It's OK not to know everything

 

Was he really that depressed? Chewy didn't feel much of anything anymore. He felt he'd never get ahead, and now he had to move into Louie's old room. How did that happen? He just went with it. Grateful, he had two friends who wanted to help him as it felt his job at the coffee place was ending. At least he could rent his grandmother's place. So he guessed things weren't as bad as he thought.

Yet, it didn't feel like home, even if all his stuff was here. It was an unorganized mess and he didn't feel like doing anything.

"Well, we could help," Sunny said right away on day one.

"I don't want you to," he snapped. He wanted to be left alone. It wasn't easy being happy for Sunny and Louie. They had it all. Each other. Honestly, Chewy wasn't sure he even had any friends anymore.

He'd rented out his place to a woman and child. He was glad he could help them out, but it felt so sad. He didn't find her in the least interesting. She was a bit ditsy. Already late for the rent. Some venture this was, but he was trying to be patient like Louie said. Everything costs more these days.

But there was still the tension in Chewy's life. How was he going to get by? Why hadn't he studied harder? Why didn't he become a nurse like he told his grandmother?  It was bringing him down, trying to put his closet in order. Just looking at old nursing textbooks made him angry or just tired. Yes, he was a nervous wreck. And still, he had to act as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Before he knew it, he found himself knocking on the door where he used to live. After all, he was just next door.

He wasn't sure what to say. Maybe he just needed to look at the old place. It was where he grew up, even if it was just him and his grandmother.

To his surprise, a guy opened the door. Immediately, Chewy found himself about to collapse with a pounding heart, but he leaned in the doorway. 

"Thought I'd see if everything was..was going OK," Chewy was straight-lipped and as cold as he could be. That woman never mentioned anything about a boyfriend. 

"Oh, I see," the guy held out his hand. Chewy wasn't sure he wanted to shake hands. "I'm Somchai, but call me Chai," he spoke in English. He was from Thailand. "I'm just the uncle."

"Uncle?" Chewy figured as much.

"Naia and I used to work in the noodle shop. My first job actually. And we've been family pretty much since. I try to help her when I can," Chai told him to come in. "Naia isn't here right now." It was just Chai and a little one running around without her diaper. 

It was a bit of a scene in the bare room. Toys scattered about and a potty chair in the corner with disposable diapers about.  It looked as if Chai had his own headache to worry about. Chewy found it kind of funny.