02.17.03 - 11:19 pm

he can smell food cooking in the kitchen. a pot sits boiling over the stove, steam twisting above it. it smells good, whatever it is. he walks past the kitchen, into the family room. her back is to him. he carefully slides his cold hands around her waist, his fingers following the warm curve of her stomach. she smiles, but doesnt turn, instead cocking her head slightly, so he can rub his cheek up her neck. he kisses under her jaw line, over her ear and through to her lips, waiting patiently. he tightens his grip around her waist, and her hands caress over his shoulders.

"i love you," he whispers smiling, his lips still touching hers. she responds by gently pressing herself against his lips, and holding their lips there for a moment longer.

he releases her, swiftly glides by her with his hands trailing behind him. he enters the room illuminated with the soft noises of a child. he can smell his child, and hear its soft whimpers as he enters and peers over the edge of its crib. his child pauses, and shifts his soft blue eyes into a grin.

"hey big guy, whatcha doin'?" he says quietly. the baby responds with a wider smile, hidden behind the large toy hes sucking on. he traces his index finger down the middle of his childs forehead, down his little knob of a nose, across the soft little lips and off the tiny chin. he himself is having a hard time not smiling. he feels as warm as the room. he whispers his goodbye and heads back to the kitchen.

she says to him, "i need to get some more formula for the baby, and i dont get paid for another few days, can you run down to the store tonight?"

"i dont get paid until this friday, i dont have any money left. i thought we had enough food?" he responds, looking into his empty fridge.

"i spent all the money i had on gas and food for us two days ago. i thought you would have some."

his face changes. his heart sinks. he doesnt have any money, just a few pennies hes been saving up. all the quarters and dimes and even the nickels have all been filtered out and spent on necessities.

"theres no food for him at all?"

"no" she says, her eyes reflecting the worry hes showing in his.