Pieces Part 1

Who said cleaning was easy..

I paused, grappling with his perspective. "Outgrowing your problem, I understand, but is killing or seeking revenge the right thing to do? Morally speaking, when you get slapped on the left cheek, aren't you supposed to turn the other cheek?" I countered, invoking a familiar adage.

Kali interrupted my contemplation with a resolute voice, "Don't talk that slang; that's slavery talk. If a guy kills your family, you've got to kill or make him wish he was dead. It's called getting even or getting over! Only a saint, the ordained ones, would give their captor both cheeks."

I absorbed his words, pondering the weight of vengeance versus forgiveness. The room seemed to hang in a fragile equilibrium, a clash of ideals and principles battling within us.

Kali pointed his finger at me and then back at himself, his words underscoring our shared understanding. "And little Maurice," he emphasized,

"We ain't no saints."

His conviction left no room for doubt as we contemplated the complex, morally charged decisions ahead.

I replied, "Yeah, I think they put something in your coffee." I said

The way Kali speaks was a surprise to me, but I realized the truth in his words. I wasn't a saint, as he said. The world thinks I'm a murderer. Wait... No, I'm not. I was set up. I didn't kill Tina!

I sipped my tea and was disgusted at how bland it was. I grabbed the Sugar and poured it as I continued.

"Your mindset is so bitter; you need, and this tea needs some sugar."

Kali asks, "Sugar? Do you think I should be sweeter? I'm sitting down and having a conversation with the person who killed my family. I think I've got my reasons."

I was momentarily mute when he asked because I could not speak. The faces of my parents flashed endlessly in my head.

As I balled up my fists, Kali sneered, "Huh? Still a sensitive topic? You should just embrace it; you are a murderer."

I hit the table, shouting, "No, stop! It was an accident!"

The diner fell quiet as Kali's coffee toppled over and started drizzling a river around the table.

"Hmmm... You know... It's not that bad." He steepled his fingers, head cocked to the side. "Some arrogance is still in you, and you have not accepted what you did yet. Why don't you want to accept the fact that you killed your family?"

"It was an accident!" I shot in a cold voice, but Kali's look didn't seem familiar.

I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion as he continued, "I mean, you got away scot-free. If you were going to use your talents to do it someday, you surely did it at the right age. Ha-ha."

I stood up and yelled, "How could you laugh about that?" My blood was boiling. I could not hold every word Kali uttered momentarily as everyone looked at us. I apologized and sat back down.

Kali abruptly got quiet, and his demeanor turned sour, "Well, you see,

It is because of you; Mom and Dad are gone...

He gripped the table, "And we will never get to see them or our brother again."

I looked at him and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Oh my, you don't know? I'm surprised you didn't put 2 and 2 together with me being here.

"What is it?"

"Well, I guess the reports did mess up with the name. The names of the victims were

*Maureen Bian

*Kalilian Bian Sr

*and Kalilian the 2nd

But, it should have been ...the 3rd."

My body became numb as I repeated, "The third? When did...?"

"It can't be surprising; you were gone for a year. Didn't you go on that trip with that Richard family who adopted you? You probably should have stayed with them and left my family alone."

I started feeling nauseous and ran to the bathroom.

*Ding Ding*

Two gentlemen walked in and sat down at the bar.

Inside the bathroom,

With my head halfway down the toilet, I couldn't stop shaking.

That's when someone walks into the bathroom.

"So what are you going to do? Will you hide your problems like a kid is told to clean his room? Or will you clean up your problems like a big boy?"

I spit into the toilet, then teared up. "I don't know. I can't keep holding things in, but I respect your point but can't entirely agree with it. Even if I get my hands on this guy, I don't even have the guts to take someone's life.

Kali looks in disgust,

"You pussy! You killed your own family...And don't have the guts to kill the person who killed your best friend! When will you grow up... At least, in society's perspective of you, they see you as a man with guts and purpose. No one likes a villain they can't sympathize with."

I questioned him.

"Kali... I'm not a..."

Kali sighs and speaks.

"I'm leaving... The sight of you pisses me off. I've seen enough. You're pathetic."

I said, "Kali, wait! I don't want to lose you again."

Kali looked at me viciously and replied, "Lose me? I have never been with you. You lost me the day you killed my family. You are going to drown in your sin."

As Kali leaves, I am stuck to the ground, looking at my past and wondering when things turn this way.

I felt hopeless. Everyone I need is abandoning me... Tina... Amber... and now from the dead, Kali...