A Child for Christmas

Chapter 7

Seth

"What does he do for a living?" I waited until Maleek left so that he wouldn't take my questions as me being rude. I knew they weren't rude at all, but I could get a little hyped up if he had decided to be difficult. I turned off the lights in the kitchen and walked over to sit on the couch near Haru. The lights were dim in the room as he only left on the pot lights over the fireplace. 

"He's a doctor, why?"

"Just curious. He hinted something about Jeremy, and so I just wanted to see if it was something I should even be concerned about". Haru's eyes widened and I could see that his eyelashes were actually quite long.

"I promise he meant no harm. I can talk to him about it if you want me to. He's a really sweet guy I promise -"

I interrupted his panicked speech. "Haru, I'm not mad. If there's something I should know about my son it's good that I catch it early. Knowing is better than not knowing". His shoulders dropped releasing the tension that was building up. "When I tried to question him about it he dropped the subject, so I just wanted to know."

"He really hates talking to people without a diagnosis. It can make him sound like a true ass, so he avoids it. If you bring it up again and let him know you won't be mad, I'm sure he'll talk to you about it". I took in the information, promising myself that I'd bring it up tomorrow when we go grocery shopping. I was a little anxious now. All I could think about was autism, wouldn't he show the signs for that by now? I realized I never gave Haru a response, he was sitting looking at me awkwardly.

"Sorry, yea, I'll make sure to do that". He gave a small smile and turned on the t.v. Probably as some sort of distraction to fill the silence.

"Seth." I looked over at him. He had the remote in his hand turning the volume to a lower setting. "I have an offer, and you don't have to take it, I just want to let you know".

"Ummm, okay what is it?" He didn't look at me when he started speaking. He was focused on flipping through the channels. Now I know I can watch t.v shows outside of Netflix. 

"I know once your car is ready you're going to leave, but you don't have to". I wanted to butt in, but I could tell he was already nervous as it is. "My friend says they have a job position opening up after New Years that you can take. If you want to stay down here you can work until you are stable enough to find your own place".

I didn't really understand where this was coming from. Is he just lonely? After knowing someone for two days he offers me a home and a job. It all seems like too much. "That's very kind of you, but I can't just live off of you".

"No, of course not. You would take care of the grocery's and the water bill. But that's way less than paying for rent in some houses. I just want to make sure that you're stable. There's already a job offer here. I want to give you the foundation to take it. Jeremy should have some stability". He's right. It's dumb of me to go and live with my sister - that I don't like - in hopes of finding a job when there's already one here.

"Can I think about it?" I just need time for all of this. It feels like I'm being rushed. 

"Yea completely". It's still hard to imagine living with a man that I know is attracted to me. He's giving me so many possibilities and offering so much. It almost feels like a charity case though. Even if it is a charity case I don't have much to loose right now. It's not like I'd be living with him for free. I'd still be paying my fair share. I know I should take the offer, but it still just doesn't feel quite right. I'll think about it. I have until tomorrow when my car is hopefully fixed to give him an answer. "Also, if it doesn't work out it wouldn't be hard to then go live with your sister". Thats true. 

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Morning

When I woke up Haru was already gone, but he left a note. It told me to use the money for all grocery's, including the ones I want to get. There was 200$ sitting next to the paper. How much is he expecting me to get? I saw the list on the back of his paper and all of that had to have a sum of around 70$. Better safe than sorry I guess. It was more difficult to wake Jeremy up this morning. He complained all throughout his shower and didn't give me any help when putting on his clothes. this was the last outfit he had in his bag, which made me glad that I'd be going to my car today. It didn't take me long to get ready, especially since I didn't want to keep Maleek waiting when he arrives. I made a quick cup of coffee and drank it before the doorbell rang ten minutes later.

I had to carry Jeremy to the car, since he had fallen back asleep. Maleek opened the car door since my hands were full with my son. Jeremy's head tilted to one side looking slightly uncomfortable, but there wasn't much I could do for him in his sleep. We arrived at the store and I wondered if I should question Maleek now or on the ride back home? 

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Okay guys, I'm just too tired to write anymore. But I'll either push out three chapters tomorrow and one on New Years, or two tomorrow and two on New Years. It just depends on how it goes. I know this story may seem shorter than my other ones with less chapters, but each chapter has about 1,000+ words. If you celebrate the New Year with alcohol please be safe and responsible ;)