Unexpected

Part 20: Making Time

"I mean more than just this one mean." He says as he bite a piece of sesame chicken.

"I have been."

"No- you haven't. You've lost what little weight you had. I can see it in you face and feel it when I hold you." He states as he eats.

She has been missing meals since Max got shot. She's just been so busy between him and the kids- the hospital- that she hasn't forced herself to actually eat.

"I...I've just been side tracked..." He sets his fork down and looks at her as he chews. Normally Max would let it go. It's none of his concern, but it is. He looked at her when she came in the last few days and he can see that her clothes are hanging different on her body and she is more tired than normal. After a few years of knowing her, he can tell her body is changing without having to over analyze it.

"Okay, well- tomorrow you're taking the day off."

"Ha, I'm not taking the day off because I lost a pound or two." Scoffing, she bites down on a baby corn.

"Maybe not because of that- but you do you need to actually go home and rest and take a break." Rolling her eyes, she pokes a broccoli floret and bites it. "I don't say it to upset you, Helen. I just...I just don't want you to be malnourished and tired- it's a quick slippery slope and you're already half way down it."

"You act like I'm an anorexic teenager." She bites slightly with a scowl and his eyes soften slightly. "It's like you don't trust that I can take care of myself."

"I didn't say that- Helen. I know you are a very strong, independent woman- who doesn't need anyone- but I'm just voicing my concern."

"There's nothing to be concerned about."

"Daphne..." He turns his attention the child- who looks at him nervously. "How many time since you've been here has your Aunt eaten? You've been here about four weeks now? How many times do you think?"

Daphne looks at her plate and then at Aunt Helen- who doesn't seem amused in the slightest.

"I...I don't know- maybe like...um...eight times. Mostly a yogurt or maybe a hard egg." Helen glares s at the child before fuming her direction back to her plate. The bit of rice and two or three vegetables have already filled her up and she still hasn't touched her chicken.

"Really." He growls and looks at Helen. "I know you didn't eat breakfast or dinner that night she went missing. Helen, you need to eat."

"This is bullshit." She stands up, wiping her face with the napkin and then tosses it down onto the table before walking into the bathroom and slamming the door behind her.

He's making it a thing.

It's not a thing.

This is not a concern.

It's just a...an unimportant mishap that keeps happening.

Her stomach gargles heavily and she feels sick to her stomach. What she ate was too much for her. It's not that she's not eating on purpose.

She just simply doesn't have the time nor concern.

There are more important things at the moment for her to focus on.

She's been doing this since the pandemic.

No one has time to eat during a pandemic.

No one has time to eat when you're taking care of a child and the man who took a bullet for you.

Knock knock knock

"Helen...can I come in? Please?" He says softly through the door. Her stomach gargles again and she squeezes her eyes shut.