Chapter 8: Small Steps and Big Plans

The early morning light filtered through Josh’s window, warming his face and gently waking him. He stretched, taking a moment to enjoy the peaceful quiet of a Saturday morning. A delicious, familiar scent wafted up from downstairs—his mom was cooking. Smiling, he got dressed quickly, then padded down the stairs and into the kitchen.

His mom was standing at the stove, flipping scrambled eggs in a pan, her worn but well-loved apron tied around her waist. Her hair was pulled back, and there was a calm, contented look on her face as she worked. She glanced up when she heard him enter, her face lighting up with a smile.

“Well, look who’s up early on a Saturday!” she teased, her eyes warm. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

“Morning, Mom,” Josh said, smiling back as he took a seat at the table. “Smells really good.”

“Just something simple,” she replied, setting a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. “I thought you could use a nice breakfast, with all the hard work you’ve been doing lately.”

Josh’s face softened as he looked at the modest but thoughtful meal. “Thanks, Mom,” he said, taking a bite. “You didn’t have to, but I really appreciate it.”

She poured him a glass of milk, then sat down across from him with her coffee. They ate in comfortable silence for a moment, savoring the calm of the morning. Josh glanced around, noticing how tidy everything looked—like his hard work over the past few days had really made a difference.

After a few bites, he looked up, already thinking of what else he could do to help. “So, is there anything you need done around the house today?” he asked, hoping to give her a break over the weekend.

She looked thoughtful for a moment, glancing around the kitchen as if mentally running through her usual list. “You know,” she said, a bit surprised, “I think we’re pretty much caught up. You’ve tackled the laundry, dishes are all put away, and I even noticed the counters are spotless. You’ve really helped me stay on top of things this week, Josh.”

Josh felt a warm sense of pride, knowing his efforts were making a difference. “Good,” he said with a smile. “I just want to make sure you don’t have to worry about any of it.”

She nodded, her eyes drifting toward the window, where the morning sunlight poured in. Her gaze fell on the backyard, and her expression faltered slightly as she took in the overgrown grass and a few stray weeds creeping into the flowerbeds.

“Well,” she sighed, a touch of disappointment in her voice, “I did ask Joel to mow the lawn last weekend ... but it looks like he still hasn’t gotten around to it.”

Josh followed her gaze, seeing the untamed grass and the scattered leaves that had piled up over the past week. Without hesitating, he finished his last bite of toast, pushed his plate aside, and looked up with a determined smile.

“Don’t worry, Mom,” he said, standing up. “I can handle it. I’ll mow the yard this morning.”

Her face softened in surprise, and she put down her coffee cup, reaching over to give his hand a grateful squeeze. “Are you sure, honey? It’s a lot of work, and I don’t want to put too much on your shoulders.”

Josh shrugged, smiling. “It’s really no big deal. And I’d rather get it done now so you don’t have to worry about it later. Besides,” he added with a grin, “someone’s gotta keep this place looking nice, right?”

She laughed, a spark of relief and appreciation in her eyes. “Well, thank you, Josh. You’ve really been stepping up, you know? It’s like I have a whole new son,” she teased, chuckling as she ruffled his hair. Then, her voice softened, and she looked at him with pride. “I mean it, Josh—I’m proud of you. You’re becoming such a responsible young man.”

Josh felt his heart swell at her words, and he returned her smile. “Thanks, Mom. I just want to help out however I can.”

After finishing breakfast, he put his dishes in the sink, rolled up his sleeves, and headed out to the garage. He grabbed the lawn mower and a pair of gardening gloves, glancing at the yard. Joel had really let it go this time—the grass had grown tall, and leaves from the trees littered the ground, giving the whole yard a messy look. But Josh felt a renewed determination to get it back in shape.

He pulled the mower into the yard, giving the handle a firm tug to start it up. The engine sputtered to life, and he began pushing it across the lawn in neat, steady rows. The rhythmic hum of the mower filled the air as he worked his way from one end of the yard to the other, watching as each strip of grass transformed from wild to neatly trimmed.

