Emma sat at his small desk in the classroom, focusing on himself and his drawings. He was no longer phased by the fact he had no friends in school, he was happy staying quiet to himself and drawing. Emma looks at his crude drawing of a Baker with brown fur.
"Dad is so cool…" Emma draws on a superhero cape to the best of his abilities. Sticking out his tongue in focus. Suddenly, he feels a presence beside him. Emma gulping and looking up to see a kid his age, a transfer student from another school. The kid smiled.
"Hi, my name's Jujiavino Alexander… You can call me Xander… I don't know why my parents gave me such a complicated name… I've been bullied so much for it…" Xander laughs. "What's your name?" Emma looks through his long blonde hair.
"Emma… my name's Emma… nice to meet you… Xander"
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The small home was quieter than usual, with the only sound being the faint hum of the refrigerator. Alex sat at the dining table, a stack of bills and paperwork spread out in front of him. The financial strain of raising Emma, coupled with the recent medical expenses and everyday costs, had started to weigh heavily on him. He rubbed his temples, feeling the familiar throb of stress that had become almost a constant companion.
He glanced at the pile of unpaid bills, the reminders of overdue payments, and the medical statements detailing the remaining balance for Emma's surgery. Each document seemed to mock his efforts, adding to the mounting pressure he felt. The numbers didn't add up, and the thought of how to cover the next month's expenses loomed over him like a dark cloud.
"I need a moment… ugh…" Alex stood up and paced the room, his mind racing through possible solutions. He had taken on extra work, cut back on expenses, and even sought out community assistance, but it still didn't seem to be enough. He felt a pang of frustration and helplessness, knowing that no matter how hard he worked, it never seemed to be quite enough to meet their needs.
His phone buzzed on the table, interrupting his thoughts. It was Sarah, checking in. Alex picked it up, hoping that a conversation with his friend might provide some solace.
"Hey, Sarah," Alex said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Hey, Alex. How's everything going? How's Emma?" Sarah asked, her tone filled with genuine concern.
"Emma's doing better, thankfully," Alex replied, his voice carrying a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"But things are still tough. I'm really struggling to manage everything—financially, emotionally... It feels like I'm hitting a wall." Sarah was silent for a moment, likely processing what Alex had shared.
"I'm so sorry you're going through this. Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe there are local resources or support groups that could offer assistance." Alex sighed.
"I've looked into some resources, but they don't seem to cover everything we need. I just don't know where else to turn."
"Sometimes, it's helpful to talk to someone who specializes in financial planning for families in situations like yours. They might be able to offer some advice or resources that you haven't considered." Alex nodded, even though Sarah couldn't see him.
"That's a good idea. I'll look into it. Thanks for being here, Sarah. I don't know what I'd do without your support."
"Anytime, Alex. You're doing an amazing job. Just remember, you're not alone in this. If you need someone to talk to or any help with Emma, I'm here for you." As Sarah hung up, Alex felt a slight sense of relief. He knew he still had a long road ahead, but the conversation had reminded him that there were still options and people willing to help. He resolved to seek out a financial advisor and explore any additional support systems that might be available. Suddenly, His phone rings again. He looks at the number and it's his mom.
"Mom's calling…!?" memories of the childhood abuse, mistreatment, anger, fights, and the scent of cigarettes fill Alex's mind, debating if he wants to answer the call or not.
"I… I…" The phone vibrated in Alex's hand, his mother's name flashing on the screen. He froze, the memories flooding back with a force that made him catch his breath—nights filled with shouting, the sting of harsh words, the suffocating smell of cigarettes that clung to the walls of their small home.
"I just… I don't think-" His thumb hovered over the screen. The urge to let it go to voicemail was strong, but a nagging feeling tugged at him. He hadn't spoken to her in years, and a million questions rushed through his mind. Why is she calling now? What does she want?
The phone buzzed again, breaking his trance. He bit the inside of his cheek, feeling his pulse quicken. This wasn't the time for her to come back into his life—not when everything already felt like it was unraveling. He thought of Emma, who had no idea about the kind of childhood Alex had endured. How could he reconcile those memories with the kind of father he was trying to be?
"I can't, Mom… I'm sorry… maybe when I'm more stable…" With a deep, steadying breath, Alex declined the call. His heart pounded as he watched the screen return to its idle state, the room falling back into that eerie quiet. But the questions lingered in the air, gnawing at him.
"Should I have answered?" He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room again, trying to shake off the emotional weight that had come crashing down on him. He glanced at the pile of bills on the table—bills that didn't magically disappear no matter how many times he looked away. And now, the past was trying to intrude on the present, reopening wounds he had fought so hard to close.
But he couldn't deal with it now. Not yet. Emma needed him more than ever, and right now, that was all that mattered. He'd figure the rest out later.
"Let's get this over with…" With renewed determination, Alex turned his attention back to the pile of paperwork. He began sorting through it, focusing on small, manageable tasks. He knew that the journey would be challenging, but he was committed to finding a way through it, for Emma's sake and his own.