Cozy • An Embry Story

.14

Embry's POV

I've never seen Paul up this early. Though I bet he hardly slept. When my mom and I got up this morning, we were trying to keep things quiet to let Paul sleep in. We were both shell shocked at the neatly folded pile of blankets and a fully dressed Paul on the couch.

"Good morning Paul," My mom greets Paul with a pleasantly surprised demeanor. Which he shrugs at and gives his own mumbled greeting. I didn't get much out of him either when I asked him how he slept.

As my mom gets ready for work, I do what Emily always does when we're upset; I make breakfast. With an entire box of pancake batter, a whole carton of eggs and whatever ham I had for bacon. I hope it could perk up Paul the slightest bit.

"Eat up." I serve Paul a plate, which he hesitantly takes.

"Thanks." Is all he mumbles. My mom is much more impressed, gasping at the spread when she comes in fastening her earrings.

"What, fresh orange juice too?" My mom jokes. Her good mood doesn't help Paul, who just hunches more in his seat. Last thing we want is him feeling like he's intruding, or my mom and I are some perfect home when he's at his lowest.

"It's all for our guest." I give Paul a firm pat on his shoulder who just mumbles another thanks.

"And maybe for me too." I add. "I don't have a lot of excuses to make all this everyday." It doesn't do much to remedy the mood in the kitchen. We all settle to eat in silence, the only sounds being the scrapes of utensils and the clatter of plates. I know Paul is upset since he didn't help himself to seconds even after my mom offers.

"I have to go work." My mom excuses herself, grabbing together her stuff. She pauses by Paul's chair and gives him a warm smile. "Paul are joining you us for dinner?"

"I... dunno yet." Paul admits with a bruised look on his face.

"Well, you're always welcome here, Paul." My mom assures before wishing us both a good day. That didn't seem to make Paul feel any better. None of the less, he does say goodbye to my mom. Much like Paul, I'm not sure what he's going to do next. I'm not sure if he's going to get seeing his dad over with, or wait him out till he leaves, maybe go home for some stuff, or wolf out at any minute.

All I know is that Paul can't be alone today.

"Wanna head over to Quil's later today?" Instead asking what he needs, I try something else. Paul nods at my suggestion. Quil is probably the funniest and most easiest going in our pack, which I think would be good for Paul right now. He has all day tomorrow to worry about his old man. Today, he can just be with his friends and have a normal day.

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Winnie's POV

Every first of the month, I head over to the main house to pay the rent to Old Lady Enola, who always seems to forget to collect from me. Not because she's forgetful. Enola is one of the most out spoken, witty, sharpest and occasionally down right meanest ladies on the reservation. Her "forgetting" is her way of being nice to me.

"You're on time as always, Winnifred." She doesn't greet me, just waves me in. Once a week every month, she's at her backdoor waiting for me at nine sharp. "Maybe be a little late next month so I can sleep in a bit."