Celine sat on the worn-out couch, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers to all their problems.
The soft ticking of the wall clock filled the silence, punctuated by the occasional clatter of Reed's toy truck as it bumped over the uneven wooden floor.
Reed, in his own little world, was completely absorbed, his small hands guiding the truck back and forth with a focus that only a child could muster.
His quiet hums were the only sound that broke the heavy atmosphere hanging over the room.
"August," Celine began, her voice tinged with exhaustion as she broke the silence, "we're down to just seventeen hundred and fifty dollars. That's it."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in as she watched August, who was sitting across from her, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes were fixed on a crack in the floorboard, but she could see the tension in his jaw.
He finally looked up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "That's not going to last us a week, Celine. Not with rent coming up, and groceries... and Reed." His voice trailed off as his gaze shifted to their son.
Reed was now carefully opening the back of his toy truck, his tiny fingers working with determined precision.
He placed a piece of candy inside, a little stash he had been hoarding, and then closed the truck again, pushing it along with a soft squeak. The sound was almost soothing, a reminder of simpler times, but it was quickly overshadowed by the looming reality of their situation.
Celine leaned forward, elbows on her knees, her hands clasped tightly together. "They won't pay me until next month, August. And even then, it's not much. The sales lady's job barely covers anything, and as your secretary..."
She trailed off, shaking her head. "Let's be honest, it's not enough. You're not exactly bringing in big bucks yet as a model, are you?"
August let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back and rubbing his face with both hands. "I know, I know. I'm still a nobody model. I went to Ric Pierre, tried to sell him those photos we thought were so good. His secretary didn't even let me get through the door. Just told me they weren't interested."
He chuckled bitterly. "They praised those photos to high heaven last time, and now they act like they're worthless. That was my third rejection in two weeks, Celine."
Celine bit her lip, her mind racing. "Third rejection, yeah, now it's a total of twenty-nine... What are we going to do? We don't have enough to keep going like this."
She looked over at Reed, who was now driving his truck in slow, deliberate circles, the soft squeak of the wheels the only sound in the room.
August's eyes followed hers, and he let out a low groan. There's a kid in the house. One who needs food!!!
"What's left in the house? There's got to be something we can scrape together."
Celine sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just the broccoli... There's a lot of it in the back of the fridge. I got it two weeks ago when my boss gave me too much as a bonus. I thought it would last us, but it's not enough."
August frowned, frustration evident in his voice. "Reed doesn't even eat broccoli. They're like monsters to him. He won't eat it, you know that." His eyes were tired, a reflection of the endless struggle they seemed to be trapped in.
Celine nodded slowly, her thoughts elsewhere. "I know, but I like it. It's just... It's… ugh! We're going to starve him then?" Her gaze drifted back to Reed, who was now carefully hiding another piece of candy in his truck, a quiet giggle escaping his lips.
August couldn't help but smile at the sight, a brief flicker of warmth in an otherwise bleak moment. "He's something else, isn't he? Hiding candies everywhere... I swear he's got a stash in every corner of this place."
Celine's smile was weak, but genuine. "Yeah, he's always up to something. Our little mischief-maker. He must resemble his sperm donor with such mischief."
Hearing that, August couldn't help but think of Sean again. If there was anyone that fits the word 'mischief', it's Sean!
Always up to something, something of no good! 'Like how he tricked me into believing he's Mason while I kept pouring out my stupid heart four years ago, hmph!'
The room fell silent again, the ticking of the clock and the soft hum of Reed's play filling the space.
Celine finally stood up, the decision made. "I'm going to the shopping mall. Maybe I can sell the broccoli, get a few dollars for it. We need to eat tonight."
August watched her, a deep sigh escaping his lips as he grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. "I'll come with you. Maybe I can find something too... anything."
As they made their way to the door, Reed's quiet voice called out, "Mama, Daddy, wait." He was holding up a piece of candy, offering it to them with a proud smile.
August crouched down, taking the candy from Reed with a gentle smile. "Thanks, buddy. We're going to need all the help we can get."
Reed beamed, his eyes bright with innocence as he watched them leave.
The door creaked shut behind them, and the soft squeak of Reed's truck filled the now-empty room, a sound that lingered long after they had gone. Now, he was all alone!
August had just stepped out of the apartment, leaving Reed sitting on the floor, humming softly to himself as he played with his toy truck.
The door creaked shut behind him when they left, but it didn't quite click all the way.
Reed's eyes darted to the door, noticing it wasn't locked like it always was. His little eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Daddy always locks the door... Daddy keeps Reed safe.."