Mind Full of Paper ♔ zarry stylik

3

"Home so soon, baby?" Zain's mother, Trisha called.

"Ma...Boss ain't working with anymore." There was a guilt in Zain's voice.

"Why, you're the best fighter in town! Possibly the state too! Sonshine, it's alright." The mother started coughing.

"Ma, no...Boss paid me a low amount today and I had met this poor boy-he lives in a Hooverville! He was there for the $3. I felt bad for not winning so I gave him my salary. The boy seems like my age and he too seems to be British. I had asked him why he doesn't work-he told me he couldn't say."

"You've done good, Zain. ...Hooverville? My! Invite the boy and his family over! Maybe you two can work together. WPA is always hiring."

"I know ma, but they don't always pick people. Everyday they pick only 5 out of a crowd of a hundred. Plus, they wouldn't let me work. The boy-Harold...He didn't mention a family, he kept panicking about some 'mad man'."

"Malik, is that a broken hand?" The mother was now stern. Zain knew just by looking at her eyes that she wanted him to come in closer. So he did. Trisha looked very sick-very pale. Her eyes were always tired and she'd be in bed all day.

"It is, but Harold wrapped it up with a piece of his shirt...It is awfully late to call him over, but then again, he does sleep on a pile of rags."

"Pile of rags," The mother thought,"I don't think he gets any sleep. Go see if he's alright-is he dirty?"

"Well, he seems a tad clean. But Ma, he has scars all over him."

The mother shook her head,"I don't think that's an ordinary boy, Malik. Go check on him," She coughed once more. "He seems like he's hiding something."

"Mother, no. I need to stay here and take care of you. Have you eaten dinner?" Zain spoke as he popped some of his mother's pills for her heart, pouring some water in a glass.

"I can take care of myself, Malik. I have eaten, yes. Thank you for the eggs, sweetheart. Now go!"

"Mum, you don't get out of bed unless it's to eat dinner when I'm not home. At times you don't even eat dinner! You have to quit taking more dosages than what is prescribed." Zain's mother had cardiac problems-heart issues and there was a risk of a permanent stroke. Zain locked up the medicine ever since he saw his mother overdosing-not on purpose, but thinking it would help more.

"I know, baby, but you shouldn't be putting all this responsibility on yourself. Once you get a wife-perhaps Gigi-she can look after me at times."

"Mum, I don't want to marry her."

"She's got the money, the looks, a mansion, what more do you want?" Zain's mother would always argue about this. Her voice rose and so did her coughing.

"Ma! No...I will...give it some time though." Zain never liked the girl. She was full of herself and really didn't care for his well beings-but for his looks. She didn't care about his mother. She wanted to be in on the fame and get more money than she already has. She really didn't have a heart, but a heart for fortune and fame.

"I'll go find Harold." Zain avoided the subject, grabbing his hat and overcoat, heading out the door.

(I will be updating Mon-Fridays ! Sorry for the delay x.)