The Neighbor Next Door

Stormy day.

[warning for topics of physical & mental abuse in this chapter]

MePhone sat awkwardly on his couch, as BallPoint pen retracted the umbrella he held, closing it, and leaving it by the door. He then looked over at the robot, his expression unreadable. MePhone's gaze fell to the floor.

This was normal. About once a month, he stopped by to check up on him, and give him the monthly check from his Dad, because of course for some reason, instead of directly sending it to his own son, he needed a mediator. Which was just so stupid, but it really did show just how much that man hated him. MePhone supposed it was justified, but he didn't want to think about that right now. These monthly check-ups were already stressful enough for the blue haired boy. Not a word had been spoken yet, but thankfully BallPoint finally said something as he sat down.

"I see you're still doing..." He paused, almost examining the robot. "Fine? I hope?" The older man just leaned back in the arm chair, looking around the rest of the room, almost as if he were looking for any new decoration choices or something from the last time he was there.

"Um... Yeah, I've been... Keeping up with the routine, mostly... I've been talking to people more-- um, my neighbor? The one that lives in the house between ours," MePhone explained, still not making eye contact.

"Yes, well, when he spoke to me for the first time, he actually asked me about you. After that, I did see you two speak. How did that go?"

"He... Asked about me?" MePhone glanced up, a bit worried. "What... Did you tell him?"

"Nothing personal, I can assure you. Just the simple 'I was friends with your dad' thing, really. It's not my place to say anything else." BallPoint adjusted his glasses a bit, his gaze landing idle on the TV, even if it was muted currently. "Now answer what I asked,"

"It went fine, uh... He apparently has a sister. She lives across the street, actually."

"Yes, I know. Her and her dad used to live in the house he's living in now."

"What?" MePhone looked up at him, confused.

"Yes, well, divorce creates weird situations. I talked to their dad on the occasion when he was still alive."

MePhone blinked. This was a lot of information, but... This was also probably something he shouldn't be getting told, even if he was curious.

"I... Don't think this is any of my business," He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze falling again.

"Yes, well, I suppose it isn't. Anyways, other than this routine, how are you actually doing?" The older man crossed his arms, his gaze moving to stare at MePhone again.

"Like you said, I'm... Fine, it's been... going," MePhone had to stifle so much, both not wanting to talk emotions with this man, or give too much away, because it was still unclear if this guy had any contact with his dad beyond the monthly check mediating. That's what always made him feel so terribly nervous around BallPoint. He wasn't even that bad of a guy. He was just some older media reviewer, who used to write stuff for the newspapers. He retired a little bit after MePhone became an adult, and that's mostly when the visits started. Sometimes it would be a gap of two months instead of just one, but MePhone never minded waiting for the checks. He didn't think he deserved them, really, so he didn't spend much anyways, unless needed. A lot of it was just saved, and reserved. He knew his dad hated him, but MePhone could tell there was still some obligation to send him money to make sure he was living fine. It was also probably something to keep him quiet. The first time he got a check, he was naturally confused, still hoping his dad would actually come back, but it was just normal after all these years. The last thing his dad needed was MePhone ending up on the streets or something and embarrassing his image for not being able to pay utilities. Honestly, at some times it almost felt condescending. It was like Cobs knew he wouldn't, or couldn't get a job, or income himself.