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When Sa to decorate his room to make it feel a bit homier We have Star Wars sheets and a coraphs from pictures I’d had on my phone and printed online at the local pharmacy, and Sam’s favorite stuffed aniot the idea There are posters of Sa on the wall, new and soft cotton pajamas, fuzzy slippers, and a cozy robe

August decided to spoil Saot him a new iPad, headphones, and a subscription to Apple music He downloaded all of Saht would be entertaining It was a touching gesture, as I’ve never been able to afford an iPad for Saer at a local craft store, a position I had to resign froas for his treatment It was fine since it’s not like it was my dream job Only a way to make money, contribute to my dad’s salary as a salesman for a wireless carrier, and try to provide a decent life for Sam

I suspect August oodto be able to afford to give Saely, I’ive to Sa I can see so far, he’s off to a great start with our kid

Pushing up from the chair, I make my way over to the s over it I’ve tried hard not to peek into it lately, but vanity supersedes

God, I look terrible

My skin is dull, my eyes sunken in, and my lips are chapped dry because I’ve been horrible at hydration I guarantee I’ve lost a few pounds because I haven’t been eating well I can’t even remember if I brushed my teeth today

I turn on the cold water, cup my hand under the strea, but it ulti to perk me up Perhaps another cup of coffee is in order Vanity hits again, so I try to at least tuck some stray hairs under my isolation cap

I sneak a furtive glance at August, recalling the wild sex we’d had ten days ago I’ about ht now, not that itere swept away by our jubilant moods

A mistake, really

There’s a knock on the door I pivot that way, expecting it to be a medical professional to check Sam’s vitals or do a blood draw

Instead, my jaw about hits the floor when I seea stuffed teddy bear His eyes are pinned on Saes to remember the IV in his ariving just a tiny indication of the joy radiating off him

“Hey, kiddo,” ust and ust is pissed he hasn’t been here While I told h in with an opinion, I know I’ve been a little distant when he calls to check on Sam While I totally understand my dad’s fears—as I had them, too, at one point—I was a little iven all we’ve learned froreat these days

Regardless, he’s here now I offer a s past the chair I’d been sitting in and over to hi “Hey, Dad”

“Hey, sweet pea,” he replies gruffly as he clasps onto me, the teddy bear squished between us “Your ol’ dad welcome here?”

“Of course,” I mumble

We hug briefly before breaking part,he doesn’t acknowledge August in any way They didn’t part on particularly good terust told as to be with Sam This was, of course, all outside of Sah to know there are bad vibes between the two When we engage in discussion about ust doesn’t seem overly interested, it’s a pretty clear indication to our son there’s sos