Fourth of July

Chapter 2

"Gee was most likely a victim of kidnapping," the officer said. "And judging by his health--both mental and physical--he was most likely kept in a locked room the entire time all alone. It's seen sometimes in kidnap victims, If they aren't exposed to anything new they have a child mentality because that's how they were raised. He was probably all alone in an empty room all day, poor guy."

"When was he kidnapped?" I asked.

"My best guess is when he was about a year old," she said. "He doesn't seem to know his own name, Gee was probably just a nickname for him from his parents and his kidnapper just continued with it."

"So you're going to find his family?" I asked.

"Yes but it'll probably take a little while," she said. "Will he be staying with you?"

"W-with me?" I asked.

"I know this isn't the usual situation but this has never happened before and we don't have anywhere to house him and he seems to have become quite attached to you," she said.

"Yes, that's fine," I said. "I can keep him for a little bit I guess."

"Frankie?" A voice asked quietly and I looked over at Gee, who had been playing with his toys in the corner. "I have to go potty."

"It's down the hall," I said.

Gee whined, tugging on my sleeve.

"Do you want me to take you?" I asked and he nodded. "Alright, excuse me, officer."

I took Gee to the bathroom and we came back. I talked with the lady for a little bit longer before we went back home.

"Alright, do you want to watch some cartoons?" I asked.

Gee didn't say anything, sitting down on the couch.

"Actually, we should probably take you shopping, you're gonna need some clothes," I said.

Gee whined unhappily as we were back into the car. When we got to the mall he was fascinated as he looked around.

"Wow, this is the biggest place in the world!" He cheered.

Gee held my hand as we walked to a store where it looked like he would shop. He shrieked happily as he looked at all of the pretty dresses and skirts. Gee picked out some clothes and I bit my lip as I looked at my wallet. It was going to hurt but Gee needed clothes.

"So pretty!" He cheered.

"Oh, Gee, that one's too expensive," I said.

"What does that mean?" He asked.

"You see this little number on the paper thing?" I asked and he nodded. "You have to get the ones with smaller numbers."

"Smaller than Five-Four?" He asked.

I looked at the fifty-four dollar dress and nodded.

"This one," he said. "Seven-one. Look, one is littler than four."

"No, the first number has to be smaller," I said.

Gee nodded and picked out a few more things before I paid for it. We passed by a store and he whined, pulling me into it. I frowned softly as he dragged me around the baby store.

"Look at this little baby blanket, I want it," he said. "And the sippy cup and the paci."

I bit my lip. "That's fine, let me pay for it and then we'll go home."

I paid for all of the things he wanted and I hurried him back to the car before he could ask for anything else. Gee played with his lamb happily until we got home and he hurried inside.