some of the food in the general direction of his mouth while he tried to remember her question, and then figured out the answer. "Yes. All my homework is done."
"Gohan, honey… do you have to work so much? Can't you drop something?"
"Nuhnn…" He swallowed. "Still trying to pay off the debt of Panny's last adventure. And keep us in groceries. I don't know how Mom ever managed!"
"How about if I got a job? I could, you know."
"I know." Gohan blinked at his empty plate, absently wondering what he'd eaten. Videl refilled it. "You have the skills, and all, but who would watch Panny?"
"Couldn't your mother?"
Mom. Gohan pushed the plate away. "No, Videl. She couldn't." Slowly, choosing his words with care, he explained about his mother and her irrationality toward his father and brother. "I don't know why it doesn't extend to me, or Panny. And I don't dare risk that she might turn on us someday, too. I… I don't trust her anymore."
Videl pressed her hand to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock. "Oh, Gohan! I knew there was a lot of screaming and yelling, and that they hadn't been flying as much, but I had no idea…" She shook her head. "Well, that settles that. I'll stay home with Pan. But I'm still worried about you!"
The plate was pushed back under his nose, he began eating again. "I know, hun. But right now, there's no help for it. I have to work. I hate leaving you to deal with Pan, she's so strong I worry she'll hurt you without meaning to. I wouldn't mind having Dad watch her, but he's… well…"
"He's Goku," Videl said, laughing a little. "I understand. And my dad…"
They both began laughing. He yawned, which is difficult to do when laughing, then sighed. "I better go to bed. You… need anything?"
"Oh, Gohan, you're too tired."
"Not for that!" He yawned again. Grinned weakly. "Okay, so maybe I am." He pushed off the table, aiming for the stairs, and dragged himself to bed. I am so tired of always be so very… tired.
It hit him then. Mom. She took his things.