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The next day, Jay and Zane tried to make the most of their day of rest. Jay relaxed on the couch and managed to catch a movie marathon he had been looking forward to. Zane had spent the day in bed, catching up on much needed sleep.
But as they rested, Lloyd grew restless. He had spent the morning catching up in school, and had finally finished his 3DS game by early afternoon. Not knowing what else to do, he reluctantly woke up Zane.
“Mom?”
“...hey, Lloyd. Is everything ok?”
“I guess. I’m just bored. Do we have cookie dough?”
“I don’t think we do. Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll take you shopping.”
Lloyd nodded and left, allowing Zane time to get dressed. They didn’t wear anything fancy, just a long black skirt and a knitted white sweater. But as they followed Lloyd to the front door, they wrapped their trusty light blue and white keffiyeh to cover their head.
“Are your shoes the white ones?”
“No. The larger combat boots.”
“Oh.”
Jay finally looked over and shot Zane a confused look.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Taking Lloyd shopping. He wants to bake cookies, and he’s been handling everything like a champ. So why not?”
“....on Shabbos?”
“It would be a good deed. Keeping him from destroying the apartment.”
“I guess?”
Zane sighed, but decided not to press the matter any further. They slipped a mask over their face and followed Lloyd out the door.
“Text me if you need anything, please!”
“If I remember to. Love you!”
Jay blew a kiss to Zane, and Lloyd just shut the door.
“Get a room, you two.”
=====================================================================
Getting to the store wasn’t a problem. Now that Zane felt more comfortable using a mobility aid, it wasn’t too tasking to walk the 2 blocks to the grocery store. But once they got inside, it was overwhelming. Even with their ear defenders and sunglasses, it was still a bit too much.
“Ok. Just the cookie dough, right?”
“...and apparently, Jay needs new socks and underwear.”
“Is he paying you back?”
“No, he doesn’t need to. Not while he’s in between jobs.”
Lloyd rolled his eyes and led Zane to the back of the store. Along the refrigerated wall, he found a package of Nestle cookie dough squares and looked through the packaging.
“This stuff is kosher. You could have some if you wanted.”
“That’s very sweet of you, Lloyd. But I don’t have as much of a sweet tooth as you. Sweet foods make me feel sick.”
“You’re literally hypoglycemic.”
“...so I am.”
Lloyd just held onto the cookie dough as they made their way to the clothing section. Zane did find their partner’s size of underwear with no issue, but socks were more challenging.
“Jay doesn’t like plain socks. He likes ones with patterns.”
“Did he specify?”
“No. But these would be more in his taste.”
Zane found a 6 pack of Dr. Pepper themed socks, and Lloyd nodded in approval. And as they navigated the self-checkout, Lloyd spotted something at the front of the store.
“Are those… oh! They’re already putting out the Christmas candy! Can we get some?”
“Not right now. Take a picture of the display, though. And I’ll make a note closer to Christmas.”
Lloyd sighed, but agreed. As he snapped a photo of the display, Zane finished paying for the groceries and bagged everything up before guiding the young one out of the store.
“Come on. The sooner we get home, the better.”
=====================================================================
The duo made it home with no issue, but it was clear that Zane was tired again. Lloyd pulled a chair from the dining table into the kitchen for them and set the cookie dough onto the counter.
“Jay?”
“What’s up?”
“I got what you asked for.”
“...thanks.”
They handed him the clothing essentials and made their way back over to the kitchen. As they sat down, Lloyd set a baking tray on their lap and began to open the package of cookie dough.
“I know you’re not cooking today. But can you still help me?”
“Of course. These can be tricky to space out properly.”
As Zane busied themself with that task, Lloyd pre-heated the oven and began to set out a cooling rack.
“Do you have oven mitts? I don’t want you burning your hands.”
“They’re right here!”
With the oven ready and the cookies spaced out on the tray, Lloyd slipped the oven mitts on and set the tray in the oven. As the cookies baked, Lloyd watched in awe.
“That’s so cool…”
Zane watched as well, just happy to see Lloyd so happy. When the oven went off and the cookies finished baking, he pulled them out and began moving them to the cooling rack.
“They’re boneless. Just the way I like them.”
“...Lloyd, cookies aren’t supposed to have bones.”
“It was a joke. Look how easily they fall apart.”
“...I see.”
As the cookies cooled, Lloyd got an idea.
“Do we have any Tupperware? The neighbor across from us has been helping me with my math homework, and I want to thank her.”
“Sure.”
Zane found a small container, enough to fit 3 of the cookies. Lloyd packed them up and ran out the door, and Zane just followed not too far behind.
“Do you have your slippers?”
“I don’t need them! It’s literally just right across from us!”
“...I just don’t want you to get splinters.”
“I won’t!”
Zane sighed and followed him out. As Lloyd knocked on the neighbor’s door, she opened it slightly and found herself delighted at the sight.
“Hi, ma’am! I was making cookies, and I figured you’d like some!”
“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much!”
He handed over the container and sped back off. Zane stayed behind to finally meet her, and she seemed to take the hint. She handed them a box of lemon and lavender tea, which Zane took with curiosity.
“Thank you… not just for this. But for being so kind to Lloyd.”
“It’s nothing, dearie. He’s told me so much about you, and I figured you would appreciate this.”
“Oh.”
“You’ve raised your son well, ma’am.”
Zane was taken aback by the comment, but did appreciate it.
“...thank you. Have a good evening.”
They went back into the apartment, where Lloyd had already helped himself to 2 of the fresh cookies and a large glass of oat milk.
“These are so sweet!”
“...I’m glad you like them. Lloyd? Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?”
“You don’t need to tell me. You show me. All the time.”
Zane just nodded and sat next to Lloyd. As he finished his cookies, Zane just took comfort in their simple little day.