Lean On Me

Chapter Three
 

LATER THAT DAY

Justin and his siblings walked into their apartment at five that evening. Justin was exhausted but he loved spending time with his brothers and sisters. After laying Timothy down for a nap, Justin walked into the living room and found Robyn, Jessica and Brandon trying to get a channel in. They couldn't afford cable, so they had an antenna, but it didn't want to work sometimes.

"Jus, this thing won't work!" exclaimed Jessica.

"Not too loud, Jess. Timmy's sleeping," said Justin. He walked over to the television set and started fiddling around with the antenna. After twenty minutes, he sighed and gave up.

"I'm sorry, guys," he told his three disappointed siblings. How about we watch a movie, instead?"

"Vegas Vacation?" piped up Brandon.

"I was thinking more along the lines of Yellow Submarine..."

"Aww, c'mon, Justin. We've watched that a hundred times!" whined Robyn.

Justin laughed and said, "We've watched Vegas Vacation a hundred and two times!" Robyn, Jessica and Brandon loved Chevy Chase and would watch Vegas Vacation anytime they could.

The three younger kids gave Justin three versions of a sad-puppy face and he shook his head with fondness. "Okay," he gave in. "Jessica, put in the movie and I'll go pop us some popcorn."

Justin opened the one cabinet they had in the apartment and saw only a popcorn box. Taking out the box, he reached inside and snagged the last bag of popcorn. Sighing, he placed the popcorn bag into the microwave. While the popcorn was popping, he opened the refrigerator and did a survey of the contents. Grabbing a small sheet of paper, he quickly wrote down the essentials they would need. When he was done, he stuck the piece of paper in his pants pocket just as the microwave let out a little 'ding'.

After the four siblings were situated on the couch with drinks and the popcorn, Justin started the movie. The four had fun watching the movie, and saying the lines along with the actors and actresses. At eight-thirty, Justin fed Timothy a bottle and a jar of baby food. After burping him, changing his diaper and getting him into his tiny pajamas, Justin laid him back down. Timothy was out like a light. After feeding Robyn, Jessica and Brandon the last of the bread and bologna they had, he had them all brush their teeth and get ready for bed. Afterwards, he read them all a bedtime story and tucked them in.

Before shutting off the light in the room that the two girls shared, he quietly spoke to Jessica. "Now, remember, Jessie, I'll be gone for a while tonight. I probably won't be home until real late. If you need me, call my cell phone. The number's beside the phone. If something happens, dial 911. Got it?"

Jessica nodded. "I wish you didn't have to go."

"I know. Me, too. Watch the others, okay?" Jessica nodded.

Justin gave her a kiss on her forehead and said, "I love you."

"I love you, too," she whispered before falling asleep.

Justin quickly changed into a pair of tight white pants and a see-through, black, mesh shirt, then grabbed his jacket and his cell phone. His cell phone and the house phone were two bills he made sure were always paid on time. Just in case something were to happen. As he walked out of the door, locking it behind him, he cursed his mother and Dave. This was all their fault.

He hated leaving his brothers and sisters alone. They didn't live in the worst neighborhood, but it was definitely not the best. But he had to work. He needed money to pay the bills and feed his siblings.

With a weary sigh, he saw his corner come into view. In a few minutes, he would be known as Sunshine to whomever picked him up.

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