Going Home Page 9

  They were thirsty so it was time to look for a terrace and Ethan went out with his vouchers to find some goodies, it became a Smurfen ice cream and a lollipop. The two elders kept it with a Cola with a Nuts. While they were sitting there they noticed that the word “mama” had not fallen all day, apparently they did so well with their little brother that his attention did not go out there anymore.

  Straight across the zoo was a miniature railway line on which a train with a locomotive in front was driving. Children could ride on it. You could “buy” a ticket there and a real conductor cut a hole in it and then you were only allowed to board. The machinist was dressed in blue overalls with a cap on, he had oil stains on his face and with an oil spout he lubricated the locomotive. That intrigued Ethan in particular, like most boys of course, and they were not so good or they all three stepped in - it took Zach with his long body a lot of trouble to fold up - and after a whistle they walked so through the whole zoo. With every crossing of a path, the operator whistled very emphatically. They came everywhere, even through a tunnel and the kids enjoyed and screamed, just great.

  Ethan could not get enough of it: “Once more,” he shrieked. The engineer saw that he was wearing a party hat and asked “Are not you birthday?” Ethan nodded. “How old are you then boy?” “Six” said that pride and put a full hand and one finger up to make it clear again. “That’s nice” said the driver “Then you’re old enough to sit with me in front of the locomotive, because you’re celebrating your birthday!” And there he went on the locomotive with the driver and he was also allowed to steer too! Totally proud and Zach and Merry saw the scene laughing by.

  So the afternoon passed very well and they all enjoyed it. “What would you like to eat, Ethan?” Merry asked. “Pancakes” came out very convincingly. So there was set course to the Smulpaleis and they looked for a nice spot under a beech and studied the menu. For the little ones there was a special card with lots of pictures and Ethan studied them carefully, “I want that” he said and pointed to a Pirate pancake. So that was ordered and for Merry a pancake with ginger and Zach chose the farmers pancake. The drinks were brought in anticipation of the food and after some time it was delivered and the great feast could begin.

  The Pirate pancake was not just a pancake, no, there was an eye patch and a stitch with a skull. He looked dangerous, but he never did it again! It was a great success, but after a while he wanted to go home. “Want to play with the gift!” He announced, so they went there again. At home Zach could not ignore it to assemble the racetrack and a little later the Hot Wheels flew through the room. It took a long time before he collapsed and obviously had to go to bed. He put the map of the zoo under his pillow and with his eye patch he finally fell asleep at the end of a beautiful day!

  Secret

  It was eight o’clock in the evening on Friday night, Chad and Merry’s service was over and they would go out together now. They dress, Merry put on a nice black dress for this occasion and put on high heels. The leather jacket finished off nicely, Chad had put on a nice sweater over his jeans and put on a baseball jacket. They got on the bikes and there they went. First they would go to a Thai restaurant and then go to the disco.

  They stepped into the THAI WORLD Thai restaurant just off Annapolis Road and were kindly received by a nice Thai servant who took their jackets and pointed them to a table by the window. She took their orders, Merry held it at iced tea while Chad ordered a beer. They looked around, very coincidentally the interior was predominantly black, but alternated with red tones and of course the necessary Thai details. They immediately felt at home and studied the menu. For Merry, this was the first time she would eat Thai, so she led Chad who had been here with his parents more often.

  The choice of Merry finally fell on Jackdaw Lard Nah Kai Prik which was as much as fried chicken with mixed vegetables in spicy sauce and that of her table companion on Chew Pad A La Bangkok or fried rice with mixed meat. In the meantime, Chad did his best to make an impression as befitting a man, and Merry heard it all patiently, that’s how it should be. But soon the roles were reversed and when the food came they were really already deeply engrossed and the food could actually be stolen.

  But the food was just for them and soon they enjoyed the special and delicious food. So late after work it tasted even better and moreover they were both still young so they like it! They ordered a second drink and the atmosphere became more and more relaxed. As a dessert they took ice cream and still talked extensively with each other. Chad went to pay and brought Merry a rose that he gave her. She did not know anything, but thanked him with a kiss.

  It took a lot of effort but they really had to go to the disco now, so they went back on their bikes, where Chad allowed herself to take her hand sometimes. (No this was not taken as #metoo) The porter of the disco let them in and soon you could find them on the dance floor where they enjoyed the music of the local DJ. So they went on for hours and we do not have to give details, you as a reader still know how you did that in your younger years.

  It was after two o’clock at night that they left the disco and cycled towards Teal Lane 13. When we arrived there, we said goodbye, of which we can say that it was clear that it was a good thing between the two. This simply required a follow-up.

  Zach looked annoyed out of the Merry and Chad window, which had already gone out for the second time. They really had the taste. After the first time Merry had returned to the cheeks with red blushes and Zach did not have to ask how it had been. “Oh Zach, it was only, it’s a really nice boy, he’s cute! We enjoyed it so much “she coughed like an adolescent in love, what she really was with her sixteen years! Zach had not said much, except that he had liked it for her, but his eyes were very dark.

