Catch Me When I Fall

On the Inside

Impulsive and driven by both hunger and the perpetual urge to look out for my mother – especially with her being pregnant - I feel compelled to steal some of it to take home. It's just me here right now, no one has to know.

Finding a couple take-out containers, I begin packing up as much of the leftover food as I can. Once I've collected what will fit in my backpack, I place it inside where no one else can see it or ever know I even took it.

Well, that's what I was hoping for.

Because of course, it's just typical of Khai to come waddling in at the most inconvenient time and catch me.

"Ty..." His voice trails off and he picks up his pace, likely approaching me to investigate. "What are you doing? They told us not to... we can't...we're not supposed to..."

***Khai's POV***

Tyrone doesn't say anything and just looks at me, his eyebrows slightly drawn together from what I assume to be stress.

"They specifically said..." I try again, but my voice gets stuck on the way out.

 I sigh, giving up.

"I know, I..." Tyrone looks like he wants to say something else but he stops himself. He seems uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing, but I... things are rough at home. Ricca needs it now more than ever." Tyrone tells me.

I remember him saying his mom was sick. Maybe it's because she was malnourished?

"Well, I know but... like... what if you get caught? What if they find out?" I ask worriedly. I'd hate for him to get in more trouble. "Cause if they know they might inform the cops because they're already keeping a close eye on you and then they're gonna take you away and you're going to be locked up with more of those scary people that might stab you-"

"Khai." Tyrone says with something of a laugh. "You worry too much."

"I know but..." I don't finish my sentence and just sigh, raising my eyes to Tyrone again. "Sometimes you don't care enough and I need to be worried."

Tyrone studies me quietly for a few seconds before continuing.

"I've stolen shit before, I know what I'm doing. Besides, this is different." Tyrone pauses. "Khai, they're going to throw this food out anyways, why does it matter?"

"Well, it's not that... I don't know, Ty." I give up. "And... you know you can always ask, right? I told you my mom and I can help out, meals, groceries... you name it." I remind him.

"I know, Khai. I do. I just hate asking, it makes me feel... guilty. When people are good to me it reminds me that I'm not and then I also worry about how I'm ever supposed to repay that-"

"You don't have to-"

"Yeah but I still feel bad if I don't. It makes me feel like I'm taking advantage."

"You don't make much sense, Tyrone. You feel guilty asking for things, but you feel absolutely no remorse for taking things that don't belong to you."

"I told you, Khai. I'm so fucking messed up. Hopefully you believe me a little, now."

"You're doing this to prove to me that you're not a good person?" I ask, somewhat baffled.

"No, of course not."

It's quiet for a few seconds.

"Look Ty, there's nothing wrong with asking for help. We're all human and shit goes down sometimes. There shouldn't be anything wrong with one human helping another. Nothing should be owed, it could be us and we would hope someone would do the same for us if we were stuck in that situation. Tell me, if I were starving and you were rich, would you help me?"