A Child for Christmas

Chapter 8 (Part 2)

Seth

On the drive back Maleek didn't speak to me. I don't think it was for any specific reason other than the fact that we were tired and no conversation was needed. I realized he only made small talk when around several people, other than that he's more introverted. I wanted to ask him about Haru, but it didn't seem appropriate. If I want to know about Haru, I can ask him myself, plus it will make for great conversation.

Joshua was already sitting outside in his truck. Oh crap - what time is it? I looked at the clock in the car and it said 9:10. I released a deep breath realizing I wasn't too late, only ten minutes, but I also have to put the groceries away. I hope he has the time to wait.

I asked him how long he was here, apparently he only pulled up about five minutes before us. I rushed inside to put all the food that needed to be refrigerated or frozen away. The rest could be left out until we get back. He didn't complain at all about the extra time that I had to take. He just stood outside and smoked a cigarette. It's a nasty habit, but I know it's not my place to say anything. Jeremy dragged his feet to get into Joshua's truck. He had to sit in the middle since he didn't have a back seat. His body leaned on to me and he whined about being uncomfortable every two minutes. It irritated me since I was already annoyed at the fact that we were sitting in a car that reeked of cigarettes and expensive cologne.

I was more than happy to exit the car and breathe the crisp winter air. It made me wonder if Haru smokes. I haven't seen him smoke, and he doesn't smell like smoke, but I can never be sure. If he does that's an automatic no. That smell makes my head hurt. With how healthy he eats I doubt he does. I rolled the windows in his truck all the way down, since I didn't want Jeremy to get sick from the smell. 

Joshua opened the hood of my car and looked inside. There was some frost settling around certain areas. I was never a car type of guy, so I'm not sure what every piece inside of my hood was. He scratched the side of his chin and asked for my keys. I was glad that they were in my pocket, because I didn't even think about needing them. He opened my car and tried to start the ignition. It clicked a few times, but refused to start. He left the car on and went back to look in the hood. He came back around to turn the car off and handed me my keys. 

"Your car stopped because you're out of gas, but I think you have a bad battery. In the winter time a lot of cars battery's will freeze and problems start to occur. I can't be sure until I do a full check up though. I can get a tow truck in here tomorrow and then do a full car Inspection in about two days." I sighed knowing that if my battery was the problem, I didn't have the money to fix. 

"Okay, thank you. I really do appreciate it". I grabbed a majority of the stuff out of my car since I didn't know if I'd be able to come and get things while it's in the shop. Anything that would fall out of the truck I set on the floor, otherwise it went in the trunk. Once exiting the car I waited for him to drive off before opening the door. It felt weird to leave the door unlocked. It would be my fault if anything got stolen, but Haru didn't leave me a key to use. Jeremy ran upstairs, I already knew that he was going to go finish his nap. He will probably wake up in 20 minutes with more energy than I would think a person could be capable of. Children seem to do that, when you want them awake they're tired and grouchy, and when it's time to calm down they have all the energy in the world. 

I finished putting the groceries up and then relaxed into the couch to watch some television. I'll make something to eat when Jeremy wakes up. This felt nice, being in a home with heat feels nice. Haru's house surpassed my old apartment by a long shot. I didn't have heat for the last two weeks since I didn't have the money to pay that bill. Jeremy and I would simply cuddle up in my bed with bundles of blankets. Living here would allow him to continue going to the same school, and it would give me a job. I think I'll call my sister later on and tell her I won't be coming anymore.