  And now she was already on the road again, leaving him there, and she expected as if it were normal for him, Zach, to take care of their little brother again. But that was not the worst: could she keep their secret to themselves? He was very worried about that, because what would not happen if they found out that the three of them lived there as minors? He did not dare to think about it. And Merry seemed so in love with him that he would not be surprised if she threw it out once. That could happen so easily. Of course, that Chad would also be curious about her home situation and then one word could easily elicit the other.

  It was not that he did not trust Merry, but she was only a man and actually only a teenager and then also a loving teenager who was now frolicking with her boyfriend and letting him sit here, to worry. He blamed her for going out and leaving him alone. Zach looked out the window again and involuntarily he saw the youth care already standing at the door … He shook off that bad thought and went to Ethan and set up the race track with him. He had to get rid of those thoughts, otherwise he would go crazy!

  Zack looked at Netflix when finally the door opened and Merry walked in with a heavenly look. “There I am again” she called cheerfully to her brother. “Fine, where have you been this time?” “Back to the disco of Center for the Performing Arts, it’s so nice!” Was her answer and she plopped down on the couch next to her brother. “What are you looking at?” “The sequel of Elementary, from Sherlock Homes,” Zach replied “Always nice” Merry wanted to get ready to go to sleep, but Zach wanted to ask her about it “Say Merry you also have our situation? “She flew to her feet and looked at him with flaming eyes.” Of course not, I’m not crazy! How can you think that? You know me! There is no word about my lips, I just said that mom is on a business trip, nothing more. Strange that you think so from me! “She actually said very badly to her dearest brother. “Sorry, but I only sit here and I have to keep thinking about it. That youth care thought just makes me crazy! “

  “Understand Zach, but please do not get such things in mind, you can really trust me. Only when we want it together will I tell Chad, but even better if we ever do that together. I promise. But it is not that far yet, we are now only stepping on. We will see what happens next. Will take him to introduce h
im to you, then you can also form a picture of him “see them more quiet” Do you want a beer? Then we drink something together “and she grasped it firmly and confidently. Zach looked at her gratefully and gave a squeeze in her arm.

  Merry was at work so Zach was playing with his brother again. They had already eaten and before he could go to bed could still be played with the racing cars. They flew through the racetrack and of course they also flew out of the corner and then the search was in which corner of the room that had ended up. They were so engrossed in their game that they were startled when there was a lot of noise. Zach opened his hair with tangled hair and his mouth fell open: Miss Megan was standing in front of the door with another woman. What struck him midway was that Megan suddenly had orange hair, it hurt his eyes and he drew back.

  “Young man, we want to talk to you” and before he realized it she misused his startle reaction and stepped inside, immediately followed by the other woman. They just walked past him as if he were air. He watched with open mouth how they casually stepped into the room. “Hello Ethan, we’re coming to visit you,” it sounded. Zach slowly came back to his positives and walked into the room where he saw the ladies looking into the room in astonishment. He watched them and then saw what they saw, of course, that it was a big mess.

  The wall with the drawing that Ethan and Merry had made on the wall stood out prominently, yes, it was very special. And then that kitchen, the counter full and the sink with a stack of plates, everywhere toys, benches and chairs lay across the room and the pillows everywhere. And the TV was pretty hard. The table was strewn with computers, laptops and so on, there was no empty spot to be seen. Somewhere it was still there that still had to go upstairs and that were just the big things they saw. The overall impression was - and that was what Zach saw now - that it only had something of a normal household.

  “Young man, what is this” came true “Where is your mother, we want to speak to her!” “Ladies” finally came out of his mouth “Please sit down.” Hesitantly they met his request after removing some pillows. and have knocked the dust off. “Miss Megan, I know you, of course, but who brought you?” “This is Miss Jane, who will soon be Ethans new teacher at the Whitehall Elementary School. In the context of my transfer, I asked if she came along. You do not object to Zach, do you? “She said with a look that it went straight through Zach, like a knife through the butter. “No, no, of course not. Pleasant to meet you Miss Jane “he tried to be friendly and gave her a hand. “But what is the reason for your coming?”

  “You probably understand that, as I just said, we just want to speak to your mother. It is unacceptable to me, for us, that she has not contacted me during all these weeks despite the numerous requests I have made. “Slowly, Zach had regained his senses and was amazed at the way and tone of this bunch of teachers. . Not just anymore? “Miss Ethan, ladies, my sister Merry has always kept you informed of the fact that my mother cares for a sick relative who is dying. Death can not be sent, so it’s longer for the patient than they thought and that’s why she can not come back and she can not call. You do not want her to call you next to a dying person? We have told you that and we, Merry and I, are old enough to fit Ethan. “

  “Yes, you are right that Merry has reported it to me,” she said hesitantly. “Well then we have to wait. But Zach, look around you. Do not you see what it looks like? If your mother finds it that way when she returns, you have a big problem! “Zach had to swallow:” There’s a point, we have to do something about that. We have to make sure she does not get scared. “They looked at each other, it was the silence of an armed peace.

