Can You See Me/Can You Hear Me

Anything To Make You Happy

Heidi woke up that morning due to her alarm going off. She rolled over and grabbed her phone, squinting her eyes as the bright light shined in her face. She turned off the alarm and threw her blankets off. She stood up and walked over to her closet to get her work uniform. She was about to strip down and get dressed when her phone chimed again.

She walked over and checked it. Her phone had sent a reminder. That's right, she promised Evan she'd stay home with him. When he got back, of course; he had school and she wasn't going to let him skip just so they could spend time with each other.

She decided to make him a small breakfast instead of the store bought donuts and muffins she usually left him. She wandered into the kitchen and got down two plates along with a pan. She turned on the stove and walked to the fridge to get sandwich supplies. She was making Evan a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich, his favorite food.

It wasn't a traditional breakfast, but he liked it and mornings were the only time she could ever make it for him. So, it was a breakfast food now.

She set his sandwich on the table by his chair. She proceeded to make herself a simple bowl of Cheerios. She set the bowl across from Evan's spot. She did the dishes while she waited for him to wake up. It was 6:25 so it shouldn't take too long.

She heard the blaring alarm from down the hall and smiled as a quiet groan came from the room. The alarm stopped abruptly and soft stumbling could be heard. Five minutes later, Evan came walking down the hallway.

She bit her lip. She wanted to talk to him about last week. She had gotten a voicemail from the school saying he wasn't in any of his classes. But he seemed like he was in a good mood when she got home that she just let it slide. Next time she wouldn't go so easy on him. If there ever is a next time. She hoped there wasn't a next time.

"Morning, Ev," she said as he stopped in the hallway to yawn. He looked surprised and her stomach twisted with guilt.

"Morning," he said softly. He had his cane in his hand, but wasn't using it. Since Heidi was rarely home, she never changed furniture or moved things so he had the layout of the home memorized. He moved to sit down.

Heidi sat down too. "I made you a fried peanut butter and jelly." The smallest smile formed on his lips. "So, I was thinking that we could have tacos tonight. Like we used to."

Evan nodded and bit into his sandwich. They both heard his phone buzz and Evan fished it out of his pocket. He turned it on and the phone read the notification.

"Connor: outside when you're ready," the phone read. Evan quickly finished his sandwich and stood up.

"Doesn't Jared usually pick you up?" Heidi asked, scooping Cheerios onto her spoon.

"Oh um." Evan fidgeted with his sleeve. "He uh, his car is b— it's in the shop."

Heidi frowned at the obvious lie, but didn't push.

"See you later mom," he said. "Thanks, thanks for, for breakfast."

She smiled. "Have a good day." Evan nodded and walked out of the apartment. Heidi sighed and looked around. She wasn't used to days off, especially ones where Evan wasn't home; she didn't know what to do.

She could clean. She had noticed the house was pretty dusty. So that's what she did. She got out cleaning supplies and got to work.

She washed the cabinets in the kitchen because they were surprisingly filthy. She vacuumed. She dusted the tables and the ceiling fan.

She was dusting a table when she spotted the pictures. She set her feather duster down and picked one up. It was of Evan's first day of kindergarten. He had wanted to look good so Heidi got him a new pair of jeans and a nice grey flannel that was buttoned up. Jared was peeking out behind him wearing a Mario shirt and shorts. Bandaids littered both his legs due to constantly playing outside.