Edgar woke before his alarm. He always did.
He stretched, yawned, and smiled to no one in particular. The sun poured in through the slats of his blinds, casting stripes across the modest room. First day. First job. First real step into adulthood, or so he’d been told. He sat up, ran a hand through his hair, and exhaled with purpose.
“Gotta make a good impression,” he said aloud, nodding to the room.
He dressed neatly, deliberately. Crisp white shirt, khaki slacks, a green tie with tiny silver flecks. He frowned at the knot in the mirror. “Still crooked,” he muttered, untying and trying again. The second attempt was better. Passable, at least. “Dad would say it’s fine.”
Down the hall, the house was bright with morning light. Sunlight beamed cheerfully through the kitchen window, catching little particles in the air like confetti. Edgar moved with purpose, sliding open drawers, grabbing a fork, a napkin. He packed a Tupperware of cold macaroni into his lunch bag, then paused—lifting a small folded note tucked under the lid. The ink was vibrant green, the letters neat and familiar.
He smiled softly and read the note under his breath.
“Good luck on your first day! We’re proud of you.”
He folded the note again with careful fingers and slipped it back.
As he filled his water bottle, he spoke without looking up. “I won’t be back too late tonight,” he said brightly. “I’ll come back for dinner. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you unattended.”
He stepped into the dining room, straightening his tie. “I’ll text if I’m running late.”
His mother was seated at the table in her robe, hands resting neatly in her lap. She didn’t respond.
He leaned down and kissed her gently on the crown of her head.
“Thanks for the lunch, Mom.”
He opened the cabinet, took out his old college mug, and poured hot water over a teabag. Then he carried it over to the kitchen table and placed it in front of his father.
“Here you go, in your favorite mug,” he said gently, then clapped a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Don’t wait up, okay?”
His father didn’t react, just stared straight ahead at the kitchen television.
Edgar opened the front door. “Big day,” he said to no one in particular.
And then, smiling, stepped out, eager to start his first day.