Abe or The Goldfinch

Chapter 14

Earth-4076361

Abe watched from his window as Boris left the house with his suitcase and his mysterious package under his arm. He let a tear run down his cheek and stifled a moan, then closed the curtain.

Evelyn sitting at her desk says -look, I really understand what you're trying to tell me, and we'd like to give you support, but this center doesn't specialize in this type of case-

Amir sitting on the other side of the desk argues -we understand, really...- Rebecca at his side finishes -but since you have children here we think that...-

But Evelyn asks for the floor and clarifies -yes, it's true, but the thing is that all of them come with their mothers... what they ask us is that for any practical purpose, we take custody of that boy, but we...

Amir interrupts her -look, Mrs. Katz, I'm going to be honest with you, the main reason for our insistence is that we already checked other centers that are specific for these cases-

Rebecca takes the floor and argues -those places are horrible, that's the word, they're horrible, they were made for criminals, not for refugees- Amir adds -Boris is no white dove but he doesn't deserve that, if you can't, you'll have to stay with us until we find something else, but...-

The mother says -our son is in poor health, and we would like to be able to focus on him-

Evelyn sighs and answers -I empathize with your situation, really, but we are not the right institution for your boy- Amir asks -at least please, look at the file, maybe you know of another place-

She takes the folder and says -I think the best thing would be to contact his embassy and...- then she is completely speechless when she looks at the photograph in front.

An indescribable feeling took over her completely, not knowing why she got lost in the photograph of the child she had never seen in her life.

A sudden pain took over her head, and suddenly she saw images of a little boy playing a plastic guitar, and a knitted hat.

Amir asks -are you okay?- until that moment Evelyn didn't realize she was crying, she quickly wipes the corner of her eyes and said -I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to me, but hey... I think what's missing here is to see the boy and know his opinion on the matter. What do you think about bringing him?-

Rebecca and Amir look at each other.

Abe arrives at the park and sits on the bench where he met Boris, in Brighton Beach, reminiscing about that night.

When someone sits next to him and says -Hi Abraham, or do you prefer Avram or Ibrahim, whatever you like- it is an older man with a sinister smile.

The boy stands up and starts to walk away, the man says -I'm Lucius Reeve, nice to meet you, see you later- as the boy walks away from the park.

Boris stared at the antique shop, and from the window he could see him, Potter suddenly memories of Las Vegas began to flood through his head, the pool, the movies, school.

Suddenly the wrapped package in his hand felt much heavier, and then other memories began to flood before his eyes, that last night in his room, in the park with Syd and Stan, singing to him in the hospital, that night he met him in the park.

Then Boris knew he had to make a decision...

"Abe or the Goldfinch"

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And that's all for now, there the story of Earth-4076361 stays "for the moment".

I know there are those who won't like it, but if you watch the end of the previous work you'll see that they are consistent.

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Criticism and comments are welcome.