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Bobby would always buy Athena flowers on the first of the month. It’s his way of showing her he still cares. After his death, Athena couldn’t look at flowers. She couldn’t stand the sight of what once brought her endless smiles staring at her in her darkest moments. It’s only after a few months that she’s able to have the kids over again, including Buck. He’s been doing his best to check in with everyone, everyone but himself. She watches him at their weekly dinners that had started long before the pandemic. She doesn’t bother to hide the fact she’s staring. Something isn’t adding up, she's still a cop even if she’s on a leave of absence to grieve her husband.
It doesn’t hit her until next dinner. Buck comes over early to help cook even though it’s not necessary, he’s always welcome. She gave him a key awhile ago, always wanting her children to know they are welcome home. Athena didn’t intend to adopt the white boy her husband was fond of, but damn, she did. She listens to the normal sounds of someone coming in: door shut, shoes off, bags down, water running. Water running? Athena tilts her head, not usual but not abnormal necessarily. Then, it stops. Must have just been a big glass of water, she reasons. Then she hears the crinkle of plastic and snipping. She gets up, leaving the warm couch behind. She pokes her head into the kitchen to find Buck cutting the ends of flowers. She pauses, stuck. It’s the first of the month. Why does he have flowers??????????? “What are you doing?”
“Hey! I saw these and thought of you. What do you think?”
“Get them out of here!” She orders. Buck, panicked, obeys, bringing the flowers back to his car.
He comes back in a second later for his keys, then leaves again. It’s only now that Athena processes what’s happening, how she snapped at her son doing his best, how he’s just tyring to be thoughtful and she flew off the handle.
He comes back inside, immediately washing his hands.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were allergic. I thought I saw Bo- him buy you sunflowers.”
“I’m not allergic.” Athena turns around, going to her room.
Buck ends up putting away the groceries, sitting outside on the patio instead. Athena joins him about half an hour later.
“Tea?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She hums in acknowledgment. “Bobby said it was important you start every month with gratitude you’re still alive.” He starts apropos of nothing.
“Well he’s not.”
“I know.” They sit outside for a while. “He said he also liked seeing how you smiled every time he brought them home. Said Michael never bought you any, he wanted to be better, do better.”
Athena sniffles a little. “He did.”
“He also left me something, a letter.”
“Yes Buck, I know about the letters.”
He smiles. “He left me instructions.”
She looks at him, confused and intrigued. “Do tell.”
“The list is about how I can help take care of you since he can’t.” She starts crying again. He lifts his arm, she leans on him. They spend the rest of that night ordering take out and relaxing.
Before Buck goes home that night, Athena asks for the flowers. She puts them out that night, tears rolling down her face as she puts Bobby’s picture next to them.