***
"How are you doing this morning, Kingsley?" Ed asked the younger boy who had walked into his house with a cup of coffee in his hand as he sat on his couch. Zach looked over at Ed and shrugged before walking to the kitchen.
"I'm okay I guess," he grabbed a granola bar from the basket that sat in the middle of Ed's island and began unwrapping it.
"Did you go straight to sleep after your breakdown last night?" Ed asked sipping on his coffee. Zach took a sip of his coffee and shook his head before lifting up his cup.
"No. But I have to study so that's why I'm drinking coffee."
"Have you been going to your appointments?"
"Yes, Father I have."
Ed chuckled, got up from the couch and walked towards Zach.
"Have you spoken to your parents?" Ed asked him.
Although, he knew that Zach hated speaking about them he couldn't help but ask. Zach resisted on rolling his eyes, so instead he closed them and began rubbing his temples. He hadn't spoken to his parents in months, well, his dad in months. He had a conversation with his mother a few weeks ago but it was their usual 'how are you doing?'.
"They are the last people I want to speak to and speak about, Ed."
"Sorry lad."
"It's alright. How's Gracie doing?" Zach took a bite out of his granola bar. Ed frowned, his daughter's name being brought up brought sadness to his eyes.
"Monica won't let her come over"
"But why? She's your daughter too."
"She has her reasons, Zach. Plus, she has full custody of her so I'm lucky enough to even see her when I do."
"Ed, you've been sober for 10 years now, you're clean."
"I was sober for 10 years Zach, until I relapsed."
"And how long ago was that, Ed? 6 years ago? That can't be an excuse anymore."
"But it is. I relapsed after being clean for 10 years. I did it to myself. I risked the chances of me ever seeing Gracie again. It was my fault and she has every right to not let me see her."
"Ed—"
"Just leave it alone, Zach." Ed interrupted him.
"Sorry"
"It's alright, kid."
Ed patted Zach's shoulder as he walked behind him to close the curtains in the kitchen. The two boys began to converse about their feelings and their plans for the rest of the day. Ed barely even started his as he was just sitting on the couch that morning before Zach barged in the house, just wearing pajamas and some slides. Zach's hair was such a mess that he had to cover it with a grey velvet durag.
The small amount of energy that Zach actually possessed made him exhausted, he was sleeping on Ed's couch with his phone on his chest and one arm in his sweats. Although coffee was supposed to make him energetic, it completely did the exact opposite. His excessive sleepiness definitely had other plans.
