the green thought

Part 3

Ch 2

Thursday 4031, Onris

"Gina! Stop pulling his hair" 'ugh this little brat was insufferable this was what? the fourth month I'd been taking care of her? It didn't matter what I did or said I was invisible to her. This was my last job of the day, I just finished watching six other unruly monsters.' Hunching over I picked up Tommy who couldn't stop hiccuping. "I- hic want it! Hic'' he pointed at a bouncy ball I'd given him for his birthday. 'Damn what was wrong with this kid?' "Gina! Get back here!" She skipped back towards me, I knelt down to one knee putting Tommy back on his feet. Trying to take a deep breath I smiled "Gina, is that your ball?" She twirled her short curls and played with the bow that tied them loosely together. "No it's not" she said it with so much confidence I wanted to strangle her. With all the calm I could muster I pleaded to give her the satisfaction "then please give it back to Tommy, it belongs to him." She cocked her head to the side, bouncing the ball on my forehead.

I pocketed the thing and scooped her off her dumb sparkly purple shoes. Gina shrieked and pounded on my shoulder. "Put me down! Put me down! I hate you!" I leaned forward sitting her into a chair, she was stunned. I stood at my full height leaning over her. "You listen to me, you little wench! You're going to sit here until I leave, If I see so much as move I'm-" I stopped, feeling my clenched fist ache from strain. I let go of a harsh singh, Gina was glaring up at me through crocodile tears. I took a few steps back squatting down to her eye level. "Look, stealing is bad. Being mean to Tommy was bad, do you understand?" She stood up walking right up to me, her voice higher than before. "He's nothing, you're nothing I am an absolute, I can be mean to anyone I like." Gina balled her little fist punching the red mark on my forehead. I fell hard on my butt, my head throbbing again.

I let out a short growl and stalked over to her doll house. I ripped three barbies out of the living room, shoving them in my pocket. She was playing with her tea set as if that's all she'd ever been doing. Tommy was putting his shoes on and waiting by the door twiddling his thumbs like I taught him to when he was anxious. I walked over to the sink stuffing the shiny plastic figures into the trash compactor. Seeing a stuffed animal discarded in the kitchen I picked it up by its foot and forced it to join the barbies. 'They wouldn't be missed for long.'  When I walked by she huffed saying in a sing-song voice. "You were such a bad nothing, time out time." I swore under breath sitting beside Tommy. He leaned over, his eyes wide, I pulled him onto my lap enveloping him in a hug. "I'm sorry Tom, we can go get a treat after. That sound good?" He gave me a little nod and cupped his mouth to my ear. " chocolate?" I leaned my head against the wall closing my eyes "yep." He smiled big and sat back down playing with my loose shoelace.

The tall door opened mechanically with a hiss as a glossy skinned girl sauntered in, her massive heels clicking loudly. She patted Gina on the head before acknowledging my existence. I slide Tommy off my lap, straightening my shirt and smoothing out my trousers. I cleared my throat sounding much more confident then I felt. "Mistress Clara, how was your evening?" She waved her hand in my face turning back towards the kitchen. "Fine I suppose" I looked at Tommy eyeing the door, he stood and crept out into the hall. She came back holding my wage in a pink gloved hand. It was short by quite a bit. I held out my hand but she dropped them as soon as my arm moved, everything clattered to the floor.

"Mistress, there seems to be-" she slapped me as soon as I was upright again. "Don't you dare talk to me, leave before I have you arrested for trespassing." I bowed my head, clenching my jaw till it ached to hold my tongue. 'I need this job' Walking up to the elevator I handed the bouncy ball to Tommy picking him up in the other arm. He pulled at my shirt collar pulling me out of a trance, 'where were we?'  "On, you're squeezing me, can you put me down?" I instantly bent down guilt filling my chest. "I'm so sorry Tom, let's get you that chocolate." He smiled, taking my hand, "its okay On I forgive you." I gave him a quick smile taking note of our surroundings and led him into a tiny confectionery. He pulled me forward running through the aisles. He stopped in front of a tall display. After scanning all of the options he stood on his tippy toes "that one On, the truffle please?" I winced at the price but pulled it off the shelf straightening my shirt again. Tommy's eyes sparkled as I gently placed the parchment wrapped truffle onto the counter.

The cashier gave me the once over "what are you doing here?" I swallowed hard "I'm just here for the chocolate sir" I gave him a weak smile pulling my unit's out of my pocket, they jingled in my hand. The man huffed "fine, twenty units" "twenty!" I repeated, "but the price says fifteen." He glared at me folding his arms. "You are not in the ghetto, you pay for the exchange rate in Absolute shops, pay up or get out." I slapped two disks on the counter sliding the confection towards me. I spun on a heel pushing Tommy ahead of me. Once we were outside I brought my hand down to his chest. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He bounced up and down beside me. I jabbed my fists into my pockets trying to shake my brewing bad mood. Tommy's big smile helped as I walked him home.

He flung the heavy old building door open, nearly clipping my nose. I followed him loosely up the stairs. Tommy's mother opened their door, she gave him a quick kiss waving me inside. "I can't thank you enough Onris, here" she reached into her uniform holding out a small five unit triangle. I pushed her hand back "madame Madeline there's no need to-" she grabbed my wrist and held my hand closed around the money. "Don't be foolish Onris, I am sorry I can't offer you what you deserve. Please don't add insult to injury."

I nodded, shaking her hand, "thank you Madeline" she smiled kissing my cheek and embracing me. "You're such a sweet young man you are welcome here anytime." I blushed at the compliment raking my fingers through my hair. Just then Tommy and the other children ran by into the kitchen he was shouting over them "look what On got me!" All of them cooed over the tiny chocolate. I turned to the door hoping to avoid another lecture but Madeline slapped me upside the head with the first thing she could grab 'oh good its only a dish cloth.' "For heaven's sake Onris stop spoiling them!" I laughed for the first time today, her gaze was stern but kind. I let myself smile, "I'll see you all later."

They waved and laughed as I closed the door. Back home I braced for the swell of bodies in the room. The ceiling was low and full of smoke, music boomed around the room. Everyone reeked of cigarettes and whiskey. Pushing past the partiers I found one of my roommates. "Josh!" I shouted, our eyes locked and he pushed a girl off his lap. "Hey On what's up?" I pointed towards the kitchen to try and escape the noise he followed finishing off his glass. "You wrapping up anytime soon?" He laughed in my face releasing a wave of stench over me. I choked catching my breath.

"Bro we're just getting started but before you complain there's a ring set up downstairs if you wanted to let off a little steam, make some extra units...After all you were short on rent this month." he raised his eyebrows elbowing me. I sighed watching people disappear down the stairs. I shook off my coat, throwing it into my room. I rolled my shoulders back bouncing on my feet. 'I really could use the units, and I really did need to cool off.' Without another thought I swung my body over the banister jumping down the rest of the steps. The crowd roared around me as the first match began.