Homebound

Chapter 6

        "I'm home!" Robert calls from the foyer. The stairs are a few feet in front. Right next to it is the living room with a leather red couch, armchair, and TV. Bookshelves cover a wall. It is filled with books of all different color, size, and genre. A little bit further is the dining room with a long brown table and cushioned chairs. The walls have been painted some sort of yellow. If the sun is shining through the windows, it gives the house a brighter demeanor. Picture frames show a happy family. At the left of the stairs is a hallway leading to the garage and Robert's home office.

     "Daddy!" Delilah appears from the living room. She is quite diminutive, has a pale complexion, and big square glasses hide her brown eyes. Her hair is straight, mousy brown made in a braid. She wears a pleated skirt with a cardigan, and her shoes are black flats. She carries an armful of books and seems to be struggling with it.

     "Do you need help?" He asks his darling daughter as he kisses her forehead.

     "I'm fine. Mommy is in the kitchen cooking dinner , and Joshua is upstairs frying his neurons playing some video game." She stops and stares right past Robert's shoulder. She stares Asher up and down. He has messy, wavy chocolate brown curls. Freckles glitter his tan skin. His eyes are a warm honey brown. He wears a maroon sweater, black jeans, and old lumber boots. She stares at her father thoughtfully. She shakes her head and quietly goes up the stairs without another word.

      "Your daughter is pretty." Asher compliments.

     "Don't even think about it," Robert warns. Asher raises his hands defensively.

     "I could be her older brother. How old is she? Four years old?"

      "She's twelve years old, actually. She's very mature for her age." Robert scowls and leads the way to the kitchen where there is a splendid aroma.

     "Hello, honey." Robert hugs Laura from behind as she stirs some vegetables. She lays her spatula down and turns to face Robert. She gives him a passionate kiss that always leaves Robert wanting more. Asher's cheeks turn a slight pink as he is intruding in an intimate moment. He is uncomfortable with the way they look so in love. "I have a guest for us."

     Laura smiles and steps next to Robert as his arm wraps around her waist.

     "Who is this handsome fellow?" Asher steps forward and introduces himself.

     "I'm Asher, Mrs. Barker."

     "Nice to meet you, dear. You'll be staying for dinner?"

     "About that," Robert intervenes, "Asher will be staying for a short time period. I offered our services to his social worker as she looks for another foster home to take him. I know I should've called and asked bu-"

     "Nonsense." Laura waves her hand dismissively. "The spare bedroom is the last room on the right. If you would like I can wash your clothes for you. Leave them out for me."

     "Thanks, Mrs. Barker. She is my type, Mr. Barker. You'll have to worry I don't steal her from you." Laura giggles, and Robert frowns.

    "I'd stick to someone more your age, kid. She's mine."

     "Not for long." Asher smirks and leaves.

     "I love you." Robert kisses her gently. Of course, Laura would understand. He is thankful she is cooperative.

    "I know." She smiles shyly. "I love you, too. Now, let me get back to cooking or the food will burn."

       Asher quietly climbs the stair and goes down the hall into the spare room. It takes him a while as he inspects the photos hanging on the wall. He sees many pictures of a young couple smiling lovingly at each other, a baby girl with a smile that melts the heart, a boy riding a bike, family photos at Disney World, school pictures, brother and sister goofing around and not noticing they were being photographed, and multiple shots of individual parent with one child. A pain strikes him in his chest, and he is unable to look anymore.

       The room is small but bigger than any room he stayed in. The walls are a pale green with brown drawers and bed. The curtain by the window is a light blue. He fantasizes about how he can decorate the room. A few posters from his favorite bands over at that wall, and he could change the sheets to a darker color. He stops himself from continuing. He's going to leave soon. There is no point in getting too comfortable. He sighs, throws his bag off his shoulders, and plops himself onto the bed. It is so soft and smells like lavender.

       Asher needs a cigarette. He goes through his bag to find a pack and his lighter. He opens the window, so the smell doesn't linger. He ignites his cigarette, places his lips on it, and blows. A puff of smoke appears, and Asher feels the tension at his stomach slowly disappear. Each puff he takes relaxes him.

        Feeling better, he snuffs the end out by closing his forefinger and thumb on it. The dying flame hurts him, but he welcomes it as an old friend.

       Pain.

        That is what Asher is always feeling. His pain can vary. It can be a small pain that is bearable. A dull weight in his chest. It doesn't bother him much. He can go about his day and not notice it at all. Then suddenly, it can sharpen unpredictably. He has to clutch his chest hard and take big breaths to ease the intense pressure. That happens when he sees a small child riding the back of their father, or their mother fussing over them to put sunscreen. It happens when he is lying on his bed feeling cold and alone. It happens when he eats his cold dinner of bland leftover pasta from yesterday. It leaves as quickly as it comes like it was never there in the first place.

         Once in a blue moon does Asher experience overpowering pain. It leaves him immobile. He can't think, speak, or move. His head buzzes, his limbs feel heavy, and something within him is forcing its way back up. The only thing he can concentrate on is the anguish in his heart. The emptiness wrapping him up. The darkness is threatening to rule him and never let him escape. It hurts so much; he is willing to slip into the abyss of his sorrow to rid of the pain. Yet, he doesn't. He somehow lights his cigarettes and blows. Blows all the anxiety, melancholy, and wrath within him.

         A light tapping brings him out of his pensive thinking.

       "Come in," he grunts. A boy with blonde hair and a toothy grin sticks his head in.

       "Hi, Asher. I'm Joshua. Mom sent me to get you for dinner. I hope you like lasagna because it's my favorite. Mom also baked cinnamon buns for dessert. She is a really good cook. You can sit next to me at the table if you want." Wow, this boy talks a lot. He's a ball of sunshine.

      "I'm coming; save my seat for me."

      "Ok!" Joshua salutes before speeding away. Asher hears his loud descent downstairs. Asher chuckles and gets up to follow after him in a slower pace. A new family to eat dinner with, a new environment to adapt to, and new pain to go through.

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       Hey everyone! I hope you like this chapter! I enjoyed writing this one. I PASSED MY PERMIT TEST. That was a very stressful experience. Hehe. Watch out, pedestrians. Stay awesome. 

                                                                                                             Liz