“Gracias, Mama.” His mom only smiled and kissed the top of his head. Gabriel was famished, and ate every bite on the plate in front of him in record speed, handing Rio tiny pieces as he went. Even though his son still had food in front of him, Rio always wanted to try what everyone else had.
Gabriel’s mother lifted Rio from his high chair. “I’m going to wash him for you. His bag is already packed.”
Gabriel thanked his mom as she carried Rio to the bathroom, and put his plate in the sink. He grabbed his brother’s empty plates, too, and washed them along with a handful of cups. Gabriel tried to help whenever he could. He might not live at home anymore, but his mother watched her grandson for free, and his parents had always been more than supportive of him. Gabriel’s family never had a lot of money growing up, but love was one thing they’d had in abundance.
Soon, Gabriel’s mom returned with Rio. Grabbing his son, he said his goodbyes, ready to get home. Before he left, Gabriel’s mom handed him a big plastic container filled with tamales. “There’s enough for Jay in there, too, mijo. He’s too skinny. Make sure he eats.”
Gabriel laughed. “Gracias, Mama. I will.” She patted his cheek and smiled before turning back to her last pot of tamales today. They took half a day to make, so for her to make two batches meant she’d been up early and would go to sleep late.
On the drive home, Rio babbled in the backseat. He kicked his stubby legs and laughed at the world flying past him. Rio was always such a happy baby. A fat one, too. Gabriel was certain his mother had a lot to do with that. She believed babies needed to be fat or they were unhealthy.
Once home, Gabriel couldn’t rest. Being a single dad was tough because there was no help anymore. The last six months since Marissa left had been a learning experience. He was beyond grateful for Jay, who watched Rio while Gabriel showered and helped entertain him. Jay was the best godfather Rio could have.
Still, by the time Gabriel had showered, cleaned up, played with Rio, got him ready for bed, and got him to sleep, he was beyond exhausted. Gabriel collapsed into bed and was asleep as soon as he closed his eyes. He’d have to do it all over again tomorrow.
Chapter 3
She’d spent two more nights at her parent’s house, but today Savannah had the keys to her new place. She didn’t hesitate to move in, either. While her brother was at work, Savannah cleaned. It didn’t take long to dust, do the floors, and wipe out cabinets.
When Jay got off work, he helped Savannah load her items into his truck and haul them to the new place. Savannah wished her parents hadn’t looked so happy she found a place so quickly, but it was no secret they’d never quite approved of their youngest child.
Savannah and Jay each carried a box into the living area. “This is the last of it.”
Savannah wiped a line of sweat from her brow. There was no air conditioning yet, which had been one big downside. But, it would be easy to remedy. Savannah would run down to the Wal Mart and get a window unit when they were done. Air conditioning was a necessity in the humid Florida heat. “Jay, I know you’re tired, but do you think you could help me put the bed frame together real quick before you leave?”
Jay nodded, making his black curls bounce. If it weren’t for his hair being black instead of red, Jay could have been her twin. Well, Jay was also a few inches taller, but it wasn’t enough to make a huge difference. “Yeah, we’ll get that thrown together and then I’ve got to get home.” He smiled. “It’s a short drive, though. I’m glad you’re close, and I’m proud you got your own place. Parents like ours are pretty good motivation to become independent, eh?”
Savannah laughed. The sound was tinted with bitterness. “Yeah, that’s an understatement.”
Jay helped his sister put the bed frame together. It took ten minutes and Savannah was left alone in her home for the first time. She took a slow walk through the tiny rooms and considered what she would need.
The futon had been set up in the living area, as had the desk. The other furniture was in the bedroom. Savannah looked at the ten large boxes – about as big as the kind kid’s power wheels came in – sitting against the wall. Those were all her belongings in the world.
Knowing Wal Mart was open 24/7, Savannah decided to open the home’s few windows and finish unpacking before she went. It would only take a few hours, and that way, Savannah would know what else she might need. After turning on the electric, Savannah’s savings were under $2,500, but she could spare a little. The internet was getting turned on tomorrow, and she could start working again.
Each box was labeled. Savannah unpacked two in the kitchen that held two pots, a pan, utensils, cups, and dishes for four people. There were a few kitchen rags and potholders, too. A third box went into the bathroom. A few towels, personal items, and toilet paper leftover from college were unpacked.
Two boxes of clothes were split between the four-drawer dresser and bedroom closet. The bed was made from linens filling one box, and another box of linens was set into the tiny closet beside her door. Savannah hung the curtains matching her bed set in the windows of her bedroom.
Another box held pillows, and the last few held personal belongings. It took less than two hours to unpack everything and find a place for it. Finished, Savannah took another good look around.
Besides the air conditioning unit, Savannah decided she most definitely needed food. She also needed a drain for when she dried dishes, a coffee pot (an absolute necessity), and privacy curtains for the living room. A rug or runner for the front door would help stop dirt being tracked in, too. Eventually, Savannah would need a table. Maybe she would look around to see what was on sale. Thinking, Savannah decided anything under $200 for a table would be okay.
Sighing, she climbed into her old black car and started towards the Wal Mart Super Center on the outskirts of town. Savannah rarely used her car if it wasn’t necessary, preferring to walk. The old car ran, but Savannah had a feeling it was reaching its last leg. The shudders, shakes, and spurts it did only verified her belief. She’d need to replace this thing at some point, too.
Savannah’s trip to the store was uneventful. Since it was so late, there were only a few people inside the store and a line of pick-up trucks in the parking lot. With nothing else to do in the area, the local teenagers usually parked there to hang out. Savannah remembered joining her brother and Gabriel in the parking lot on several occasions.
Savannah had come at the perfect time, too, because the store was having a big sale on home items. Even the air conditioning unit was on sale. Besides the necessary items, Savannah took her time and shopped around. She managed to get an area rug for the living room, a bathroom rug set, a front door mat, living room curtains, and a small table. Along with a week’s worth of food, air conditioner, and coffee pot, Savannah walked out of the store $700 poorer.
Savannah usually fretted over spending so much money, but thought she did well. Besides, it was the little things that would help make her new house feel like a home. Savannah could admit (to herself, at least) she was nervous about living alone for the first time. In college, she’d shared a two-bedroom apartment with three other girls. Before that, she’d lived at home.
It was the middle of the night when she returned home, and Savannah couldn’t help being a little freaked out. To put her mind at ease, Savannah started putting together her purchases.