Never Go To Neverland

Birthday Surprise

Slipping through the door I listened for any movement from my father. The TV was on and I could hear my father snoring. Going upstairs I changed from my "clean" clothes to my regular ones. Choosing my plain blue shirt and a pair of black cargo pants I slipped them on rolling up the long sleeves. A habit I got from my Mother. She told me she liked at least a little of her skin to feel the air.
Tiptoeing down the stairs I searched through my bag finding the bag of buns. Looking in the fridge revealed some cheese and hot rods. I can work with this. Grabbing what I assumed was a clean plate (it was the only one in the cupboard but at my house you can never really tell) I began to cut the hot road and cheese in to pieces. Scraping the last of the butter I put it on my fathers bun. Just for good measure I put it in the microwave.
I gently woke my father up a couple of minutes later. I guided him to his chair and served him his food. Sniffling he picked at his food. I sat across from him and watched while eating an apple. Taking a breath I asked, " Can I go to the river later?". My father looked up in surprise and said" Oh, it's your birthday." Yeah, he kind of got like that. I nodded. He shrugged his shoulders. I took this as a sign of agreement even if he probably didn't care.

A couple of hours after I got him to watch TV again I left. Tonight I wore my mother's favourite jacket. It was a brown leather jacket. It made me feel safe and warm.
The river was my mother's favourite spot in all of London. They had a couple of benches where you could just relax. I liked to come here on my birthday. Every single birthday to be exact. Shivering against the cold I checked my watch. Quarter after ten. Sometimes I stayed here till midnight.
Well actually before midnight. My father didn't like that time insisting that's when shadows come out. Sitting down with a sigh I wondered about my mother. As much as I loved her I started to forget what she was like. I was only ten.
Looking up at the sky I closed my eyes. " I'm sorry for stealing again Mother. I know you never wanted that for me. But it's so hard to get anything else around here. Singing at street corners is starting to seem undignified. Working at the laundromat for clean clothes is ridiculous.
The only job I enjoy is Mr.Adams but I can't stay there all the time. I have school. Oh, which reminds me. I did well on my physics test. 92%. I remember you loved physics and how things worked all around us. I kind of quit archery. Please don't be mad. I didn't have enough time on my hands anymore. The coach was pissed. Guess he didn't like losing his best archer."
I chuckled to myself then sighed. " Mother? Father is getting worse. He forgot my birthday. He is paranoid each night and drugs himself into oblivion. I had to hide in the locked bathroom five times this week. I know you don't want this for me or him. Please do something. Please anything. I love you... See you later."
Standing up I looked up again. Turning around, a scream lodged in my throat. According to the way the lamp light was facing my shadow should be in front of me.
Staring at it for what seemed like ages, it finally gave me a little wave. I stood in total shock. Without even thinking I waved back. Finding my voice I asked it," Are you my shadow?" surprising myself with the curiosity. It shook its head. Straightening myself, I said, "Let me guess, your Peter Pans shadow?". It nodded its head. I guess it didn't know what sarcasm was.
Wait a minute! Peter Pans shadow? "That isn't possible. Peter Pan doesn't exist." I replied. It shook its head and pointed towards the sky. "You come form the sky?" I questioned.
I am now really confused. It shook its head and pointed again. It took me a moment to realize it was pointing at the stars.
" Second star to the right..." I mumbled to myself. I looked back at it to find it nodding quicker. Ok I'm done.
" Um... that's nice and everything but I should really be getting home now... it was a pleasure to meet you Mister...uh... shadow sir." I stammered turning around on my heel. I've gone completely mad! A shadow? Really? Is my fathers...condition... hereditary? Looking back the shadow waved goodbye. I waved back kind of nervously before turning around and sprinting the rest of the way home.