Living Dead | Onhold

chapter twelve

Milton's story:

"when I was five years old," Milton started, "I went to a kindergarten called Seeds of tomorrow."

I nodded, thinking it was a weird name for a kindergarten.

"It came out at twelve and my mom was always busy... my dad too. That's why I had to go to an aftercare in the Roman Catholic church."

"You went there?" I asked excitedly, "me too!"

"I know," he paused, "at that time, my parents were not yet Catholics. But when I was seven, my mom found saving and eventually, they became Catholic. Long story short, watch my memory."

I nodded and watched as the memory of Milton's five year old unfolded.
~~~~

I saw the five year old Milton crying in the bathroom, when a colored girl with two curled ponytails ran in. She had her back towards me

"Milton," she whispered, "it's almost your turn. Why are you crying?"

"Do you know the girl Ms Berry?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"I tried practising, but I couldn't." The young Milton replied.

"Why not?" She asked.

"My parents were so busy they couldn't help me," he continued crying, "and at bedtime, i still knew nothing."

"Okay," she got up and ran to the door to check the coast. When she was certain no one was there, she turned back and walked back towards Milton. As she turned, i realised the irony in Milton's question.

"Now do you know her?" He asked again, standing besides me in the dark.

I nodded, my eyes bloodshot and not blinking. Horror written in my face as the young innocent girl knelt besides the young vulnerable Milton.

"She's me," i whispered as tears suddenly gave themselves a way down my cheeks.

The young me said to Milton, "don't be sad," she wiped his tears, "my mom says if you cry your eyes will be swollen. So don't you cry Milton." She took a wrapped candy out from the pocket of her pink Hello Kitty skirt, "here you go."

He took it and looked at her, "won't i get in trouble?"

"You will," she said, "but my mom helped me practise so..." she paused and smiled, "I'm gonna help you."

"Really?" His cheeks reddened.

"Yep," she got up, "now get up!" He did as instructed, "now, you're gonna repeat after me..."

~~~~
"You see Ms Berry, for some reason... you've always had a way to come into my life. All this time. It's been you."

"It's been me?"

"Yes." He said, "who knew that in my after life, I'd be stuck here with you."

~~~~

"When I was about eight, i had an eye problem, so I moved to a closer school. St Paul primary school. Don't worry.... you didn't make your way to me by then," he paused and laughed, "I was just giving you the 'reason' to my nerdy look" he laughed again.

"You made your way to me when I got to high school. On my first day, and for quite some time after that."

"Really?" I asked.