Alone With Them

Chapter 3

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Her mother was up and making breakfast even though it wasn't even six in the morning yet. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a bun.

"Good morning, Cat," her mom said, her back to the hallway. She must've heard Cathryn's loud footsteps as she made her way to the dining table.

"Good morning, Mom. Why are you up so early?" Cathryn said, trying to hide an oncoming yawn. She had yet to tell her mother about the nightmares. They'd only started about a month ago, so they were bound to go away soon. There was no need to worry her anymore than she already did.

"I have to be to work by seven, honey."

"But I thought you didn't have to work 'til Wednesday?"

"It is Wednesday."

"Oh," Cathryn mumbled. She must've been even more tired than she thought. Neither of them spoke and the awkward silence was filled by the sound of the waffle maker sizzling. Her mom worked two jobs at the moment. She was a waitress and janitor at a crappy fast food place called B.A.'s Burgers and Fries, and most of her free time after work was spent at Uncle Brandon's animal shelter. They were short-staffed at the moment and Mom didn't get much money from it, but she'd do anything to help family. However, it was affecting her health and the time she had to spend with other members of her family, like Cathryn.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Mom finally spoke. Cathryn nodded.

"Yeah." She decided that was enough detail.

"That's good."

Silence once again filled the room; silence that was only broken when Cathryn's stomach growled. Her mom chuckled, setting a huge plate stacked with crisp waffles down in the center of the table. Cathryn's mouth watered, and she was about to reach for one when her mom said, "Go wake up Chancellor."

"Okay, okay." Cathryn walked down the only other hallway, past her mom's room, to the guest room Chancellor was staying in. Well, they called it the guest room, but it was really supposed to be an office. Uncle Brandon and Cathryn's mom took turns caring for Chancellor because his dad, Uncle Wayne, wasn't able to at the moment. Eventually, he'd be able to get out of therapy and take care of his son, but until then, Chancellor would switch between living with his uncle and her mom every two months. Cathryn rapped softly on the closed door.

"Chancellor? Chance, it's time for breakfast." Slowly, she cracked the door open and saw Chancellor laying part way off a twin sized mattress, which was sitting on the floor in a corner of the dark, humid room. His brown hair was lopsided and his breathing was even. "Chance, buddy, you have to wake up," Cathryn whispered as she crossed the mostly empty room to his bed. She gently shook his sleeping form until he groaned.

"No," the four year old complained. "Nooo..."

"Come on, don't you want waffles?" Chancellor sat up a little and nodded his head, his sleepy eyes unfocussed. He yawned before slowly sliding completely off the mattress. Cathryn's stomach was too impatient and she hoisted his small form over her shoulder.

"Hey!" he squealed, kicking and flailing. She managed to tickle his feet and he burst into giggles. "Let go!" She ignored his request and carried him into the kitchen. It was only when they were next to the dining table that she set him gently on the ground. Chancellor playfully stuck his tongue out at her and she tickled him once more, just for good measure. When her mom made her way over to the table, they both sat down with her.

"Good morning, Chancellor. How'd you sleep?" Mom asked. Chancellor only smiled and nodded as he reached for a waffle. "Chancellor, I asked you a question. How did you sleep?"