Chapter 8

This kind of calm weather does a number on someone that was under a lot of stress. I had just been preparing clothes for the next day. The weekend has finally come but my work doesn't end there. My work comes first, I need to earn more money. Before I could finally pick out a good top to hide under my hoodie, I got a text message on myphone. Usually this would mean my work schedule was going to be messed up. However, it was actually from someone!

My heart raced a bit because I don't usually have people messaging me out of the blue. As I opened up my dusty inbox, Mera's number appeared. Well guess that means it's work again.

Mera: [ Hi! I got your number and address from my dad! This is Mera by the way! So don't ignore me. Could you meet me somewhere else tomorrow? \(* o *)/ ]

Even the way she messages annoys me. Actually now that I think about it, I never told her that I had her number in the first place. I responded and in return gave me the address. I got a bit confused as to why she would want to go there in the first place.

There was another knocking on the door, I leapt up to open it. Josh was right outside again showing that everyone was already by the table.

Usually dinner time would be the time when everyone would eat together. Though that's if the parents were around. Aunt Kathy would sometimes go do some part time work by the nursery while uncle Doug would work his ass off being the manager of the Sleeping Giant.

Uncle Doug was the final member of the family that doesn't show up all too often. The only times I actually see him would be the weekends when he would take his family somewhere for the weekend or dinner on Fridays which would be now. He'd invite me along too for those trips but I'd politely decline all the time since I'd have work. He's also the nicest person I've met. To think, he gave me my own room in this small little place.

His long scruffy face always seemed to make him stand out. Despite even looking like a smoker he doesn't which makes me feel bad whenever he would see me smoke. Though he's never commented on it before. Doug's medium build made him perfect to be assertive too yet he can be quite gentle especially with his soft cool dad sounding voice. Always a young adult at heart I guess.

Doug: Ah! Mako! Haven't seen you in a while. Sorry I couldn't come home to see everyone all in one place. You must be a hard worker as per usual. It seems like we haven't had dinner together in forever.

Kathy: She's been juggling quite the amount of jobs now. It worries me sometimes if she's getting enough rest.

Doug: I'm sure she can do it! If anyone in this house can get things done when they want to it's her! Hahahaha!

Josh: Very reassuring, dad. Though I understand what he means though.

Mako: Thanks for the encouraging words everyone but you're all putting me too high of a pedestal.

Doug: Nonsense! You've been working your butt off ever since you arrived in Polarity. Even a harder worker than most of my employees

Kathy: You aren't a slouch on your studies as well, Mako. If you really wanted to, you could even get a scholarship.

Mako: That is true.

Doug: Just be sure to take a break now and then alright? Take a trip with us sometime during the weekends.

Mako: I'm sorry, I just don't want to impose on you all more than I need to. You all even moved out of your old home just for me.

Kathy: Well, we were going to move out anyway dear. So don't feel too pressured by it. Originally it was just going to be our storage room.

Josh: Though in the end, we sold everything that needed to be in it.

Doug: The place was going to collect dust anyway hahaha! Don't be so shy, Mako. It's already been years after all.

I kind of forgot that I've been with this family for so long. Though sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Part of me wants to distance myself away from them because I feel so different compared to them. They're so nice and family oriented that it solidifies as different and in return me away from them.

Their warm smiles make me feel guilty. To welcome a runaway like me in their lives, isn't easy. It's not something any family could just do. Or at least the families that I knew in my hometown. I remember being so scared of them at first. Makes for a good memory now though…

Doug: So! Our plans tomorrow will be going to the park for another family picnic! I've made sure to bring some extra ingredients from the groceries to make great boxed lunches!

Josh: Can it have something healthier this time? Last time you just wanted fried foods that it made me dizzy.

Doug: I'm surprised that kids nowadays want healthier things! When I was your age, I'd eat anything that could kill me!

Kathy: I'll be sure to pack some fruit, dear.

Doug: Well, you heard your mother. But what about you, Mako? Are you coming with us this time?

Mako: I'm sorry again. I feel more and more guilty each time you ask. I've got a client that wants me to teach English again. They pay a lot of money too.

Doug: It's alright. But you're only going to be so young for so long. When you're a fossil like me, you kind of want to have memories of you with your folks or people you want to be with.

We continued to talk about our everyday things as dinner persisted. Now this was more of a slice of life story. Just being with their family was enough for me. I wonder what would I be doing right now if I haven't met them? But that's something I didn't want to think about.

After dinner, I couldn't help thinking about Josh's family. They're so much different than the ones I've met in the sticks. Most people would have just left me alone to just die. Yet, they showed so much kindness. How could they be like this? I'll never know. I lit up another smoke as I started to sift through my schedule on my phone.

Before I could take another good look at my phone, someone was knocking at the door. It was Doug! What could he want this late in the night? He plugged up his nose which was a normal response to them going to my room at this point.

Doug: Still smoking huh?

Mako: It certainly calms my nerves. With the amount of work I have, I'd be tearing my perfect hair apart if I wasn't. What brings you to my room late into the hour?

Doug: Maybe some incite? It's a bit embarrassing to say this especially coming from people who aren't your actual family.

Mako: What is it?

This was something a bit new. I've never seen Doug look a bit embarrassed, though there was a tone in his voice that made him sound serious. Normally, people don't take him too seriously with his easy going attitude but this time it felt like I should. He scratched his head while thinking of the right words to say to me.

Doug: Well… Do you think I'm a good dad?

Mako: Huh!?

Doug: Don't take it the wrong way or anything. I just think that… I'm having a hard time still trying to figure out this whole parent thing. And I feel like if I ask someone who knows how to be frank. It'll give me an idea on what to do.

Mako: This is a bit sudden.

Doug: I guess you could say that. It's just I've been thinking about a lot of stuff lately while in the office. An employee was talking about how the company was going to throw a father and son or daughter bonding day soon.

Mako: Clearly something about you and Josh then.

Doug: Yeah, it made me think how much do I actually know about my son. Sometimes I think he's hiding something from me that he really wants to show but I'm just never there or in the right place to bring it up.

Mako: Well, you're certainly not the best dad in the world because no one is. Nor are you the worst parent in the world. But what I do know, is that you're certainly a good one.

Doug: That sounds reassuring.

Mako: If you want to connect with your son then you should be talking to him right now rather than some stranger. I think you should invite him along to that father and son picnic. Just the two of you. I'm sure it would be something he'd cherish someday. It'll be perfect. Josh loves you two, don't misunderstand anything.

Doug: I appreciate those words but there's something wrong there.

Mako: What is it?

Doug: You're not a stranger to us, Mako. I know that you want to distance yourself from us. Everyone of us can tell from a glance. We are your guardians after all. It would be pretty irresponsible for us to just leave you alone.

Mako: It's just…

Doug: I know it's a bit weird admittedly when it first happened. But I just want you to know that everyone here thinks you're family.

Mako: …

Doug: It's okay if you don't feel that way. I understand, maybe someday you'll open up to us the same way we're opening up to you. We're not expecting anything in return but be a good person. We'll always be here for you, Mako. I already see you as my own daughter. Well, thanks for listening to this old coot talk about old man stuff. Goodnight. Thanks again for the talk.

He patted me on the shoulder goodnight then took my cigarette from my mouth. As he closed the door, a nice cold gust of wind came to the window. Guess he really does hate it when I smoke. Part of me wanted to give my purer thoughts on the matter but I held back. I'm still scared to open up. Maybe someday…

In the end, I'm not changing even a tiny bit.