YouTube University

Chapter 7

I watched Troye whisper something into the boys ear while they were hugging, and the boy nodded. Troye then picked him up and held him in his arms like an infant. Now that I could see his face more detailed, I could see what he really looked like. He had bright blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. His face made him look about six or seven years old, and his blue t-shirt had a dinosaur on it. I smiled at him and said, "Do you know where your parents are?"

"Mama said she forgot something at home and told me to wait here while she went to get it."

Troye seemed startled. "She left you?" He asked.

"She does it all the time, but she always comes back. I know she'll come back this time, she always comes back!" The little boy seemed to have faith in his mother, especially if she is leaving him out in the rain like this.

"What's your name?" I asked him.

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because I told you my name, now you tell me yours."

"My name is David." He said.

"How far away do you live?" Troye asked.

"I don't know. I don't think it's too far."

"Do you want us to take you home?" Troye added.

"No!" The boy shouted. "I'm a big boy and can wait here for my mama."

"But," I started. "it's dark outside and it's raining. I don't understand why she'd leave you here."

"Uh, Anna." Troye started and was holding up his arm. There was a watch around his wrist and the time on it read 10:15. "I don't want to stay out past curfew. The school restricts you from a day of classes if you're not back on the campus in time."

"David," I started. "Listen to me. I need you to let us either take you home or to the police station so we can find your mom-"

"No!" He shouted and Troye set him on the ground. "I'm a big boy and mama will come back for me!"

"David?" I asked.

"What?"

"Were you scared when we found you?" He didn't respond. "Look, it's alright. I know that you're afraid of the dark and of being left alone, but-"

"No! No! No!" He shouted. "I'm not afraid of anything!" He crossed his arms and looked at the ground, then shrieked and ran towards me. He was clutching my leg. "It's a spider!"

Troye perked up, "How did he not die in the rain?"

"It doesn't matter," I started. I got down on one knee and faced David towards me. "do you want to see if Mr. Policeman can help you find your mom? I don't think she's coming back."

"But," David started. "She always comes back."

I paused and Troye got on the floor with me. "Look," he started. "I think you're brave. I think you're very brave. Having trust in your mother is the bravest thing a human can possibly do. You love her, right?"

"Oh, I love mama very much."

"Good. That takes bravery. Some kids hate their parents, but you- you're good. And especially waiting for her in the dark, now that takes courage!"

"You think I'm brave?" He asked.

"Definitely!" Troye shouted. David laughed and Troye fanned his fingers through his wet hair, giving him a noogie. Just as I stood up, a bright light from a car was shining in the alleyway.

"Mama!" He shouted. "I told you she'd come back, I told you, I told you!"

"What do you know," I whispered to Troye. "she really came back."