DNA - ON HOLD

Chapter four

  Going to the store with Ashton was.. interesting. The boy kept pointing at random things and asking what they were along with several other questions that made some people glare and gives strange looks at us.  He wanted to touch everything he could see and buy everything. The citizen of this city are so stuck up. Can't they mind their own business and do their fucking grocery shopping without being nosy? 

''What this?'' asked Ashton, pointing to an apple. 

''It's an apple,'' I replied. 

''Need?'' 

I shook my head. ''Not these one. Pick the ones in the next basket.''

He nod and took a few apples, putting them in the cart and waiting behind it as I looked at some other fruits we could buy. Ashton's in charge of the grocery cart and he promised he wouldn't leave it. I had to give him that responsibility so I wouldn't lose him in the grocery store. 

At this point, we had bread, fruits and vegetables, drinks and now we're off to the biscuits section of the store. As I was looking at the biscuits selection available, I heard a gasp followed by Ashton's giggle. I turned on my heels and saw the boy stuck his tongue at the elder lady who was beyond insulted by Ashton's gesture. I wanted to roll my eyes and laugh at the scene. Old people are do dramatic..

''Ashton,'' I scolded. ''Don't to that, it's impolite.'' 

''Sorry-y Lukey..'' he apologized, looking down.

''Who taught you that?'' I asked him. He bite his lip, unsure if he should say it and betray the person. ''Is it Mikey?'' 

He nodded. ''Yes.'' 

I chuckled at the boy's honesty. Michael shouldn't teach him things like that because Ashton can't lie for a living. He's such a good boy. 

''Now please behave and don't do that to stranger. Some people are not as nice as Michael and I, okay.'' 

Fifteen minutes later, we were done and racing to the checkout counter. The alley was free so I told Ashton to climb on the end of the cart and hold  tight on the metal grid. Once I was sure he was secured, I gripped the handlebar and started running, startling the boy a little. After a few seconds, I put my feet on the bottom on the cart and let us roll freely to the queue as Ashton giggle.

''Again, again,'' he giggled, clapping his hand together. 

''Look at him,'' I heard someone say, pointing at Ashton as we were waiting in the queue to pay.

Anger grew inside me as the made fun of my robot-boy.

''He's handicapped, he talk so stupid,'' laughed the blonde.

''He isn't handicapped,'' I retorted, taking them by surprise.

The guy with short brown hair rolled his eyes. ''He acts and talk like a two years old. I think this is called being autistic. I know this because I am studying mental health in college, maybe you could bring him to my class one day? We have study days and-''

Who does he think he is for talking about Ashton like that? I don't care if he is studying mental health or not. He can't say thing like that so strangers. That's just rude and uncalled-for.

''Ashton's not autistic. He's a normal boy. Now if you'd excuse me, we have other things to do than listening to your accusations and thoughts about my friend.'' 

  The curly haired robot-boy was sitting in the living room, watching the television as I put the groceries in the cupboards and fridge. I would have asked him to help me but there's some fragile thing in the grocery bags like eggs or thin plastic containers of berries that can easily spill on the floor if you drop them.