~Ours~

Poisoned Piece: Chapter 3

It was February 18, my birthday. I was so excited to spent time together with my family, but another thing happened. Mother bought me new shoes which never fits me. It was too tight. I looked at it, and it seemed it was from a garage sale worth less than ten dollars. We ate silently, and all I could hear was the sound of the fork clanging on the porcelain plate. Spaghetti sauce stained my shirt; mother just looked at it and never bothered to say: wipe it or I’ll wipe it for you.

I took the napkin with my small hand and wiped it by myself. Mother didn’t greet me, or maybe she forgot to say happy birthday Achilles. As we went home, while mom holds my hand I sang “Happy Birthday” silently.

Then it was father’s turn to celebrate my birthday. It was fun, he brought me to his favorite bar while I stared at the colorful lights moving and dancing on the ceiling down to the shiny floor. While my father talked to the female bartender I tried to step on the moving lights like I was catching it.

Father stood and went to a small stage greeting me a happy birthday using the microphone. I stood in happiness looking at my father. Finally, someone greeted me, I thought at that time. He hugged me and introduced me to his friends. An old man gave me money, I forgot how much it was but I was holding a lot.

Dad took it from me and ordered another beer. When he received the change he gave it to me. Coins are enough for me.

----♪-----

I look at the mirror and it seems I’m looking to another person with a brown tired looking eyes. A person with short but thick hair. No more hairs on my chin and my cheeks. Studying my face makes me smile, guess Jennifer will love how I’m looking now.

“Cool,” Joshua exclaimed. Now, I and Joshua got the same hair style.

“What do you want to eat?” I asked him, as he kept adoring my hair.

“Pizza!”

I nodded and we ate at Subway. When we got home Jennifer was so happy, as predicted, looking at my new hair. She tells me that I look younger. I just laugh.

Now, we’re alone in her room. She plays my hair using her fingertips, and told me something I didn’t hear.

“I said get your guitar and sing a song for me.”

I nodded.

I congratulated Mr. Jones again when late evening came. As always, we’re on the front porch while Jennifer is sleeping in her room. He take a sip of coffee, as I clutch the empty bottle of Pepsi.

“I don’t think it’s an easy job for me to look at those boys and my daughter,” he said, “probably my time for Jen will be short to compare to those boys.”

I nodded and said, “I can take care of Jen.”

“But how long?”

I became silent of what he asked me. I couldn’t answer that.

“Sorry kid,” he said, “you must pursue your treatment or else---“

He didn’t finish his line. I just gave him a sigh and that’s it.

“I am waiting for the cure,” I said wearily, “but I know it’s impossible. But I’m still hoping. That is all I can do. To wait for nothing.”

He closes his eyes, like he let the words sink into his mind.

“While you are here, I’ll be thankful. But always remember your limitations.”

Yes, limitations that stop me from doing what I wanted.

“Jen will know what you are keeping soon, and you must be prepared. Pretending that you’re alright is not worthy. You must be ready of what you’ll say to her, or you’ll going to tell her as early as it could be. She will listen to you. Only you can do it.”

“I hope so. But it’s not the right time to tell everything or even the word dying. I’m afraid that she might leave me.”

“Ah, fear indeed stops the pursuit of happiness. Yes, it depends when you try to tell someone the truth. She might feel betrayal. Sometimes you’ll going to lie for the betterment of your love ones. Lying can be helpful tool to keep secrets.”

“She made me happy,” I told him, “I couldn’t leave her. Death won’t stop me.”

And I realized that I gave a stupid remark. Death can stop me.

“I know. That’s why you should continue your treatment, even how expensive it is. It would slows down the virus. I’ll help you to pay the treatment.”

“You shouldn’t do that; it’s too much Mr. Jones.”

Yes, it is too much, the treatment may prolong my life but soon I’ll die. Soon I’ll leave Jennifer. Soon I’ll leave the life that gave me bitter experiences. I am a man who is poisoned, curse and exiled. I took a deep breath as I sunk my face into my hands.

-----♪-----

Two days after my birthday, Jonathan brought me to a place that I didn’t know. He told me, he’ll give me a gift. A belated birthday gift. I was so excited what it was, so I keep on smiling at that time. Mr. Jonathan wore a garment that made me laugh, he looked like something on a TV show, or something from a magazine. He wore shiny, colorful but unusual.