Too Nice

III. The News

"Come to bed. I miss you," Patrick breathed against Amari's neck.

"Almost done. Just a few more sentences and I'll go," Amari replied. She stifled a laugh as Patrick's breath tickled her. She wanted nothing more than to just lie down with her boyfriend and cuddle. The work today had been brutal. William took all her pens so she had to run to the nearest Walmart to get more, Kyle accidentally spilled coffee on all of her paperwork so she had to retype it all and her boss yelled at her for turning them in 5 minutes late. Today was not Amari's day, but to her it was just like yesterday. Same old same old.

"Amari. You're not listening to me. You're freezing baby." Amari once again snapped out of her trance. She'd been doing that a lot lately and didn't know why.

"Sorry Pat. I'm just tired I guess. I think I need a hot bath-"

"Stand up. Now." Patrick commanded. With shaky legs Amari stood up from the kitchen table and pushed her chair in. Patrick immediately started to examine her. He grabbed each of her bony arms and traced old scratches and dark marks from her childhood. He then lifted up the front of her shirt and swore at what he saw. Her stomach was starting to cave in as her ribs practically taunted him. He had enough.

"I'm so sorry," Patrick mumbled quietly. He disappeared down the hall leaving Amari alone with her thoughts once more. Why was he sorry? He did nothing wrong. All he has ever done was care for her. It was her that needed to change. Just as she zoned out again she felt herself being scooped up and carried.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Patrick whispered quietly over and over. When he reached the bathroom he gently stripped her of clothes and placed her in the hot steaming water. The water felt heavenly on Amari's muscles.

"I'm going to get a job and take care of you. I want to do something before you go." Patrick mumbled as he sat on the side of the tub and ran the wash cloth down Amari's arms.

Amari gave Patrick a confused look. "What do you mean before I go?"

"...You're dying. Right?"

What the hell?

"No? I mean I don't think I-"

"Thank God! Woo! Girl you scared the shit outta me! I'm over here thinking you on your last breath when yo' ass is just skinny as hell. You was thick last month. I guess you just change as you get older." Patrick laughed as he stood up and walked out the bathroom. What was all that about? He basically just stripped her and threw her in the tub because he thought she was going to die... It didn't make any since at all but whatever. Amari still loved him.
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"Amari get me my coffee. Ive been awfully tired lately," Amari's boss sighed. Robert Walker was his name. Kinda odd when you manage a car dealership.

"Yes sir."

Amari grabbed his favorite cup and poured his coffee. Straight black. It was the only way Robert would drink his coffee. He once threatened to fire Amari for adding cream and sugar.

"Come here, Amari. I want you to have a donut. You've been working hard so think of this as a reward." Robert smiled. A shocked look appeared on the young woman's face. Robert Never shared his donuts, especially with Amari.

"Thank you, sir."

Amari carefully looked over the chocolate glazed doughnuts. They all looked delicious. With a shaky hand she grabbed the one closest to her. She took a large bite and instantly regretted it. Whatever filled her mouth was definitely NOT edible.

"What's wrong? Don't like it?" Robert laughed. His usual pale face turned bright red with laughter. Amari's suffering caused him to laugh like a little school girl.

Amari quickly ran to the nearest trash can and spit out the thick blue shaving cream. The taste was putrid. Expecting a chocolate taste made it even worse.

"I got you good! Now go and make some more sells! Kyle is starting to get ahead of you." Robert chuckled. "You might not have a job if he passes you again."

What was she supposed to say to that? She couldn't really couldn't do anything but smile and keep her head high. It was just a basic work day and going to work always made her happy.

"I'll work harder then, sir."
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"Did you know that 1 in 3 cows are milked to death? That's why I'm vegan now," Tyson rambled. Tyson was Amari friend from high school. Every now and then they would have lunch together (which Tyson made Amari pay for) and catch up.

"Also I read an article that popped up on my Facebook saying that all meat causes cancer. If I were you I would put that fork down and order a salad to go."

Tyson was... interesting. He changed who he was. A lot. Just last week he was an atheist who supported LGBT. The week before that he was an eco warrior who wished death on all human life. Now he's a homosexual Buddhist vegan. Tyson was very interesting.

"I don't think that-"

"Oh so now you're Miss know it all?" Tyson interrupted. "Last time I checked, I was that one who studied at the Culinary Arts school of West Michigan."

Lies

"Oh. Um. I'm sorry. I'll just stick with cars," Amari chuckled.

"Mmm. You better."

Tyson continued to ramble on with his crazy internet learned facts until a loud but familiar sound emitted from Amari's pocket. Her eyes widened when she saw a name she hadn't heard from in a while flashed across her screen.

"Mom?"

Amari's mother never answered her own daughter's calls. Seeing her mother actually call her was an absolute shock. Maybe it was a complete accident. Amari quickly swiped the screen.

"Hello?"

"Oh Amari... My poor baby." Amari's mother started. " Your Grandmother. S-She's dead."