chapter 2 of 5 — new habits, new routines

Dusty returned to school, Dad returned to work. Dad was running short for time, however, and found it difficult to make wholesome foods for Dusty to take to school. Dad found it tiresome to do grocery shopping and then make dinner. When he did these things, he didn't have to energy to take his son out for a jog. Dad wished his wife was around to share the burden, but she wasn't. Within a month of returning to work, some unprecedented habits and routines began to form.

Instead of making healthy lunches, money buys tasty pastry vegan pies and snack foods. Instead of making dinner, money pays for takeaway foods and restaurant dinners. Dusty also seemed to be finishing his take-out food as well, rather than half eating healthy home-cooked meals. Eating out means no dishes to wash, which means more time to go for a jog. Although Dusty didn't join dad for jogs anymore, he was going to focus on his homework instead. It seemed as though the family was finally recovering since the accident.

Well, not quite. When Dad was out for a jog, Dusty couldn't seem to focus on his homework. He just wanted to distract himself from thinking about his mother, but homework just wasn't the answer. Food seemed to do the trick though...

Dusty: 'Dad, can you get me some snack foods for when I'm studying? I think it would help me focus'

It seemed reasonable, so Dad obliged. He bought some chocolate biscuits, corn chips, salsa, and frozen fries. All vegan of course. Indeed, it helped Dusty too. He was able to snack on tasty food which would distract him from misery. Or maybe not...

Dusty started focussing on his work, eating at his snacks, but shortly turned his full attention to the snacks. His eyes diverted from his assignment papers to the corn chips and salsa, eating one after the other after the other, layering more and more salsa on each chip each time. He finished off the snacks, and grudgingly resumed his studying. But again, he couldn't focus, he wanted something to eat. Fetching himself the chocolate biscuits, he mindlessly munched away. Again, turning his attention to the biscuits until they were all devoured. Maybe he needed a break, so Dusty pulled out his PlayStation and relaxed on the couch. He cooked up the frozen fries and snacked on them whilst he zoned out in the game.

For Dusty, this behaviour soon became commonplace. He and Dad would have dinner, come home, Dad would go for a jog, and Dusty would neglect his studies whilst snacking on the PlayStation.