daddy ☞ n.m.

t w o

nathan montgomery maloley

as soon as michael and eva settle down on the couch with some snacks and start watching spongebob, i head over to the kitchen where my mom is making some mashed potatoes.

"hey momma." i say while sitting at one of the bar stools placed at the kitchen counter.

she gives me a sympathetic smile as she continues to mash the potatoes.

"just know that your father and i are here for you during this rough time. you, michael, and eva can stay here as long as you need until you can get a new apartment and job. i love you and those kids so much." she says and then reaches her hand and caresses my cheek.

i thank her and stand up, walking over to the front door to grab some fresh air.

i walk out and close the door behind me. i grab a blunt from my pocket and light it with my lighter, proceeding to sit down on the steps of the front porch after.

as i take another puff, i sigh thinking about how i'm going to get another job and find a new apartment. i place my head in my hands but lift my head back up when i hear a familiar voice.

i look next door to see my parents' neighbor, ms. walsh. she was an elderly woman whose husband recently passed away. but there was someone helping her get the mail.

i look closely to see the girl from the grocery store, helping ms. walsh walk to the mailbox.

i put out the blunt and proceed to walk over to the two.

"well, looks like we meet again." i say softly before watching her turn to face me.

she smiles once she remembers me and then says "hey. what are you doing here?"

"julie, this is my neighbor's son i was telling you about. isn't he a charming young man?" ms. walsh says causing julie to giggle.

"grandma, i've already met him." she says causing ms. walsh to laugh as well.

"so, we're about to have easter dinner. would you two like to join? unless, of course, you have other plans." i ask julie.

"we would love to. we were just going to have some frozen dinners and watch golden girls but i guess we're coming over. thank you for the invite." julie says before flashing me a smile.

"okay so we'll be home, just stop by whenever you guys are ready." i say before waving and walking back to my parents' house.

"ms. walsh and her granddaughter are joining us. they'll be here soon." i say to my mom as i walk into the kitchen smiling and then pop a cherry tomato into my mouth.

"nate, you're smiling like a fool. what's gotten into you?" my mom asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

i playfully roll my eyes and brush off her question.

as she starts to boil some pasta, eva comes into the kitchen.

"daddy i'm tired." eva says while yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"momma, can i put her in the guest bedroom?" i turn to my mom.

"yes, no problem." my mom says while placing some things into the fridge.

i nod and pick up eva, feeling her body go more limp as she begins to fall asleep while i carry her up the stairs.

i open the door to the guest bedroom and hear little footsteps running up the stairs. i turn to see michael walking into the guest bedroom as i lay eva in the bed.