After Hours

Another day, another closing. Sunny pulled down the bakery's shutters and knelt to lock them.
"Good work today," his father said behind him, waiting.

"Good work today," he repeats. Another night of walking home. Day in, day out, it's the same thing. Hours blend together and the only time he's aware of are when its time to open and close the shop. His dad puts a hand on his head, ruffling his hair like he always does. "You okay? You seemed down today."

Sunny nods with a rub to his jaw, face devoid of emotion. There's no more customers to smile for, no more people he has to talk to - a break for now at least. He leans into his father's touch. Father's hand has always been bigger than Sunny's. Rougher too. It's a good hand, Sunny thinks. If only it didn't hold regret and mistakes too. 

His own hand was on the longer side. Reminiscent of the days where he would hold twigs and sticks found lying about and poking at things with them. He misses those days like he misses the hand that used to hold his, that fit his. All he has now are cigarettes and empty bottles.

"Whoa," the hand on his head suddenly drops to grip at his shoulder and he tenses, "what in the world..." 

The hold on him doesn't let him continue walking. He looks up to his father but he can't see suddenly. It's dark all around and he's brought back to the days of hiding in closets. 

"Look up, Sunny," his dad's voice breaks him of his daze, and he follows it.

"They're stars." Baffled wonderment can be heard in his father's tone and it resonates within him.

Bright dots dance in the sky, encompassing the world at night entirely. They stretch endlessly, burning his vision, shining and reflecting one another like after images. He doesn't think he's ever seen anything more beautiful than an abyss lit up solely from the universe's energy. It reminds him of his mother - she always glowed in his memories, so ever bright. The silhouettes of buildings in front of them were clear thanks to the bright night sky and for a moment, Sunny wondered while gripping his shirt, if someone out there was looking at the same stars he was. Were they thinking the same thoughts, and missing loved ones like he was? Or were they happy?

His father's grip brought him down to Earth again. He had been talking while Sunny was lost in the stars.

"You don't see this every night, appreciate it while it lasts," he laughed and gave Sunny a tight one-armed hug before pulling him by the arm to continue their walk home. 

Sunny nodded, half listening, and continued to stare at the stars. He hopes they're happy.