May:

  The first thing I smelled when I walked into Merrick’s hacker cave was burnt coffee and highschooler.

  He didn’t even turn from the wall of screens, fingers flying across the keyboard, muttering curses at code that hated him back.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at school?” I said, picking up his backpack. “Fox said you need a shower and a girlfriend.”

  He swatted at me without looking, eyes glued to the screen. “No. Fox smells like horse meat and garlic, so his opinion is invalid.” the code blinked red again, ACCESS DENIED, “—I don’t have time for hygiene or romance when the king’s firewall keeps dropkicking me.”

  I dropped his backpack onto the desk with a thud. “Cute excuse, Merrick. Still doesn’t change the fact this place reeks like a locker room and bad coffee.”

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  “You’re not my mom.”

  “But I made a promise to your father so turn it off, then take a shower, and a nap.”

  “You’re not my mom,” Merrick shot back, shoulders hunching as the red text kept streaming across his monitor.

  “Nope,” I said, folding my arms. “But I made a promise to your father. So, turn it off, take a shower, and then a nap before you start mutating into a cave goblin.”

  He groaned, shoving his chair back just far enough to glare at me. “Do you know what happens if I stop right now?”

  “Fox is at work and you need school so rest.” I reasoned.

  He didn’t reply but his computer did though, with bold red letters D.E.N.I.E.D. I swear he’s worse than my son. I padded over to his supper computer and peered over and found cords dress, right dress.

  At least he’s neat with his cable management, but I am unplugging his shit.

  Anyway, my hand lazily fell on top of his cords and tugged so gently. The hum of his computer stopped.

  “WHAT THE HELL?”

  A sleigh smile crept across my face. “Maybe the Gods are tell you to rest, go be a normal high school teen.”

  He spun out of his chair and waddled out of the room as his trail of BO followed him.

  “Go masturbate or spend time with your dad!” I called out behind him.

  He rushed back to the door frame and flipped me the bird.

  Get a life.