Hiding Behind a Mask

Chapter 34- What Really Happened Back Then

When you live on a farm you tend to wake up before the sun does. That's how Keith feels every time. When his parents wake up and move around it's usually a little dark out. They get to bed at about eight and wake up at five. That's the daily routine, wake up, get to work, sleep. Sometimes they go off to the farmers market and all, but that's rare.

Since it was Texas they rarely got snow. It was always great weather for growing crops and raising animals.

Keith liked living where he did. He went to a small school, a few friends, and a great family. He was probably the luckiest kid around, no...he knew he was the luckiest.

"Keith?" A calm voice tried waking him up that morning. "Keith, sweetie. 지금 일어나. " She spoke in her native tongue. Keith's eyes flicker open and smiles at her.

"Morning Eomma." He said sweetly. She helped him up.

"Good morning sweetie." She said. Her big hazel eyes lock onto his violet ones. "Come down and eat."

"Kay." He got up and followed her down. He sees his father and runs up to him.

"Morning Appa."

"What're you doin up?" He asks in a playful voice. "Thought you were sittin out today." Keith giggles.

"No! I'm helping!"

"Oh ya think so?" He asks. Keith nods. "Nah, I don't think yer strong enough." He said, Keith looked offended.

"I am!" He pouts. "I'm the strongest kid in school!"

"You're eight." His mom spoke up."

"So? I fought that Jones kid and WON! And he was twelve!" Keith said in a proud voice. His mom gave him a look of disapproval, his dad pats his head.

"That's ma boy!"

"Darrel... I don't think we should be supporting that kind of behavior."

"Come on Hyun-Jung." He smiles at his wife. "Keith was showing this kid who's in charge."

"Me!"

"Keith I say protecting yourself is okay, however you shouldn't fight people just because you feel like it."

"Why not?"

"Cause that's rude. Fight someone when they hurt you." She said. "Okay sweetie?"

"I guess." He pouts. "Can I ride the horses today?"

"If we get done early." His dad said while calmly eating.

"Yay! Let's go now!"

"Finish eating." His mom points out. Keith groans and went back to eating. Hyun-Jung smiles in victory, then coughs a bit.

"Sweetheart sit down. It'll get worse if you walk around ya know." He scolds, she only rolls her eyes and sat down. Keith stares at his mother, she's been real sick lately. He doesn't know what it was, but she told him not to worry about it.

Keith watched his dad fix the roof on the chicken coop. He handed him all the tools he needed. Keith wished he could help fix things but since he was eight he couldn't help out.

"Hand me the screwdriver."

"Okay." Keith hands it to him. "Hey Appa?"

"Hm?"

"Why did the chicken coop break?"

"Cause damn wild dogs came in and tried takin a few of our chickens. The fuckers got a few of em."