Antoine's Curious Collection of Arbitrary Short Stories

Sugar Sweet

I was exhausted as I walk down the street, moving my feet like a drunken woman out of the tiresome loads of work last night. My vision started to turn hazy, when a kid in a red dress blocked me making me a little bit awake. Her hands were wide open, making sure I don't have any space to get away with. I stopped and just looked at her. We stared at each other for about 5 seconds now. I know I'm supposed to not bother myself with her little games but all I can think of is how this kid looks so carefree and unproblematic. Her face was so young and fresh unlike mine where probably all my current issues are visible just by looking at it.

She put down her hands and took something from her bag. She did it breaking eye contact with me.

"Here," she said, pointing her closed fist at me.

I took whatever the thing she handed without a second thought. I guess, kids have these charms that make you loosen your grip.

"Ah jelly beans, huh," I think out loud.

"Yes but it has conditions," she said without batting an eye.

"Okay?"

I stare at the bean-shaped sugars in my hand which are only divided with two colors; red and yellow. Jelly beans were my favorite candy when i was a kid, I remembered.

"You only have to pick one color," she said to me and I played along.

I nod.

"This candy is no ordinary," she continued.

"The red one will bring you back to your life 10 years ago and the yellow one will bring you to the future 10 years from now, so what would you choose, " she asked a bit impatient mix with worries.

I find it cute when her forehead creases a little.

"I'll choose the red one then, because it matches your dress" I laugh.

"If so, then good luck with your journey, I hope you don't regret it." After that she ran away.

I slump in my bed the moment I get into my apartment. I didn't bother to change my clothes and just lay there. I took the jelly bean in my pocket and ate it. The sweet bursts in my mouth, and the face of the kid crosses in my mind. When I think of it, it somewhat looks familiar, like someone I know or have seen before. I drifted to sleep with the thought.

I woke up to the smell of fried bacon and eggs. My stomach grumbles and I realize that i haven't eaten anything since last night. I walk out of the room barefooted. I can also smell a detergent, someone's washing clothes too? The sound of the machine fills the place together with the laughter of the kids outside.

My eyes squint a little at how bright the room is. The moment i stepped in the kitchen a realization hit me, hard. There she was. A lady with an apron tied at her back, she is busy cooking that she didn't notice me approaching, I hugged the woman tightly that make her flinched.

"I love you, Mom" I said at last.

"I know sweetie, and I love you too, now sit in your chair 'cause the breakfast ready," said Mom a bit teary eyed.

I sat and eat the food she made. How I miss this. How I miss her together with me.

I roamed my eyes to the place, this isn't mine now. There were pictures in the wall, lots of it. What caught my attention is the kid wearing a red dress, beside her was my mother. Was that...me? I drop the spoon I was holding and I was searching it on the floor I realized that my hands became smaller. I look at my mother who's lovingly looking at my direction. She sat at the end of the table, her face looks a bit sad like she was looking at a person she longed to see again, me. I took the spoon and that's now under the table. I saw a bean under there and took it too; a yellow bean. I sat and look at my mother who's now looking at what I'm holding; the bean. Surprise was evident in her face and a mixture of hurt follows.

"Stay here," she said pleading.

A/N Antoine here. If you like my random stories please vote and comment. i would like to hear from you guys.