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Kenji Long noticed that Jessica hadn’t come in the previous night. He made a note to remember it for when she came back. The liquor cabinet had been used too Kenji noted. It wasn’t that she’d left it open but rather the cutlery on the top that had given it away. When ever you slammed the cupboard the cutlery bounced around and there was a notable decrease in the size of the liquor. Also Kenji noticed was that the dishes were washed up but that wasn’t special either except she only ever packed away the dishes at the same time when she was being aided. Most probably by Rika. Kenji didn’t approve of their friendship, not for a second but he was in no position to talk to her about flushing her life away. He knew Jessica and Jessica wouldn’t have any of it. There would be an argument, which would end up in her leaving. The day had barely started and Already Kenji was exhausted from all his thinking. People always said he over analyzed things. He was doing it now and he couldn’t help it. Kenji walked to his room and kicked off his slipper before putting on a pair of running shoes that didn’t suit him. Not for a second. They also didn’t match his over grown alcohol fueled belly. The sky was gray, as gray as his shirts and track pants. Kenji took of his robe and threw it onto his bed, which lay unmade. Kenji grunted as he attempted to touch his toes. His complacent bones revved themselves into action but his even more complacent muscles screamed in protest setting a bonfire in his calves which spread up to his thigh. His back on the other hand didn’t waste time with burning but rather froze in place and Kenji grimaced as he fought his way down. All his effort had only gotten him as far as his shins and weren’t willing to give an inch more. Kenji grimaced even harder as he corrected himself.

“One.” He grunted fatigued and tired. Kenji measured his options. On his left was an unmade bed. It softness would be better than any dream he’d ever had. He was sure of it.  On his right was a door leading down the stairs and out the house, where he’d jog and most likely die of a heart attack or a stroke halfway through.

“No” Kenji panted. He had to make the jog. One week ago he’d been given the opportunity of the remainder of his life. Officer John Remora, Officer Kenneth Fitzpatrik and Joan Fitzpatrik. Were going to open a private investigating business. It was something Kenji needed and was grateful for the opportunity. They said that they wouldn’t have done it without him. Kenji had declined at first but it was this morning he had changed his mind. It was one of the few decisions he felt good about. It would help both his daughters start living again. Jessica acted calm about him and his drinking but Kenji knew her she wouldn’t let any anger show. The anger and disappointment must have been building up everyday. Kenji was sure would Jessica never showed it. She could get angry but she never really was furious nor did she cry. It was something that unnerved Kenji and he hoped she’d get over her slump, if that was what it was. After all she did have friends. The same couldn’t really be said for the baby of the family but she would get her voice back Kenji knew it he only hoped it was sooner rather than later. Because life was passing her by. Kenji never saw her bring friends. The teachers here weren’t trained in taking care of her so they were of no help. They couldn’t help but they could complain. They complained so much. They talked about so many pointless things that I all because white noise to Kenji. If there was real positive to this job it was that Sonia would get a real school to go to.

Kenji opened the door and started his jog. Lake Town wasn’t a bad place. It was right next to the city and everyone who lived here commuted. The houses here weren’t big but they were of a nice class. Property here wasn’t cheap but the safety of living here was worth it or so people would say. AS long as Sonia could walk during the day it was fine. Kenji jogged past the first block then past the next before stopping to regain his breath. There was a time when Kenji could have jogged the whole neighbor hood without stopping but that was before Jessica and Sonia. He started running again. And turned before reaching the main roads. He ran for another block before slowing himself considerably. Even slow jogging took almost everything out of him. Kenji coughed and continued his jog. The he’d crossed the fifth block and the houses came closer together now. They were thinner too. Kenji kept running. Up ahead there were police sirens and a hospital van. Kenji picked up the pace and stopped outside it. Police were sending bystanders back. Kenji ambled his way to the nearest police man. “What’s happening?” Kenji asked. The man pushed him back. Some kid overdosed.”

Kenji stepped out of the policeman’s way. His interest peeked. He stopped himself from investigating and broke into his jog again. Kenji stopped at the park up ahead and drank water greedily. It felt great as it soothed the dry burning on his throat. Satified with himself Kenji put his hands in his pockets and walked around the park. It really was a pretty park. The grass could have belonged on the green of a golf course. Kenji grinned as he watched children only a little older than Sonia play on the grass. Kenji had been an officer in Lake town’s city and had used his power to get community service sufferers to clean it and maintenance it every week. The idea had worked like a charm since quite a few police men lived here and in areas around Lake town. Kenji turned and jogged back the way he came. Turning early to get into his street which was Elm street and Kenji jogged home.

Kenji just about crawled past his door exhausted and dragged himself to the kitchen where he poured himself a beer. He stopped when he realised what he was doing. He sighed hevily and poured it out before looking for water. Just then the door unlocked and Jessica came in.

“Jessica” Kenji said as she pased the kitchen. Jessica stopped and came back. She looked different. It wasn’t just the way she looked it was also the way she way dressed. It also looked like she was limping. Jessica noticed what Kenji was doing.

“You’re anaylsing me I can see it. Stop it. Just switch it off please.]” Jessica was yelling.

Kenji paused “Jessica what happened?” Kenji said staring shocked.

Jessica looked hard at her father before rolling her eyes and leaving. Jessica couldn’t hide the fact that they were glistening. Kenji ran and caught Jessica’s arm.

Kenji did something he’d never done before. She hugged her daughter. He hugged her as hard as she could and Jessica stood frozen on the spot.

“You don’t have to tell me now then” Kenji said. He felt aien at that point. It was as if he wasn’t the one talking but his wife. She was the one mad enough to say something like ‘don’t tell me what bothering you’ Kenji couldn’t normally do something like that. Kenji heard jessica sniff before Jessica fell limp in Kenji’s arms.