Hold My Hand

Two

She paused for a while and smiled when she realized who was at their breakfast table. It is a rare sight to see, especially when her mother had been absent from their meal table most of the time because of her jobs. Skipping down the stairs, she placed her bag on the chair and wrapped her arms around her mother's shoulders, kissing the top of her head.

"Good morning, mom," Taylor said brightly, and then ruffled her little sister's hair. "Good morning, dwarf."

Her sister groaned in protest with hotdogs in her mouth, frowning indignantly. She sat down and started to put food on her plate.

"So how's school so far? Have you adjusted yet?" her mom asked.

Taylor nodded and smiled. "Of course. I already have friends. And the people aren't so bad. Did I already tell you about the rebels and the elites? I can't believe we have those," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"That's really good to hear, honey," her mother smiled. "Just don't hesitate to tell me if you need anything, or if you're having a hard time. Okay?"

"It's just the start of the year, mom. And yeah, I'll tell you if there's a problem. Which...won't happen!" she grinned confidently.

Taylor turned to look at her mother, taking in her paler-than-usual face (hopefully more brought about by fatigue and not from a secret illness). "Are you okay, mom? How's work?" she asked.

She knew how juggling two jobs a day and taking care of two children alone could be exhausting. She knew because she also worked for the summer, too, and took care of her little sister when her mom was out.

"Oh, I'm fine. I think I pulled a muscle carrying those boxes in the grocery last night. I did the entire inventory," she said, stretching her neck sideways. Taylor stood up worriedly and inspected the skin.

"It's kind of warm," she said, palpating the muscle. "Do you want me to fill in for you tonight?" she asked.

Her mother laughed. "Of course not, silly. I want you to concentrate on your studies and maintain your scholarship, honey. There's nothing that your momma can't do," she paused, seeing the unconvinced look on her daughter's face.

Taylor swore she got the optimism from her mother, and she doesn't know if that's a good thing or not.

"I promise, Tay. I'll tell you when I need help, okay? Now eat your breakfast. You're going to be late for school," she assured her daughter, rubbing her cheek affectionately. 

Still, Taylor was unconvinced as she took her seat, observing her mother quietly. As much as she wanted to help her mother with a job, she knew that it would also put her mind at ease if she does well in school. It was a constant dilemma, and that's why she focuses all her energy on things that could put her mother at ease, and ignoring the things that would just hurt.

Like her father, for example. She had spent a good time crying over her father who left them for another woman, but that was over now. She couldn't do anything about it except move on.

"Do you really have a lot of friends now, in just a few days?" Her little sister, Reese, asked, breaking her reverie.

"Of course. It's not too hard, dwarf," she grinned, teasing her.

She had always encouraged her sister to always try and make friends, which she has a hard time doing so.  Reese is mature and well-spoken for her age, buried in her books all day.

"Huh," the six-year-old girl scoffed to tease her sister. "You have a lot of friends, but not one boyfriend. Hurry up, Taylor. Before the good ones will be gone," she said, biting off her hotdog. In return, Reese teases her older sister that she's going to grow up an old maid.