The Child Dreamer

Chapter 9

I just laid my head on Hanson's shoulder. I closed my eyes and just sat there. Hanson started to swing a little bit. I held onto him tightly. I felt a little wind on my face.

"That wasn't as bad as you though Boo Bear. Your parents were nice. And they didn't take you away."

"I want to stay with you Hanson...and Ha-" I just stopped talking. I remember a little dream I had about ice cream and a horse. But that's it. When I woke up I was in the car again, buckled up.

"Hi Lou. Nice nap?" I yawned and rubbed my eyes. Harry unbuckled me and we got out. I held out my arms so Harry could take me in. He let out a breath and picked me up. He took me in and walked me upstairs. He sat me on my bed and walked out. I ran after him. I saw he went into his room. I peeked through the door and there he was having a conversation with himself. "No Hanson! Jeesh! I didn't get your gel. You were in town too! Why didn't you get it yourself?"

I just watched him as he was talking.

"No Hunter. No one asked you anyway." He paused. "Hanson do you like Louis?" He paused again. "What? How can you? He's only 6!" Then he paused longer. He bent down and walked to the other side of the room with another set of bunk beds. I opened the door more. He was just sitting there looking out the window.

"Hunter?" He turned around.

"Go away kid. You're making trouble."

"I'm not doing anything. I swear!" I climbed up the ladder and sat on his bed. I couldn't see his face. I could see his back.

"Hanson's in love with you."

"What's love?"

"It's what a person feels kid."

"He loves me?"

"Ya. He says when you grow up that he'll marry you."

"Can we get married now? It sounds like fun!"

"If you want fun you need to talk to Henry. I'll just be here. And yes Hanson I just told him."

"Hunter. Do you love someone?"

"Nope kid. Not anyone."

"What about your parents?"

"Don't have any. They abandoned me kid. Just like yours did."

"I don't like the man. He looked mean."

"He probably was a drunk."

"What's drunk."

"It's when you drink too many adult drinks."

"Oh. Are you an adult Hunter?"

"Yep."

"Then why do you live here with us in the house? I thought grown ups were supposed to leave home when they are adults."

"Because I'm not fit to live in this world kid. I'm a disgrace."

"Oh."

"Louis Hanson won't shut up about marrying you."

"Why?"

"Because he loves you. A lot."

"Well I love him. And you Hunter." I hugged him.

"Thanks kid. But I think Hanson would want your love more. He says in 10 years you'll be able to marry him. He wants to know if you will."

"I don't know. I'm 6. I don't know a lot of things."

"Sure. Leave kid."

"But I want to stay."