I feel like this chapter is kinda crappy. Oh well I guess. 

(Flashback: Alexander finally understands why his mom does what she does and goes home to apologize, but his mother is asleep, so he goes to bed, and he wakes up to his mom sitting on his bed)

      •••

"Oh Alexander," his mother sobbed, hugging her child tightly. 

"I'm so so sorry Mama," Alex whimpered.

At the same time, Rachel mumbled through her tears, "I should've told you. I'm sorry." She gently wiped a tear from her son's bruised cheek. He grimaced and nearly slapped her hand away. "Is there anything I can do?" She asked him, tears brimming in her eyes again at the thought of her son in pain.

"Can you make it stop hurting?" Alexander tried to smile while he stood to get ready for work. He heard his mother sigh softly while he changed into more suitable work clothes.

"Alexander I wanted to tell you. I was just afraid that you wouldn't look up to me as you do now." Rachel whispered, barely loud enough for Alexander to hear.

"I know mama. And it does change things. I don't think I'll ever look at you the same way." Alexander sighed. He hated that this effected him.

His mother emitted a wail that could've only been formed from pure pain. She covered her mouth as tears ran down her face.

Alexander tried to smile as he continued to speak. "I'm really trying to understand Mama. I really am." He sat beside her on the bed and wrapped his arms around her quaking frame. "You can't find anything else, can you? Everyone knows and no one wants you? Because you are doing that. That's why, isn't it?" The boy's voice had quieted down nearly to a whisper.

Rachel nodded. She wrapped her arms around her baby and smiled shakily. She was so glad this revelation didn't completely destroy the close relationship her and her son shared. It was a bump in the road, sure, but she knew that soon Alexander would come to terms with it and accept it, as he always did.

      •••

Alexander arrived at work that morning, and his boss was waiting for him at his desk. The boy figured it was because he was late. He was only 15 minutes late though, and that didn't typically warrant a visit from the boss.

"Sir, I apologize for being late. My, uh, my mom wasn't feeling well this morning and I had to take care of her." Alexander lied to his boss. Something he would've never dreamed of doing, but he felt he couldn't tell what really made him late.

"That is not why I'm here Mr. Hamilton." His boss said. "Please come into my office. I need to talk to you."

Oh no. Does he know what happened last night? Did he find out I've been coming here at night? How did he know? Alexander panicked as thoughts ran through his head of what he may have done to upset the boss. He considered pretending he didn't hear the man's request, but decided against it, nervously trailing his boss into the oh-so-familiar office.

"Hamilton. I've been told you got yourself into a little bit of a fight last night?" The man said, leaning forward in his swivel chair.

Alexander stuttered, "I... well... you see--"

"Don't even try to argue boy!" The burly man stood up, banging a huge fist onto the table. "I see those bruises on your face."

"Sir, the man was talking badly about my mother! I couldn't just let him do that!" Alexander was now yelling, his temper getting the better of him yet again.

"I can't have this." Alexander's boss sat back down into his chair. "I can't have an employee that argues with his boss, and gets into foolish fistfights with adults."

Alexander gulped. He knew where this was going. His anger dissipated , and the feeling was replaced with regret and guilt. He was about to get fired.

"I trust you understand where I'm going with this Mr. Hamilton?'" The large man leaned back. "You're fired. Gather your things, here's your last paycheck, and I don't want to see you here again."

Alexander felt his face drain of all color as he left the factory. As soon as he was out of the building, he groaned angrily. 

At this moment, the boy hated himself. How could he have done such a stupid thing?

If he had just held his tongue, and left the market, he wouldn't be in this mess. He'd still have a straight nose, he'd still have a job, he may have even been able to find his mother a birthday gift somewhere else.

 He'd let his temper get a hold of him, and it had ruined the little bit of certainty his life had.

Instead of going home, Alexander walked around town, looking for places that might hire him. He shook his head. He was thirteen, uneducated, and apparently wasn't good for publicity, or whatever it was his boss had said about him and his temper. With that record, he wasn't ever going to get a job. 

In that moment, Alexander felt every ounce of hope leave his body. 

Heh. Y'all get a new photo at the end to make up for all the sh*tty-ness of this chapter. I just really wanted to get something posted for you. 

QOTD: What is your favorite musical? (Don't say Hamilton unless that's the only musical you know!!!)

My Answer: Honestly, 21 Chump Street or Bonnie and Clyde...

Stay fiery,

aaron_burrn