Chapter 9

Elliot had a routine that he had grown accustomed to. He didn't need to wait too much to get used to it. He adapted pretty quickly. He would get up in the morning after maybe six hours of sleep. He would get ready and that would take quite the time because no one would take him seriously if he looked like a zombie. Impression mattered and he had to look his best. Luckily he had the perfect remedy for the eye bags and it wasn't makeup.

When he was done in the bathroom he would get dressed and then look through his emails and text messages to see what was new. Seemed like he would have to put in more hours on the weekend. There went his sleep. Maybe getting a day off for medical reasons then he would be able to catch up all the sleep he had missed out on. For months.

He stood in front of the mirror and buttoned his shirt. He opened his drawer to get a tie clip and then he saw it. The envelope that had ruined his day off. He never brought it up and he was sure that he was never going to do it. They didn't need to argue during this time. Matt already had a lot that he was going through and he didn't need more stress.

He took it out and opened it flipping through the notes. He didn't get how this was possible. Just from editing. Was it that easy to get a job to become an editor without any experience? No he should stop thinking about his own son like that. He had to give him credit. He was a smart boy, but he still couldn't help being suspicious. How much work had he done just to get this? That was why with these trying times he had to work and provide for him so he wouldn't have to.

Imagine pushing your child to grow up early because you couldn't settle your issues with your wife. He would not mess his child up.

He didn't want him to sit hunched over a device just to help him. He had this covered. He could do this for him, but with Matt it was still the same argument that they had been having for a long time. They had been arguing way before Matt came along. He had tried telling him that he wasn't the problem, but Matthew never seemed to believe him. He had considered therapy but he never got to it. Matt didn't have a problem.

They were the ones with the problem. He and Helen. Matt just wanted to put all that on his shoulders for some reason. Speaking of Helen she had texted him.

'Matthew isn't talking to me'.

'He's been busy with school'.

'Or you're telling him not to talk to me'.

'Why would I do that?' he didn't have time to get into it this morning.

'You're a petty man. Imagine turning my own son against me'.

'Now he's your son?' he would have given her the dumbest look if she was here.

'Yes he was and he still is. Maybe I should come down there myself and see what's happening. You know he will tell me everything'.

'Be my guest' and he turned his phone off dropping it on his bed as he stood up to look for his shoes.

The envelope was still there. He picked it up and put it in the drawer. He would have to make a trip to the bank. Add it to his college fund. It was his money and he wouldn't spend any of it. He would have to do that later. Put it in his reminder.

He put his jacket on and looked at himself one last time. He needed his normal dose of coffee and the ice for the bags under his eyes. He got his bag and made his way down the stairs. He was sure Matt was still sleeping, or maybe he was getting ready. He would be down soon.

He dropped his bag on the chair and made his way to the coffeemaker. He opened the fridge and saw some bagels. Matt would love some and he wanted some too. Just as he did that there was a knock on the door.

Who was at the door at this hour? It was just eight. He put them in the toaster and poured his beverage in a mug so it would start cooling. He walked to the door and looking through the peephole it was a delivery person. He didn't remember making any orders.

He opened the door and the man had a small package.

"Morning" he greeted.

"Pay and sign here" he was holding the clipboard and the package towards him.

"Pay and sign?" he repeated.

"Yeah. That's how it works" the man replied smartly. "You should know this. This isn't the first delivery".

"Oh God. Matthew!" he yelled. "How much?"

He could hear him running down the stairs. "Dad!" he yelled alarmed.

"Your delivery" he had already paid for it and had taken the package. "Thank you" he said as he closed the door.

Matthew was looking at him with wide eyes. Trepidation on his face as he looked at him then back to the package he was holding. "Something wrong Matt?"

"No" he shook his head vigorously. He was scared that he was going to hurt his neck. "Sorry for the trouble. I'll pay you back" he held his hand out for the package. He looked really eager to want the package from his hands. This was quite suspicious.

He gave him the package. "What did you order?" he smiled sort of curious. "The man said this isn't the first time. You've been spending on yourself" he said playfully. "Tell me what you've been ordering. I won't judge…unless it's something I should be worried about".

"It's nothing to worry about dad" he assured him. "It's just socks".

"Huh? You ordered instead of just going to the mall? Just for socks?"

"These glow" he said unsure.

"Are you asking or telling me?" he was using his interrogative parent voice.

"It's just socks dad. What? You don't believe me?" it was time for him to play the guilt card.

"Don't turn this around on me Matt" he was annoyed. First Helen and now Matt was being all suspicious.

"It's just deliveries dad. Do you want to see them?" he held the package out. "What is this about anyway? You're still like this because of that day in the restaurant. You were so weird about it. Tell me what you're thinking dad?!"

"I am not thinking anything!" he snapped.

"Yes you are. Do you think I'm doing something suspicious just because I have a job now? Just because I've been ordering online?!" he frowned.

"Why is it anytime we try to talk we argue Matt?"

"It's not my fault dad. You're the one suspicious of me when all I'm trying to do is help you".

"You don't need to help me Matt. The money, these deliveries and your records just to see if you had any allergies? You're making me worry".

"I just ordered socks. I wanted to help you because you're just tired and stressed all day, just to share the weight. And how you're supporting me by criticizing me. Thank you so much dad" he scoffed, turning to go to his room.

"Matt" Elliot called.

"I'm going to be late for school" and he took the box squeezing it tight. He didn't want to blow up at his dad like that, but it had to be done. It was the only way he could divert. If his dad had called his bluff and had looked inside he would have dropped down. The important thing now was that dad thought that he was acting out because of everything that was happening and he had to go with that.

No one could find out what he was doing. A strained relationship now was better a ruined relationship throughout later on. So constantly pushing his dad away and arguing with him would be a small sacrifice to pay. He pushed the package under his bed. He would take care of this later.

Now it was time for school. He got his bag and made his way downstairs. Dad was drinking his coffee. He didn't want to say anything before he left to show he was still angry to cement it.

"You're not going to say bye?" Elliot spoke as he walked to the door.

"Will you think there's something behind it?" he looked over his shoulder.

"Okay I admit that I'm just overthinking things. I talked to your mum this morning, I'm having a bad day and I'm sort for taking it out on you".

Of course it was his dad that would make him feel like the scum of the earth.

"I appreciate you trying to help me" he smiled.

"I guess I sort of overreacted" he said petulant.

"I accept your apology too. Have a bagel before you go".

"Awesome!" he grinned as he skipped to the toaster. "Thanks dad".

As he chewed with his back to his dad, he was happy that the man couldn't see his expression. It tasted like shit in his mouth. Now he knew what guilt tasted like.