The Forgotten

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Tony walked into his uncle’s home, where he just recently made his home. The house was just like every other house in the block, a simple two-story with a garage. He sat down and waited for the descent of his uncle from his room. Ralph Cliff was sitting behind his desk when he heard the door. He quickly finished up and went down to meet his nephew.

“Morning Uncle Ralph,” he casually greeted

Ralph gestured at the clock and glared at his nephew “It’s past four, Tony, and where have you been?”

Tony shrugged “Around,” he answered and got up, looking toward the kitchen.

“How was your first day today?” Ralph followed him to the kitchen, trying not to think of his dumb luck on how he had to provide for the miserable boy.

“I didn’t make it to school today,” he explained, trying to overlook the disappointed look in his uncle’s face as he searched the fridge for some food.

“Well, where were you then?”

“Around, Uncle Ralph. I’ll go tomorrow” Tony could feel that Ralph didn’t care, somehow he just felt like he was playing a part expected of him.

“If you are going around looking for the Fords, I guarantee you, you are only looking for trouble and I will not try to help you out of this one” Ralph paused and stared at the tall young man in front of him who surprised him by turning around with a smile.

“I know I’m a burden to you, but don’t worry, soon I’ll be out of your way.” He chewed on an apple “one way or another”

            There was something waiting for him in the darkness, in the nothingness, something he had to reach or he would forever be lost. It called out to him but he knew not what it was. Tony tossed in his bed, hearing his own young scream of pain, agony and suffering, feeling the sharp cutting pain on his back. He suddenly opened his eyes to the darkness and turned on the lights, going over to his desk and starting to draw. He planned to draw for the rest of the night, to draw all the images away.

After school, Veronica quickly walked to the tutoring center where she worked. She loved the kids she tutored and loved to put knowledge into someone’s mind. This was what she looked forward to every other day in the weekday. Working three days a week was good for her own good, she was told, but she wanted to work here every day. She sat on the table and did some homework while she waited for the person she was scheduled to tutor. After waiting for about an hour, she decided to check the board for the name of the child who was running so late. ‘It has to be Cody, his mother is late to everything,’ she told herself. But it wasn’t Cody, but a boy named Isaiah. She sat again and laid her head down, after she had gotten a little bored.

            He walked into the tutoring center, and his first instinct was to turn back around and head home. His pride was at stake in this place where the kids were younger than him, and the most humiliating fact was that they were smarter also. He was behind in his studies; not very far behind but he had some work to do. He checked in and was directed to his tutor’s table where he found the tutor deep in sleep. The first thing he felt was annoyance, and with that, he pushed the table, underestimating its weight, and sent the tutor – who he thought was a boy—falling backward with a gasp and a look of confusion crossing her face.

            He walked to her side and helped her up. “My apologies” he said, and was glad she was quiet or many heads would have been turning to their direction. She glared at him and picked up her books “it’s alright.” But she was still sleepy eyed and confused when she turned to realize she was still at work. No, it wasn’t ok, how could he do that all of a sudden. ‘What a jerk’ she thought to herself. “Are you looking for a sibling of yours?” she asked, trying to adjust the situation. He was taken aback by the question, and she was almost certain she saw anger in his face. “No. Actually, I’m looking for table seven”

“That would be me. Is there a problem? Complaint?” She had never gotten any complaints from the guardians of the kids she tutored, though her co-workers sometimes did. Parents unfailingly and always have things to complain about.

“No.” he looked around “I’m looking for a tutor”                   

She gave him a friendly smile “This section is for middle school” “High school is downstairs.”

He let out a breath and sat down “I know. I thought they’d clear this up with you.” He seemed a little annoyed; it looked like it pained him to form more words from that. “I’m getting help from middle school level” he explained.

 She was shocked, embarrassed and sorry at the same time. She could just see how she had unknowingly belittled him.

Isaiah shrugged it off and sat down, then made a gesture for her to sit also. She looked down at her seat, toward him, and then around the center for something she could use as an excuse to leave. “Something wrong?” she could not believe that there were actually hurt in his eyes. “no” she replied, a little flustered by all that had happened but took a seat anyway. Suddenly, she got angered when she saw the humor in his eye. How dare he! She thought, feeling hot temperature at the tip of her ears.

“My name’s Isaiah, what’s yours?” he casually asked.

“Veronica,” just forget about it; it’s ok, move on. “and how old are you?”

“how old do I look?” she imagined a wink to go with that question because of the way he had said it; deeply, calmly, and vibrated through her ears.

“twelve actually” oh my God, that was so unprofessional! He’s gonna report me! I’m gonna get fired! An apology was at the tip of her tongue when he let out an unbelievably short, but serious chuckle that made her shut her lips. “No, I’m probably a good four years older than you, missy”

She gave him a look of disgust and asked him how old he thought she was.

“Fifteen” he answered with an unwavering expression of confidence.

It was then her turn to chuckle, but she did it briefly before realizing she was supposed to take offence. She started packing up her things after looking at the time. Isaiah didn’t miss the look of panic in her eyes; he wanted an answer and was sure she wanted one also, so he wasn’t going to leave it at that. “Where are you going?”

“Home” she answered bluntly. She took note of his raised eyebrow, and was reminded of her father’s. He would be mad, she knew; she didn’t was to go now, but it was inevitable whether she was a minute late or hours late.

Isaiah rose as she rose and gave her a questioning look, trying not to smile at her expression of shock when her face met his chest. He’s no twelve-year old. She stepped back and frowned. “You were late, and that’s not my fault. My shift is over, so goodbye….” She forgot his name.

“Tony,” he said. “Tony” she repeated, and was on her way. She had missed the look of regret in his eyes, as he had just made a mistake.

Hurrying, she walked to the office to sign off. Veronica. Veronica. Veronica. She scrolled down the list of tutors till she found her name, and then sighed out. But it was when she was dropping the pen that she looked up at the roster again and saw the name on it. Isaiah.

She looked back at the guy she had just spoken with, and saw nothing in his expression. He knew what she had realized. Who is he? She thought, not letting any fear overcome her. A glance at the clock made her forget everything else and she took off.