Halfway through, his mom came out onto the porch, watching him with a smile. She called out over the sound of the mower, “You’re really doing a great job, Josh! The yard’s already looking so much better.”

Josh gave her a thumbs-up and kept going, a sense of satisfaction building as he continued. When he finished the main section of the lawn, he grabbed the rake from the shed and began gathering the fallen leaves, piling them neatly along the edge of the yard. The scent of freshly cut grass filled the air, making the entire space feel cleaner, fresher.

Finally, he stood back, surveying his work. The yard looked transformed, neat and well-tended, and he felt a deep sense of accomplishment as he wiped his brow.

His mom walked over, a warm smile lighting up her face as she took in the sight. “Josh, it looks wonderful,” she said, a mix of pride and relief in her voice. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

Josh shrugged, grinning. “Anytime, Mom. Just let me know if there’s anything else that needs doing.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “At this rate, I think you’re going to put me out of a job.” Her smile softened as she added, “I feel so lucky, Josh. You’ve really stepped up, and I couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Hearing her words, Josh felt a renewed sense of purpose. This second chance wasn’t just about getting things right for himself; it was about being there for his family, one small act at a time.

After finishing up in the yard, Josh wheeled the mower back into the garage, satisfied with the freshly cut lawn. The warm sun had left him sweaty and a bit sore, so he headed inside, eager to cool down and clean up. He made his way to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and stepped into the steady stream of water, letting the heat soothe his tired muscles.

As he stood under the shower, his mind began to wander back to his family’s situation. The house was quiet, but he could still picture his mom, sitting at the table with that weary smile. He knew how hard she worked, the long hours she put in just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. And even then, it always seemed like they were just barely getting by.

I need to do more, he thought, the water streaming over him. There’s got to be a way to make a real difference for her, something that would give her a break from all this overtime. His mom was practically running herself into the ground, always taking on extra shifts, sacrificing her own rest and time to keep things afloat.

He began considering different ways to earn some money, starting with the basics. Maybe I could work at the mini-mart, he thought, picturing himself stocking shelves and sweeping floors at the little store. Mrs. Chang was always friendly, and he knew she might be willing to give him a few hours of work on weekends. But realistically, he knew it wouldn’t pay much—certainly not enough to keep his mom from needing those exhausting overtime shifts.

Then there was Mr. Johnson. Josh knew his neighbor would welcome help with yard work and odd jobs, especially now that Josh had shown he could do a thorough job. But even with both the mini-mart and Mr. Johnson’s jobs combined, it still wouldn’t be enough to cover much beyond groceries. It was something, sure, but it wouldn’t come close to easing the full burden on his mom.

If only there was a way to bring in some real money, he thought, racking his brain for ideas. He considered some of the smaller options he’d thought of—helping out at the mini-mart or working odd jobs for Mr. Johnson—but he knew it wouldn’t be enough. He needed something bigger, something that would give her room to breathe.

Then, he remembered: his Death’s Wish power. It was the tool Death himself had given him, granting him access to any information he needed. The potential it held went far beyond school or study. He could use it to gain knowledge about the stock market, track the rise and fall of companies, and even plan out small investments. The power could open doors that would otherwise be out of reach.

The idea reminded him of something from Back to the Future 2, when Biff had used a sports almanac to place bets and make a fortune. A quick path to some easy wins ... but he immediately ran into a problem: he was only ten. Even if he had access to all the winning scores and outcomes, no bookie in town would take his bets.

Still, he thought, the idea of the stock market could work. Though he’d have to start small, the investments could grow over time, and by the time he was old enough to access the money, it could make a real difference.

Stepping out of the shower, he toweled off, feeling a flicker of excitement at the possibilities. He wasn’t sure how to pull it off just yet, but his Death’s Wish power had given him more than just knowledge—it had given him an edge. He’d have to move carefully, figuring out how to act on these ideas without drawing too much attention.

