Jordan slowly walked through the front door of his small caravan house which was all his father could afford since his mother left with all their money.
The choking smell of smoke wafted through his nostrils but he was used to it.
He walked quietly to the kitchen where his father was desperately trying to fan the dark gas while breaking into fits of coughs.
Jordan noticed the lid of the pot in the old rusty sink full of other dirty dishes.
Without a second thought, he grabbed it and placed it over the pot.
After a few minutes, Jordan’s father had cleared away most of the smoke and he turned to his son with a toothy grin on his greasy face.
“Hey there, kiddo.
I see you’re back from your friend’s” Jordan nodded silently before glancing at the pot.
His father noticed and wiped his hands on his shirt which was full of old stains.
“Oh, that.
It’s dinner.
I know it’s not exactly…” he turned to the pot once again then nervously scratched the back of his head “The best meal you’ve eaten.
But, I made enough to last us today and tomorrow” Jordan nervously squeezed the hem of his over sized shirt, “I-It’s fine, dad”.
Jordan wasn’t new to this.
His dad always made too much food which always comes out burnt or completely ruined, but he didn’t mind eating it.
It hurt his father that he couldn’t do more for him so he wanted him to know that he was already enough for him and was happy with him.
His father smiled down at his adorable shy son and ruffled his hair “How am I so lucky to have you?” Jordan smiled shyly and wrapped his skinny arms around his dad, which he gave in return.
Mr.
Blake is a mechanic who didn’t earn much, but the little he did earn was used to look after his only son, Jordan.
He never bothered himself with new clothes, unnecessary luxuries, or any thing he fancied.
He wanted to give Jordan everything he wanted that was affordable.
He wanted Jordan to get over the dark and messy separation of him and his wife.
She was a teacher, and their love story had started from high school, which had unfortunately faded.
Mr.
Blake had noticed that his wife was frequently dipping into the family savings to buy new things like shoes, and bags and dresses, claiming that even her students dressed better than her.
It would always cause an argument which he never liked, but everything came down to an all time low when she filed a divorce against him, claimed rights to all their money and properties and ran off with some gangster who could ‘treat her well’ as she said.
Mr.
Blake had to start from scratch, fortunately, he started keeping some cash as personal savings from the moment his ex-wife started dipping into their joint savings.
He used those to start off from somewhere, rent a mobile house in a nice neighbourhood.
He borrowed a loan from the bank which he was still owing, he used this for basic amenities and to keep himself and his son afloat.
His wife left them when Jordan was 5.
The two individuals have been living just fine on their own for 3 years.
“Any new stories today, kiddo?” Mr.
Blake quipped while the two sat on a ripped couch, a few springs popping out, old and dirt with indiscernible stains.
Jordan quietly nodded and began to tell his father of some stories Emily, his best friend had just told him.
Mr.
Blake was quite glad that his son had a friend he could lean on, and that was able to give him comfort he needed.
His son had always been the shy type till when he came to pick him up one day and saw him sitting on the swings with a girl by his side, chatting away about things he couldn’t even comprehend, he was ecstatic.
They’ve been best friends for 2 years, and he and the girl’s parents have gotten along rather well.
Very nice people.
“Oh…
I found something in their garage” Jordan muttered quietly.
“I hope you didn’t take it.
That’s wrong” Mr.
Blake said as an excuse to morally educate him.
He wanted to bring his child up humbly.
“No” Jordan whispered, picking at his food.
He stared down into his bowl which was not even close to being finished and added “It was a square toy with many colors” “Oh.
A toy?” His father asked.
Jordan nodded.
“Did you like it?” His father pressed on, willing to save up the money for it.
Jordan shook is head “No.
I don’t know what it does…” His father was silent, then said “Well, if you want it, just tell me and I’ll get it for you on your birthday” Jordan nodded again quietly, staring into his bowl of unfinished food.
He didn’t want to waste it.
His father noticed his uneasiness and took the plate from him and poured all the contents into his own before saying “You should eat more, kiddo.
You’re looking thinner than a tree branch” Jordan frowned and his father sighed, he ruffled his hair once again before returning his bowl back to him “Go put it in the sink” Jordan walked up to the sink and stared at all the empty bowls and bit his lip.
Since his mother left, things have just been looking bad for them, until he met Emily, whose parents were nice enough to spare his dad some money and look after him like he were there own son.
They were adequately rich, their father being a Cop, and their mom was a highly talented chef that owned many high-class restaurants.
He wanted to make things easier for his dad, who was trying his hardest and best.
He went out the back and fetched a bucket of water from a tap at a neighbors house.
He carried it back to his house with all the strength he could muster, being a weak boy.
He washed all the dirty plates in the sink carefully, as to not let anyone fall and break because he remembered when a plate slipped out of his dad’s hand and broke, causing a small cut that oozed out blood.
He wasn’t so tall so he grabbed a stumpy stool from the corner to work better.
He wiped his hands with a napkin because he learnt at school that it was cleaner and hygienic and his dad hated seeing his clothes get torn up or dirty.
He stepped out of the kitchen quietly and saw his dad fall asleep with his empty bowl in his hand.
He quietly carried it off his lap and washed it before going into his room to sleep for the night.