Yuna Inspired: Our Virtual Family

028

Hugo placed the last box of his belongings onto the ground. He would be living with the Evergreens starting today as a new hire whilst he secretly gathered information about the lady he sought.

Mrs. Sandy Evergreen, Bruce's grandmother, was a short, stubby elderly lady with puffy gray hair. She stood by the door. "Let us know if the room's not to your liking," she said.

"This is more than I can ask for," assured Hugo with a smile.

"It's too small a room for two big boys, but Bruce hardly sleeps here."

"Where does he sleep?"

"In the equipment shed, so he'll be there most nights."

Bruce showed up and hugged his grandma. "Grandpa's looking for you."

Mrs. Evergreen bid the boys goodbye and promised to drop by later to give them drinks.

"Where do you want to put your things?" asked Bruce, ready to help the older man settle.

"Anywhere's fine, actually. I don't have much stuff." Hugo opened his boxes. "Thanks for taking me in."

"What is a city man like you doing here though?" Bruce stopped himself. "Sorry, man. Don't answer that."

Hugo laughed and was glad the question was dismissed. Otherwise, he wouldn't know how to answer.

It took the men less than an hour to complete the move-in since Hugo didn't have much. Putting the bed together took the longest, but thankfully, it wasn't as hard as it sounded. Once the boys were done, they sat at the edge of the bed.

Hugo took out his phone and turned it on and was surprised to see his lock-screen. He forgot that he had changed it this morning. He had a smile, but it didn't last long.

"Who's that?" asked Bruce, referring to the lock-screen picture.

Hugo gave his phone to the younger boy. "My brother. And...his son."

Bruce looked at the picture, which showed a boy and a baby sleeping together. The little boy had his hand rested on his dad's palm. He asked, "Where's the mommy?"

Hugo felt a sting in his heart and realized the young boy was referring to the virtual mom. "She-she doesn't like her pictures taken. She snuck this one of them last night and sent it to me."

"I thought your brother's still in high school?"

"He is."

"And he's married?"

"He's a baby himself too, but the girl he's got is mature for her age."

There was a long silence.

Hugo grasped it was his fault for the silence. Days ago, he had found out that the boy beside him had a huge crush on a girl back in the city and because the boy wanted to grow up fast to become a man worthy of her, he moved to the countryside to become a proper man. Hugo apologized.

"Nah, it's cool." Bruce brushed it off. "Don't worry 'bout it."

"What kind of girl is she?" Hugo decided to ask since they were on the topic already.

"She's sweet. Playful. And thoughtful. Oh, and bubbly. She was shorter than me, so I thought she was younger. I didn't feel anything for her until she caught me stealing one day and instead of turning me in, she gave me a long lecture. But she never insulted me. Or found me disgusting. She only wished for one thing. For me to think of my future." Bruce sighed. "Me, who attracted trouble every day, had a future? I laughed and mocked her, but she was serious. Since then, she's my only motivation."