As he dressed, Josh felt a new sense of resolve. There were no easy solutions, but this second chance had opened his mind to opportunities he never would have considered. He wasn’t sure how it would all come together, but one thing was certain: he wouldn’t let his mom keep carrying the full weight on her own. He’d find a way, no matter how long it took.

After finishing his shower and getting dressed, Josh walked into the kitchen, where his mom was sorting through a small stack of bills, her face creased with concentration. She looked up as he entered, her expression softening.

“Oh, Josh, I was just about to call you. Do you think you could run down to the mini-mart for me?” she asked, folding a small list and handing it to him. “I’m planning to make meatloaf tonight, but we’re missing a few ingredients.” She reached into her purse, pulling out a few crumpled bills and passing them over. “This should cover it.”

Josh took the list and glanced down at the familiar scrawl of his mother’s handwriting. “Sure thing,” he replied, slipping the money into his pocket. He suddenly remembered Mrs. Chang’s comment from yesterday. “Oh, and Mrs. Chang said to tell you hello.”

His mom smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s sweet of her. Tell her I say hello right back. And thank you, honey—this really helps.”

Josh gave her a quick nod and headed out, the list tucked firmly in his pocket. He’d gotten used to making these quick trips to the mini-mart, and as he walked, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose. It felt good to know he was helping his mom, even if it was just by picking up a few groceries.

When he reached the mini-mart, he spotted Mrs. Chang at the register, her face brightening as he stepped inside. She gave him a warm wave. “Josh! Back again so soon?”

“Hey, Mrs. Chang!” he replied, waving back as he made his way over. “Mom’s making meatloaf tonight and sent me to grab a few things.”

She nodded approvingly. “A good, hearty meal. You all are lucky—meatloaf is always a treat.” She leaned forward, lowering her voice playfully. “And how did the chili turn out? Did everyone like it?”

Josh grinned. “It was a hit. My brothers couldn’t believe I actually made it myself.”

Mrs. Chang laughed, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “I knew it! You’ve got the makings of a great cook, Josh. I bet your mom’s proud.”

Blushing slightly, Josh gave a modest shrug and headed down the aisles, gathering the ingredients on the list. He picked up a package of ground beef, a small carton of milk, a can of tomato sauce, and a few fresh vegetables. As he browsed, he noticed Mr. Chang stocking shelves in the back.

Mr. Chang looked up, nodding in recognition. “Back for more, are we?” he asked, smiling as he placed cans neatly on the shelf.

“Yeah,” Josh said, lifting the items in his basket. “Mom sent me this time—she’s making meatloaf tonight.”

“Lucky you,” Mr. Chang replied, chuckling. “Nothing like a good homemade meatloaf.”

Josh agreed, chatting for a moment before making his way to the register with his items. Mrs. Chang rang them up, humming as she tallied the cost. While Josh waited, his eyes drifted to the small Powerball ticket machine sitting near the counter. The sign above it advertised the current jackpot, numbers in bold letters that boasted millions.

An idea sparked in his mind. The lottery ... of course! With his Death’s Wish power, he could look up the winning Powerball numbers and easily score a winning ticket. He felt a thrill of excitement at the thought, imagining how much a windfall like that could change things for his family. But as he considered it, a hint of doubt crept in.

Winning a jackpot that large might be more trouble than it was worth. People would talk, and there would be endless questions. Winning millions all at once could make things easier for his family, but it could also bring unwanted attention and burdens they weren’t prepared for. And how would he even explain how a ten-year-old had come up with the winning numbers?

Mrs. Chang handed him his bag, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Here you go, Josh,” she said, her eyes kind. “Tell your mom I said hello, and enjoy that meatloaf.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Chang,” he replied, smiling. “And I will. She says hello back, by the way.”

As he walked home, he mulled over the Powerball idea, weighing the pros and cons. If he played it right, he could potentially win smaller prizes—enough to help but not so much that people would start asking questions. There were other lotteries too, smaller ones with less notice. Maybe there was a way to use the power for just the right amount of money, enough to keep his family comfortable without drawing suspicion.