Hope and innocence

Chapter 4

"Hello Josh, how have you been?" Mom asked over the phone one day.

"When are you going to come and take me?" Josh asked

"Soon dear, I'll come and take you once eveeything is settled."

Then Becan came on the phone and angrily said  "You're a liar!"

"What are you talking about Becan?"

"You have no intention of coming to take us!" He cried, slamming the phone on the table.

Josh picked up the phone and silently asked "Is that true mommy?"

"No, no Josh. It's just that.... its not time yet. Please understand, mommy loves you." Mom pleaded with him.

"Hello? Reyna? The boys left to play with their friends." Grandma picked up the phone and said, "you should come by soon."

"I will"

~

*2 years later*

"ABBI!" Josh shrieked in delight as he pulled me into his arms.

"Who are you?" I asked, frowning.

"I'm your brother, Josh." He smiled and giggled as he pulled me in for another hug.

"Well this is the first time you two have met in 5 years." Mom said solemnly, "why don't we go have some fun today."

"Okay!!" Josh and I chirped happily.

"How old are you, Josh?" I asked.

"I'm 10 this year, exactly 5 years older than you are."

"Ooohhh."

"Here, have some ice cream Abbi." Josh passed me a badly torn kit kat cone ice cream.

"I'm eating paper!" I shouted happily

"Oh Josh, tear the paper off nicely!" Mom said as she proceeded to tearing off my wrapper.

Josh just stood there and smiled enjoying his own papery tasting ice cream which he has torn for himself.

"Your are all dirty, goodness me." Mom laughed as she used a wet tissue to wipe off the stains off our hands and mouths.

It has been a really good day as we continued to play in an amusement park, eating everything we wanted without being nagged at that is was bad for health or it was too sweet.

"I have to sent you back now Josh" mom pulled out some cash and handed it to him, "use it wisely."

"But I don't want to go! You can take me along too, I'll behave myself and wash my own dishes and fold my blanket. I'll take care of Abbi too and-"

"Josh I know you will be a good kid but we don't have space in the tiny apartment we're staying at. And there is only one bed I'm sharing with your sister."

Josh frowned sadly as I stood there, unable to process what was going on.

~

"Mommy why does Josh have to live somewhere else?" I looked at her

"Because of circumstances,  you'll understand when you're older."