InvaSUn

13

[James]

He tried sleeping, but he couldn't. Not with Riley pressed up against his back. Aiden was on his other side sleeping peacefully. Who's dumb idea was it to push him in the middle of the bed? It was king-sized and had enough space for all 3 of them, but Riley was a wild sleeper.

She kept on draping her legs over his waist, wrapping her arm around his torso, or even kicking him a couple of times. He groaned for the 30th time and pushed Riley's leg off of him once more.

This was absolute torture. Was it so hard to ask for a good night's sleep without a disturbance like her?

He shifted over and rolled on his side, facing Aiden, and was surprised to find out that the kid was awake.

"James?" He mumbled softly. "Are you awake?"

"What?" He groaned again. Now the kid wanted to talk. James just wanted some sleep after driving for 8 hours straight.

"Can I tell you something?" He frowned.

"Go ahead. Might as well." James shrugged in annoyance. Since they were already talking and it looked like he wasn't going to get some rest anytime soon, he had nothing else to lose.

"I'm scared." Aiden sat up and fiddled with his fingers nervously. "Do you think that the army came here because of those things? Arizona is not too far from here, so what if they've already got to my dad? What if my father is dead too?"

"I'd be scared too," James replied casually. But to Aiden, it sounded cold and distant. Aiden laid back down and rolled over to face the other side of the room. James noticed the change in the kid's behavior and sighed.

James didn't know what else to say. He wasn't exactly the comforting type. He saw the world for how it was, a cruel place that caused everyone anxiety. So trying to comfort others wasn't exactly something he was good at.

"But.." James started, "I guess we shouldn't think like that. We should focus on today's problems rather than worry about tomorrow. It's a waste of time and energy."

"So I shouldn't be scared?" Aiden rolled over to face James. "Are you saying everything's going to be okay?"

"Of course not." James snorted. "Does everything look okay to you? You should be very concerned."

"Why are you so mean?" Aiden huffed.

"I'm being honest. I don't sugar coat, even if it's for kids like you." James stated. "Listen, kid," He sat up and combed his fingers through his hair. "We're all scared. I'm terrified for my family's life. There's nothing wrong with feeling fear. It comes naturally to us."

"I still don't get it."

"Of course you don't." James rolled his eyes. "I'm saying that feeling fear right now is obvious, but that doesn't stop us from living. Focus on what's going on now, so we'll be able to face what happens tomorrow head-on."

"Ohhhh. That's very helpful. Thank you!" Aiden nodded. "So what's your family like? Where do they live?"

James felt a little annoyed that he changed the topic so quickly, but he was too tired to act on it. "They live where we first met. Back at the restaurant. It's my home." James leaned back against his pillow. "They're just regular Taiwanese immigrants working hard to make ends meet in this country, all for me."

"Why do you feel scared for them?"

"Because my mother is in a wheelchair and my father is usually unaware and intoxicated during the midday." He frowned. "I don't want them to end up like my brother. They're all I have left since my family back in Taiwan don't reach out to us."