Dedicated

Dedicated Chapter 25:

At the nearby cemetery

-LEVI-

"Hey, Kuchel. I brought your troublesome brat over. Aren't you happy?"

"I am not a brat any more." I said while lighting the candle.

I placed the candle in front of my mother's tomb. I lighted another one.

"Kuchel hasn't seen you for quite a time. She sure misses you."

"I know. Now don't make me feel too bad. I miss her too."

"That's great to hear." Said Kenny.

"Give this to her then tell me what business you have with me." I handed him the bouquet.

"Do it yourself."

I put the bouquet in the center. Then I went back to sit and opened up two cans of beer that Kenny brought with us. I handed one to Kenny.

"Did you think I actually left for good?"

This city's not that big and yet you always seem to be out of my radar.

"Of course I did. You look like one who would do so." He laughed at my answer.

"I was at my friend's yard this past years. It's the address I left you after your graduation. He's sick and dying now. You see, even monsters are no match for old age and illness."

I stared at the field of tall grasses that surrounds the cemetery. A flock of white birds fly up high.

"I still have the address which turns out to be the address of the city mayor's residence. Then what now?"

"He wants to move out. Since it's quiet and unpolluted here, I recommended him to stay here. I was actually thinking of selling the house to him."

His last sentence made me stop from drinking. My nerves pricked up. It took me a few moments to finally question him.

"Are you crazy? Just because you mean it, does not mean that I'll take it easily."

"We have to sell it." He said.

My home.

No.

"Are you out of your mind? Just tell me what is the matter?! There's no way I will let you sell it!"

"You're clinging too much about keeping the house when you can't even live there yourself? You miss this place too much but you can't even come and visit ever since you broke up with that girl of yours and moved somewhere around the city proper. You're not even a thousand miles away from here and yet you can't even bother to get your ass here.

You are a no-to-filth person but you are not cleaning your house over there. And you still won't take over the responsibility of that house's maintenance even when you can already support yourself? Stupid brat!"

I was shaken with that babbling of his.

He may have a point but I have my reason too!

"I planned on living there once I am married but it's just not happening!"

"What an excuse. Then you should have written to me and say that you will take over the house!"

"And how am I supposed to believe that you are actually staying over at the residence of the city mayor?" I asked.

"Tsk. You could've at least tried."