My Great Fortune System

Coming Home

Gray climbed the narrow staircase with bags of food weighing down both arms. His heart hammered in his chest, partly from the climb and partly from excitement. He fumbled with the doorknob, nearly dropping a bag before pushing the door open.

"Lily? You home?"

The apartment greeted him the same way it always did. The cramped living room barely had space for the sagging couch and chipped coffee table. The walls were a worn out white, and the single window stayed covered because the alley view wasn't worth seeing. The air smelled stale and musty, a smell they have gotten used to in the absence of proper heat.

But it was home. The only home he and Lily had left.

"Brother?"

Gray turned toward her voice. Lily appeared from around the corner, her messy hair sticking up awkwardly in different directions. She was ten years old and small for her age, with round cheeks and bright eyes that seemed too big for her face. The pink dress she wore used to belong to a neighbor's daughter and hung loose on her thin frame.

She stopped when she saw the bags. Her eyes went wide.

"What's all this?" She rushed over, standing on her tiptoes to peek inside. "Brother, did you win something? Why did you buy so much food?" Her voice dropped to a worried whisper. "Did you forget we're poor?"

Gray's chest tightened. She was ten years old and already afraid of spending too much money. He set the bags down and ruffled her hair, forcing a grin.

"It's alright, Lily. Don't worry. Just trust your brother, okay?"

Lily stared up at him, forehead creased with confusion. She chewed her bottom lip. "But we are poor, brother. How did you..." Her eyes went even wider. "Oh no! Did you rob someone?"

Gray flicked her forehead lightly. "Hey! What do you think I am?"

"Ouch!" Lily rubbed the spot dramatically and stuck her tongue out. "That hurt! You have such strong fingers, brother!" The mischievous glint returned to her eyes. "But really, did you rob someone? Are the police coming?"

Gray laughed. "We're already poor, Lily. I can't afford to become a criminal too. I might be desperate, but I'm not that stupid."

He pulled containers from the bags and arranged them on the tiny table. Steamed rice, fried chicken still warm, stir-fried vegetables, and even sweet red bean dessert. All the things Lily loved but they could never afford together.

Lily watched with her mouth open. "Brother, this is too much. Are you sure everything's okay? We never get this much food."

"Stop asking questions." Gray gave her a playful wink. "Just eat, or I'm taking it all back."

"No!" Lily grabbed his arm with both hands. "I'm joking, brother! I'll eat! I'll eat everything!" She dropped into her chair and reached for the chicken. "This is the best meal ever!"

Gray sat across from her, not caring that his clothes were still damp and uncomfortable. Watching Lily's face light up as she bit into the crispy chicken made every miserable moment worth it.

"Mmm!" Lily made exaggerated sounds, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk. "This is so good! Brother, you're the best!"

Gray shook his head, grinning. "Of course I am. Who else is going to feed you like this?"

Lily stuck her tongue out again. "You're definitely the best! But don't let it go to your head, okay? That's bad for you."

"Just keep eating." Gray pointed his chopsticks at her. "You're breaking my heart here."

Lily giggled and grabbed another piece of chicken, waving it like a trophy. "When I grow up, I'm going to buy you food too! I'll get you chicken just like this!"

"I'm counting on it." Gray's smile softened. "But for now, just enjoy this, alright? It's all for you."

"Yes sir!" Lily saluted with her chopsticks, nearly flinging rice across the table.

They kept eating and joking, their voices filling the small apartment with warmth it rarely had. The food was better than anything they'd eaten in months, but Lily's laughter made Gray feel like maybe things really could get better. For a few minutes, he forgot they lived in a rundown apartment where the heat barely worked and the walls were so thin they heard every argument next door.

Then Lily's laughter faded. She set down her chopsticks and looked at him with those too-big eyes.

"What's wrong?" Gray asked, though he knew what was coming.

"Brother..." Lily's voice came out small. "Are you sure everything's okay? You've been so tired lately. Like, really tired. But now you're suddenly happy and buying all this food." She picked at the table edge. "Did something happen?"

Gray's smile froze. He hadn't realized she'd noticed how exhausted he'd been. He thought he'd hidden it better, kept the worst of his struggles away from her. Apparently not.

"Of course I'm okay." He reached across and ruffled her hair again, gentler this time. "Your brother is strong, remember? Don't worry about me. I'm always going to make sure you're taken care of. You just focus on being a kid and having fun."

Lily studied his face for a long moment. Her lips pressed together in a thin line. Finally, she let out a small sigh.

"I trust you, brother. But if something bad happens, you have to tell me. Promise?"

"I promise." Gray squeezed her hand. "I'll always tell you when something's wrong. But right now, everything's good. Better than good, actually."

He leaned back, trying to lighten the mood. "Now finish your food and get some rest tonight, okay?"

Lily blinked. "Why? It's not even late yet."

Gray held up a finger and gave her his best mysterious grin. "Because tomorrow, we're going shopping. And we're not stopping until we've bought everything you want."

Lily's jaw dropped. "Everything? Really?"

"Really," he assured. The wild excitement from earlier bubbling up again. "So eat up and get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day."