No Mask

The boy sat in the car searching for it. Under the seats, in the glove compartment, and in the door storage spaces. Panic sets in as he gets out to check the backseat. His palms began to sweat. His heart beats dangerously hard in his chest. I’m so stupid! He could not believe he had made this mistake.

They have been 2 days without food in the house. He couldn’t allow that to continue. Going back home empty handed was not an option. He couldn’t bother mom. The last time he asked her for something she cried in her room for 2 days. Leaving him to take care of his 2-year-old twin brothers. Every little thing sets her off. She is too fragile. She has been this way since his younger sister and dad died one month ago.

Getting back in the car he thinks hard. He has to take care of the family. His dad always told him that. He’d taken a risk driving here, underage with no driver’s license. He thought of his brothers at home, hungry in front of the TV. He takes his dad’s keys from the ignition. Takes the credit card from his dad’s wallet. He adjusts his dad’s favorite baseball cap on his head and gets out of the car. Holding back tears of fear, he finally understood what “man up” truly meant.

With the thought of the twins forcing his every step, he enters the supermarket 10 minutes before close. He reluctantly breathes the recycled air as he quickly makes his way through the store. He grabs 4 gallons of milk, several jars of peanut butter and jelly, and several loaves of bread. He quickly scans and pays at self-checkout. Throwing everything in the back seat he slowly hurries home. Be carfeful. No more mess ups.

He parks on the street and struggles down his driveway with the heavy bags. At the back door he finds his mask on the ground. Damn. Once inside, he thoroughly washes his hands and face at the kitchen sink. He removes his clothes and throws them in the washer. He grabs clean clothes out of the dryer and puts them on.

He checks on everyone. The boys are still watching their movie and mom’s door is still locked. He gets emotional. Relieved that he had made it back safely and that things are still the same at home. Not okay but at least the same. He makes six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pour 3 cups of milk. In this moment he feels some sense of normalcy.

Tomorrow he will worry about Covid19. Tomorrow he will hope his mom snaps out of her depression. Tomorrow he will grieve the death of his father and sister. He had done enough of that for today.