Sevens

Chapter six

The kid and I sit there in the same position with me crying into his arms until I realize how selfish I'm being. This kid just got doomed to Sevens, there's no getting out of this place. And here I am expecting him to be strong for me.

"Hey, kid, why don't you tell me your name."
"Josiah," he says.
"Well hello Josiah, I'm Amaro. Do you mind telling me how old you are?"
Josiah holds up four fingers. The kid is four, and they've already found a reason to send him to Sevens. They make me sick.

"Josiah do you know why they've sent you here?"
"They said I had anger. Like my brother,"

For a second I sit blank, before I realize who Josiah is. Four years ago, before Harley was taken away, his mother conceived a child. I remember being so attached to that baby because, well I loved kids. When Harley left, his mother was convinced that I was to blame for his charge so I was no longer allowed to come visit. I didn't see that baby again for years, until now.
She named that child Josiah.

"Do you remember your brother," tears form on the brim of my eyes for the third time this week. God I've become sensitive.

Josiah shakes his head in the manner that a little kid would, "I've never met him."

He's never even met Harley and they've already accused the kid of anger. I knew our society was ridiculous but never did I ever think they would punish a kid for the actions of his brother whom he had never met.

"Josiah are you sure that's why they sent you here?Did any of the big men tell you that it's your brother's fault?"

Josiah shrugs. Why did I think a four year old would have any better of an idea as to why he's here than me?

"Okay, so you're going to be here forever I guess. Let's see if I can get you into the same tent as me."

Josiah smiles at me and I notice that one of his teeth are missing. I know for a fact that everything in Janlea is planned, and children only start losing teeth at the age of six.

"Josiah how did you lose that tooth?"

"Daddy took it out last week, or night, I don't know what it is. But it was my fault, I was playing with the lady that cleans son."

It would only ever be in Janlea that it would be socially acceptable for a father to beat his children based on the fact that the child is playing with a kid of a lower income bracket.

"Josiah," I say as I bend down and steady his shoulders, "Now you listen, I don't care what it was your daddy said. Nobody is anymore special than another person. We've got to treat everyone like we'd want to be treated. Okay?"

Josiah smiles, "It's like when Kelsey didn't want to share her Cheetos. So then when she wanted Cheetos and I had some I remembered how I felt when she didn't share her Cheetos so I shared with her,"

"See you get it already. Smart kid," I ruffle Josiah's hair a little. His immediate instinct to flatten it out makes me giggle a little. I can already see this kid bringing life into my world.

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Josiah's constant need to point out the flaws of Sevens should annoy me instead it brings out more sadness and realization. I've been ignoring details, blurring out my reality. It's easier that way. But now with Josiah pointing out every single detail I made sure to miss, there's no way to get around it anymore I guess.