Guilt weighed heavy in his heart. Guilt and shame. Ashamed because he didn't get the promotion and guilty that he won't be able to lessen the stacking bills on the kitchen counter. The fact that Sarah saw them every now and then made the feeling worsen. She was his little girl. He wanted to keep her in a little fantasy for as long as he possibly could. And without that promotion, that was just going to get harder.

He stood there for a few seconds, staring at the wooden front door. He didn't really want to go in. Everything in his body was telling him to turn away. Praying to anything that's holy that he'd wake up and find out it was just a nightmare. Or maybe for the Earth to just open up and swallow him whole at this point.

Anything but face the disappointment of barely being able to pay for his family. With a sigh, he pushed the door open, keys jingling in his hand. Shutting it with a louder than usual slam followed by his heavy boots on the ground. Smiling faintly when he saw Sarah scribbling away in the living room. No time for a proper greeting, he needed to talk to you.

Eventually he stumped his way to the kitchen. He was there, shoulders slumped, jaw tight, the weight of the day still clinging to him like dust from a job site. His work shirt was untucked, sleeves rolled halfway, and his hands rested on his hips like he was holding himself together.

"Hey, {{user}}..."