  “Say Zach, now that we are here I would really like to help you to bring Ethan to bed. He always tells that he has such a nice room. Is not that a nice idea to take a look at him? “He looked at her and thought brutality had no limits? But yes, refusing to make her only more suspicious. “Nice idea, will we do that directly? It is actually bedtime for him. Ethan are you coming? Then we brush your teeth and go to bed, but first you can show Megan your room.”

  Miss Jane waited downstairs as they went upstairs, but she did not sit still, no on the contrary. She dived directly on the computer, laptops and tablets, removed a USB stick from her pocket and began making a copy of all files like a raging one. You would not expect the skill with which she did that directly from a school teacher, but she could do something about it. She had long been demonstratively reading a newspaper when her colleague Megan came down with Zach. “Did he have a nice room” asked Jane made interested? “Well, sure, it looks very nice. Shall we go, then we will no longer disturb Zach “now came more kindly from Megan’s mouth. And there they went, with one last look at the room. That did not escape Zach “Ladies, I wish you a nice evening and Megan, thank you for your advice for the room. We will take care of it, “he added hypocritically. He looked after them …. would they have something in the eye?

  The door was not closed yet or Megan was back in front of his face. “One last question, Zach, will not you have any objection that I will come by tomorrow at about noon to discuss something with your sister Merry? You know about women things, things you do not know so much about. “And without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked out of the fence to her colleague Jane, who was waiting on the sidewalk.

  Found Out?

  In panic he called his sister Merry at the Sport World gym. “We were discovered” he called in her cell phone and she was startled. She had not seen her brother like that before. “What’s going on?” In short, Zach told him what happened to him. “And tomorrow she comes to you! At twelve o’clock she is here at the door. That Megan is just a viper. It is simply unbelievable. Just a little while and the Youth Care is imminent and we are being taken away, apart from each other and who knows where to go and in what circumstances. I’m already mad at the thought !! ”” Zach, please do not be so panicky. I think about it and after my service I come to you as soon as possible. Then we think what! “With that promise, the telephone conversation was completed and Zach sank down on the couch for the umpteenth time.

  It is bizarre, he thought for the umpteenth time, in what kind of situation mom has left us here: no money, nothing to be aware of, a lot of debts if we are not careful, annoying schoolgirls and if we do not pay attention everyone gets involved with us and we have been handed over to the gods! He thought of their little brother now lying there in his bed with an eye patch on, quiet and happy, not knowing what danger there was hanging over his little head. For the same money he was tomorrow in a children’s home with cruel fathers or even worse nuns who could use him for their own pleasure! He shivered at this thought. And where would Merry end up? If she was sensible, she would go into hiding tomorrow at the gym or possibly with that friend Chad, but better than with a foster father who would abuse her. He himself would run away quickly and permanently live internally at the University, but he would not let himself be taken to an orphanage or foster family, no never !!

  He was shocked, you will have Merry, he heard the front door slam. A moment later she came in with, to his again mute surprise, an unknown woman.

  “What is that?” He asked surprised. “You will explain it. This is Amaia and she is a friend of ma, Carolyn. They are friends through The Mint Leaf. I’ve got to know her a lot lately. “Zach looked at her in surprise, she and Merry joined him and Merry continued,” We’ve come up with a plan … “Zach interrupted her.” Do you have her …… “. “Yes, Zach, I broke my promise and informed her about the situation. She already knew that mom had run away, so that was not news for her. This is an emergency and we have to act quickly “

  And they began to explain to him their plan to get out of this difficult situation. He looked at them dazedly when he heard the details and asked “Are you sure this will work?” “Well, certainly, nothing is certain, but I think it works, yes. Let’s have a drink and go through the details, then we will go to sleep. Amaia can sleep in her mother’s room, then tomorrow we will carry out our
plan. “Zach looked at both of them and then became more relaxed. Apparently these two schemers had good thinking, so let’s just rely on that!

  The next morning they got up early and had breakfast together. Amaia became better acquainted with Zach and he felt that she could be very helpful, she was also very nice. A lot of work was done after breakfast. The whole room and kitchen were cleaned up and all dirty dishes were done in the dishwasher and cleaned by means of the quick washing program so that a new load could be added. They dusted everything and Zach sucked the room like a consummate cleaner. All toys were thrown in a basket and the computer equipment was put in a box and put down above it. The only thing they could not solve was the drawing on the wall, but they would say that mom would find it very nice.

  Now it was time for The Plan, the ladies went upstairs to prepare the case. They went to Carolyn’s bedroom and found an old dress from her in a drawer. Because they had the same posture that Amaia fitted exactly. Somewhere there were some high heels and she also pulled them on. She combed the hair and put on glasses to complete it. When she came down, Zach’s mouth fell open and he stared at her. “If you did not know better, you would really think you were mum,” he said admiringly. Then they waited patiently until twelve o’clock and drank a cup of coffee at that time.

  When the doorbell finally went, they were shocked. Merry took her brother upstairs so that Zach could receive Miss Megan. He opened the door and greeted her warmly as if she were an old friend: “Good morning, Miss Megan, come on. We are expecting you “and he led her to the living room. She stood on the threshold as petrified and looked around with wide eyes. Was this the same room that had looked as if a bomb had exploded yesterday?