weather
It was a gloomy day in New York City. The clouds cast a gray, sombre shadow over the city, ruining many hopes that there might be sun today. Marvin noticed with each passing day how much his feelings depended on the weather. He found it pathetic to be so dependent on something he had no control over, yet it was like that anyway.
It was Tuesday morning. He was expected at work in about one hour, but he felt like no one would really miss him that much. He could just call in sick. No one would bat an eye. It wasn’t that people disliked him. It’s just that no one ever noticed him being there. Which was fine. He much preferred not being noticed. That made calling in sick that much easier.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed. His head was aching. There could be a million reasons for that: lack of sleep, too much sleep, staying in bed for too long, eating too little. It didn’t really matter why, he figured. It was there and it sucked.
Marvin sighed. He looked out of the window, staring to the sad excuse of a skyline blankly. The blanket he had been sleeping under was wrapped around his shoulder loosely. It could fall off with the tiniest of movements. He was wearing just his boxers. His back ached too, he noticed. He was getting old.
He blinked every once in a while. He really should get on the phone soon. But it could wait for just another minutes. He could say he slept in and forgot to set an alarm to remind him to call. Anything was possible. He didn’t care.
He heard keys jingle outside, the lock turning. Soon the door opened with a swift creak. It was accompanied by a cheerful greeting.
“I’m back!” Whizzer hummed. Marvin heard the thud of a sports bag being dropped on the floor, then the footsteps came his way. Marvin cursed. He quickly got up and rushed to the closet, hoping it would look like he had been getting ready. He did not want Whizzer to know how bad he was doing.
“There was this really annoying woman today, a real Karen, if you ask me. She kept complaining about how it was her turn to use the court- but I hire it at the same time, each morning, for an hour. I told her this and she went to- you’ll never guess- the manager, who then showed this woman the schedule and told her off in a polite way. I’ll never have the patience for that. She left, threatening to come back with her husband, who, she proudly told us, had minored in law back in college. So I can’t wait to see how that will develop,” Whizzer told Marvin as he stood in the doorway.
Marvin was trying to pick clothes, but his mind was too empty to even think of what he was supposed to be doing. He just stood quietly in front of the closet.
“Need some help, baby?” Whizzer stepped into the room and put one hand on Marvin’s hip. He looked into the closet.
“No. I’m just trying to remember the weather forecast,” he muttered in response.
“It’s humid outside. So, maybe thin pants, so you’re not too hot. And just a simple t-shirt will do. Sit down, Marv. I’ll pick something acceptable,” Whizzer said gently and kissed his head before gently moving Marvin to the bed.
Marvin sat down, not really processing what was happening. He was just happy to be on the bed again.
“That Karen sounds like a real bitch,” Marvin said after a little while of watching Whizzer picking out clothes.
“Hm. She is. Did you shower yet?”
Marvin shook his head. He sighed. “I’m not feeling so good. I’m thinking of calling in sick today.”
“Again?” Whizzer raised his eyebrows. “Baby, you haven’t been to work for three days now.”
Marvin shrugged. “I can count.”
Whizzer rubbed his forehead for a second before handing Marvin the clothes.
“Shower, get dressed, brush your teeth. Can you manage that?”
Marvin hesitated, then nodded. “Of course. I just feel a little sick.”
“Right. Come to the kitchen when you’re done.”
Whizzer left Marvin to it. He had no other choice but to listen. He went to the bathroom, showered as quickly as he could with the energy he had. He got dressed, brushed his teeth and finally made it to the kitchen. It was way passed the time he was supposed to be at work now. No one had texted him. See? He wasn’t important enough to be missed.
Whizzer was cooking up some eggs as he walked in. He sat down at the table and folded his hand together.
“Was that nice?” Whizzer asked gently.
“I guess. Yes?” he mumbled in response. He didn’t really feel the difference now that he was showered.
“Marvin…” Whizzer turned to him. His eyebrows were furrowed, concern was clear on his face.
Fuck. He hadn’t really been trying to act like he was okay, now had he? Why was he so bad at sticking to the plans he made?
“I’m fine. I’m just tired,” he said quickly.
“Have you called your father yet?”
Marvin’s guts twisted. “No. Why?”
“I think you need to call him.” Whizzer crossed his arms.
“No. That won’t be necessary, but thanks.” He shook his head.
“It is. You need to start working through whatever pain you’re feeling, because it’s slowly killing you. And I won’t let you die on my watch,” Whizzer almost sounded angry.
“I’m not in pain. I am tired, goddammit.”
“You’re not just tired. I don’t know what’s going on, but even when you’re tired, you at least have emotions.”
Marvin scoffed at that. “Shut up. I am having emotions.”
“Great. If you’re just tired, go to work then. You're very capable of that, last time I checked.”
Marvin’s jaw clenched. His eyebrows furrowed together. He stayed silent.
Whizzer sighed. He turned off the stove, and for a while Marvin didn’t hear him do much else before he suddenly heard a phone dialing in front of him. He looked up. Whizzer was calling his father. Before Marvin could stop it, Joseph had picked up.
“Joseph speaking. Who is this?”
Marvin glared up at Whizzer, but he just looked back sternly. “It’s… Marvin,” he muttered.
“Marvin…” Joseph echoed, thoughtful, before adding: “Oh, Marvin! I’m so glad you called me. Did you change your mind yet?”
Marvin moved his glare to the phone. He sighed deeply. “Yes,” he mumbled. “But without Jason. Without Trina. Just us.”
The other end of the line was silent before Marvin heard a sigh.
“Okay. I’m free this afternoon.”
“Good. Me too. I’ll text you where and when. If you’re late, I’m leaving,” he said and hung up before his father could respond.
Marvin met Whizzer’s eyes again.
“I’m mad at you,” Marvin informed Whizzer.
“I don’t care. Stay mad all you want. As long as you’re getting better, I can deal with that,” and he went back to the stove to finish Marvin’s breakfast.