SPLINTERED REFLECTIONS

Yuki's pov

The aroma of jasmine tea curled through the air like a calming balm, its warm tendrils dancing around my senses. I sat cross-legged on the couch, the teacup cradled in my hands. Suzu was sprawled out at my feet, her little three-legged body stretched like she had no worries in the world. Lucky her.

Lily was bustling around the kitchen, humming some off-key tune as she sorted Grandpa’s meds for the day. She wasn’t exactly a great singer, but she had the kind of energy that made her presence comforting. My best friend, my rock, my unofficial therapist.

“So,” she called out, her voice slightly muffled over the clinking bottles. “How’s the unemployed life treating you, Mr. Fancy Blazer?”

I snorted into my tea. “Just peachy. I’ve got the free time to sip tea like an old English lord. All I need now is a butler to feed me grapes.”

Before Lily could respond, the crash came.

It started with the shattering of glass, the teacup slipping from my fingers and hitting the floor as Grandpa’s voice roared through the apartment.

“Laurie! Laurie, where are you?!”

I froze. The air grew heavy, like the weight of his voice pressed down on everything in its path. Suzu bolted upright, barking in sharp, worried yips.

“Laurie, it’s past your bedtime!” Grandpa’s voice cracked, desperate and full of something I couldn’t place. “Come home! You’ll get hurt out there!”

My chest tightened. His episodes weren’t uncommon, but each one felt like a punch to the gut. He was trapped in his own mind, lost somewhere in the past, and there was nothing I could do to reach him.

I rushed to his side, crouching down in front of him. “Grandpa, it’s me. It’s Yuki. You’re safe. You’re at home.”

But he didn’t see me. His wide, glassy eyes looked straight through me, as if I wasn’t even there. “Laurie, I said come home! You’re just a child! Do you hear me?!” His voice broke, trembling with fear and anger.

“Grandpa, please—”

“Don’t you ‘please’ me, young lady!” he snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut. He pointed a shaking finger at me, his hand trembling so badly I thought he might fall out of his chair. “You’re going to get yourself killed wandering around at night! Listen to your father, Laurie!”

I felt my throat tighten as the realization hit me again. He wasn’t seeing me. He was seeing her. My mother. His daughter. And it was like staring into a broken mirror of my own face.

“Laurie, for God’s sake, listen!” His voice cracked, and his body began to tremble violently.

Suzu barked louder, pawing at his chair as if she could somehow ground him. The sight of her, her little three-legged form, trying so hard to help, nearly broke me.

“Okay, Grandpa,” I said softly, forcing my voice to stay calm. “Okay. I’ll come home. I’m safe now. I’m here.”

“Liar!” he spat, tears streaming down his face. “You’re not here! You never listen!”

“Yuki, step back,” Lily said, suddenly at my side. Her voice was firm but gentle, the kind of tone that made you obey without question. She moved with precision, easing Grandpa back into his chair and pulling a small pill bottle from her pocket. “Suzu, shush,” she added as the dog whimpered.

I backed away, my heart pounding as Lily coaxed him to take his medication. Her voice was soothing, her movements fluid as if she’d done this a thousand times. And she had.

Within minutes, Grandpa’s shouts turned to mumbles, and then to silence. His body relaxed, sinking into the chair like a deflated balloon.

“He’s okay now,” Lily said quietly, standing up and brushing her hands on her scrubs.

I nodded, my throat still tight. Suzu nuzzled against my leg, and I picked her up, burying my face in her fur to steady myself.

Lily sat down across from me, her eyes soft with concern. “You good?”

“Yeah,” I lied, setting Suzu down.

She gave me a long look, clearly not buying it. “You sure? Because that was…” She trailed off, gesturing vaguely toward Grandpa, who was now asleep.

“Yeah,” I repeated, plastering on my signature grin. “You know me. Always bouncing back like a cartoon character. Pow! Right in the feels, but I’m good.”

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t push it. Instead, she leaned back, crossing her arms. “How’s he doing lately?”

I shrugged, sipping what was left of my tea. “Same as always. Good days, bad days. I mean, you’re the one with the clipboard. Is he getting any better?”

Lily sighed, rubbing her temples. “Yuki… you know how this works. It’s not about getting better. It’s about managing it. And with his age, well…”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It’s getting worse.”

She didn’t say anything, but her silence was answer enough.

“Great,” I said, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow even to me. “Just great. Grandpa’s deteriorating, the bills are piling up, and your boy’s got zero income. Love that for me.”

Lily’s lips quirked up in a small smile. “Speaking of boys, have you heard from Erik?”

I froze for half a second before waving her off. “Oh, you mean Mr. French Vacation? Nope. Haven’t heard a peep in, what, a week now? But hey, who’s counting?”

Lily’s eyebrows shot up. “A week? He hasn’t called?”

“Nope!” I said brightly, clapping my hands. “But you know Erik. Probably too busy sipping wine in Paris or whatever bougie thing he’s doing over there.”

Her gaze softened. “Yuki…”

“Don’t start,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Let’s move on before I start crying into my tea, yeah?”

She studied me for a moment before relenting. “Alright. But you’d better talk to him when he gets back. Communication is key, babe.”

“Sure, sure,” I said breezily, though the thought of confronting Erik made my stomach churn.

Lily tilted her head, suddenly curious. “Wait. Didn’t you have a job interview yesterday? How’d that go?”

I groaned, flopping back dramatically. “Oh, girl. Let me tell you. I got rejected. As in, R-E-J-E-C-T-E-D. Reeee-jected. Reeeeejjjjjeeecccctteeeedddd!”

She laughed, covering her mouth. “What? Why? You’re overqualified for like, everything. What company was it?”

“Some Asian-American firm,” I said, waving my hand dismissively. “Figured it’d be a good fit, but nope! Got the boot before I even got through the damn door.”

Lily’s face immediately fell, her hand slapping her forehead. “Oh, Yuki…”

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Creed Malcolm,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “He owns that place. Total womanizer. Refuses to hire men unless he absolutely has to. There are, like, five guys in the entire company.”

I stared at her, stunned. “You’re joking.”

“I wish I was.”

“The audacity of that mother—” I cut myself off, throwing my hands up. “No, seriously. The audacity! Who even does that?”

“Apparently Creed Malcolm,” she said dryly.

I sat back, crossing my arms as my mind raced. The rejection had stung before, but now it burned with indignation.

“Yeah,” I muttered, my jaw tightening. “We’ll see about that.”