8 Formalities

(Henry's point of view)

"You're going to be late for school!" Is the only thing I hear right before my soul leaves it's body.

"Get your bag and clothes down to have some breakfast while you're at it too!"

Eesh. Mom, please.

"Mom, have mercy!" And the next thing I know is that I'm witnessing a figure holding a wooden spoon and a spatula standing at my door.

"Henry Jonathon Laker, get out of bed this instant!"

Uh-oh.

"I'm up! I'm up!" I'm laughing and throwing both my hands in the air.

"Hey Mom, has Dad returned yet?"

"Not yet. We'll just have to be patient."

"But he hasn't been here for 6 weeks! God knows what he's even doing! We don't even know if he's 'working'."

"Henry! He told you he's working. He works so hard to keep this family surviving. We talked about this. I don't want to hear any of this talk anymore, alright?"

I groan. Why does she keep covering for him? He's lying, and we both know it.

Sure, works to keep us alive, but he was supposed to return 2 weeks ago. He said 'something came up', but it wouldn't last 2 weeks. And to add on top of that, he hasn't been returning any of our calls. He's always 'busy with work'. God knows what work.

Even when he's not on business trips, he becomes more and more distant everyday.

'Work', he says.

I go downstairs to have breakfast, and as per usual, Mahnoor is there.

"Hello my idiotic sister."

"Excuse you." At this point we're used to annoying each other all the time.

She wipes her mouth with a napkin and takes her dishes to the sink to wash them.

Since when has she washed her own dishes?

Ah, she wants something from mom.

Or she's really depressed.

Come to think of it, she didn't give back an insult.

"Hey, Mahnoor, you okay?"

"Yeah. Why'd you ask?" She replies, but she doesn't sound like herself.

And her hair isn't done up in two braids, the way she likes it.

"Look down. You're washing the dishes."

She looks down at what she's doing and her shock is obvious.

"Oh. I don't know..."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"I don't know." She looks at me as if she's been betrayed by her closest friend.

"Okay. I'll finish breakfast and walk you to school. We can talk about it while we walk."

"Okay."

I finish up my food and get up to put on my shoes.

Just then, Mom comes into the kitchen and is obviously shocked as well.

Mahnoor did the dishes.

"Alright, Mahnoor, what do you want?"

"I don't want anything, Mom!" And she rushes out of the kitchen.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to her." I try reassuring her, but she's clearly worried.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll take care of it."

"Alright."

I chase after Mahnoor and catch up to her.

"Alright. What's up?"

"I don't know."

"You can't keep saying 'I don't know'. How am I supposed to know what's wrong with you if you don't even explain?"

"I said I don't know! Can't I just be depressed for a day? Without being bugged about it?"

"Is this about Dad?"

She's silent. She's obviously hurt.

"Why doesn't he ever come back and hug us like he used to? He used to run to us and give us kisses and all... I hate him."

"Wow. Wow. Wow. Slow down. You don't hate him. I know you miss him, and so do I, and Mom, too.

I know he's not the same, and it feels like he doesn't love us as much anymore. But trust me, if he didn't, he wouldn't be working his butt off for us. And I know he misses you, just as much as you miss him."

As we keep walking I start rubbing her back. The poor thing.

"It's okay, he'll be back. And I promise you, when he comes back, I'll talk to him. Okay?"

"Okay. Thanks Henry. I didn't know my sickening brother would give such comforting words."

"Excuse you!"

"Ahaha! Hey look, there's Lola! I'll go now. Thanks!"

"Alright, bye."

Just then I see Jayce, and immediately run up to him.

"Jayce!"

"Henry? Hey, buddy! How've you been?"

"Skip the formalities dude. You know I hate them."

"Pfft, like I care. Annoying you is a blessing."

And I directly step on his foot.

"Hey! Sorry, sorry.... Drama queen."

And I step again.

"Ouch."

"Anyways, you don't have any classes today, and you're supposed to be at your part-time job. Why're you here?"

"Oh, I just dropped Lola. Kinda had a little talk with her."

"Hah, I dropped Mahnoor and had a talk with her, too. Anyways, I'll see you later. I'm gonna be late for class! Bye!"

"And I'll be late for work. Bye!"

And we both run in opposite directions.

Damnit, Dad, you really need to come back and fix things.