Looking Back to that Summer

C h a p t e r 1

Chapter 1
The Arrival

"Keil!"

"Keil!"

"Nathan Keil!" I called. "Come here now!"

I shouted his name the last time I was calling out. He went towards me on my third call; he was carrying his stuffed turtle and water bottle. I taught him to always bring water along with him whenever he plays, to prevent dehydration. Call me overprotective, I just don't want to risk it.

When we got home from the play park, I started cooking dinner but only after I also finished giving him a bath. I already know what'll happen when I finished cooking; I will be going toward the battlefield of feeding Keil his dinner.

"Mommy, what's for dinner?" He asked. He sat on his chair as I prepared our dinner.

"Fish and veggies." I answered and sat down beside him.

"But mommy," He began. "I don't want that! I want chicken!"

"No." I said. "Let's pray."

He pouted yet joined me in saying our graces.

"Mommy I want chicken!" He complained yet again while holding his stuffed turtle.

"There's no chicken; besides, you've had them yesterday."

"No." He said and avoided the spoonful of dinner I was going to feed him.

We can be commercial models for some local Milk brand, this kind of thing happens every time of ever day, mostly.

"I don't like that, mommy!"

"Eat your food, Keil."

"No."

"Eat your dinner, please."

"No Mommy."

"Keil, you have to eat this."

"No mommy! No!" He said. "I said I want Chicken."

"There's no chicken Keil, they all have flu. They're sick!"

"What? Chicken flu?"

"Bird Flu." I said and unseeingly fed him food.

"Mommy, what's that?" He asked as he chewed loudly.

"The bird flu?" I asked.

He shook his head no while still chewing his food. "No mommy." Keil pointed at my necklace. "That. Did you just wear that now Mommy?"

"Where are your manners?" I asked him.
"Sorry Mommy." He said and chewed his food as normally as he would. It was evident in his face that he was excited to ask me the question again.

"It's so pretty Mommy!" He said and gulped the water I gave his. "You just wore it today?"

I nodded as an answer to his question.
"Mwhy Mwommy?"

"I just wanted to." I smiled at him at pinched his cheek.

"Mommy, who's it from?" This kid, really. So many questions! I feel like I'm in a showbiz talk show. You know, the Ellen or Oprah type of shows or The Buzz or GGV.

"It's a long story baby." I told him.

"Mommy, tell me!" He whined.

"When you become older baby, I'll tell you." I answered. He just crossed his arms and pouted.