Toka-Ace #1: The Re-Emergence

Our school was contacted. Andrew and I were excused from classes for two weeks. Like the pain of losing our mother would be magically healed in two weeks.

Potential replacement guardians were contacted and funeral arrangements had to be made.

I didn’t sleep well. I woke up still emotionally numb.

I had no change of clothes. I had to re-wear the clothes I had on for my date with Elyse. I was starting to feel confined and I began to pace.

Andrew’s eyes followed me as I walked back and forth.

“Andrew, I’m going for a walk.” I declared.

“We have to stay here until they can get someone to take us in,” Andrew pointed out.

“You stay here,” I said. “I’m going for a walk.”

I could tell that Andrew wanted to protest, but he let it go. That was a good thing. I needed a little space.

“I’ll be back in ten minutes,” I vowed.

The church that they were keeping us in was in a nice neighborhood. It was one of those places where every lawn was neatly trimmed; I passed by suburban ranches, split level houses, and charming colonials.

I walked and as I did the bubbles of anxiety popped in my mind. It was as though in addition to having everything snatched away, I was being mocked by life itself. It seemed to say: “Hey look at what you used to have. Look at how happy everyone but you is, with their apple pie life.”

Even though she was my adopted mother, I still respected and loved Beatrice Weatherbee as though she were my biological mother. She had raised me and Andrew. She was one of the few people whom I really felt comfortable around. Now she was gone. Her loving presence would never again grace my life. I wished I could have said “I love you” to her just once more.

And I wasn’t there at the end. I was off enjoying myself. I felt guilty, afraid, and empty all at once. I walked until I reached a park and I sat on a bench. I simply stared absently into space. Life goes on, I told myself. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Andrew calling.

“Hello?” I answered absently.

“Hey Troy,” Andrew said. “They found a guardian for us.”

“They did?”

“Yeah, the Herrons,” Andrew said. The Herrons were friends of my mother’s. “They’re coming to move us into their house later on today, but they’re going to get us some new clothes and things like that before they do. So get back here man.”

I went back to the church and waited with Andrew. I made sure to thank the volunteers for their help. Dominic and Carla Herron pulled up twenty minutes after I got back from the park. Dominic was a tall man with a medium build. He had short textured brown hair and brown eyes. He had a long face and if I didn’t know any better I would swear that he was Andrew’s father. Dominic made his living as an accountant and during tax season worked as a tax preparer.

Carla Herron had long blonde hair. She worked as a personal trainer. She had a rounded face, blue eyes and a rather attractive figure.

Carla hugged us. “Troy, Andrew, I’m so sorry. Beatrice was such a wonderful woman. I’m sorry for you loss. I know we can’t take her place, but you can have a home with us now.”

We gave our thanks and then Mr. and Mrs. Herron drove us to Target to get some clothes. We got some towels and hygiene products and then got some keys made at a small hardware store.

The Herrons lived five blocks away from where my old house was. Their split-level house was nice and spacious; and it smelled good. Mrs. Herron had made dinner: spaghetti, garlic bread and salad. The food smelled delicious even though I didn’t have much of an appetite. Dominic, Carla, Andrew and I sat around the dinner table.

The whole setup was so reminiscent of our dinners with Mom.

“I know that you boys have just lost someone who was very special to you. I just wanted to know that my wife and I are here for you if you ever wanted to talk.” Dominic said. “I want you to treat this as if it’s your home.”

“It’s going to be an adjustment for you,” Mrs. Herron added softly. “This is a bad time for you and believe us, we know how you feel. Beatrice was a treasured friend of ours. The thing that I want you two to realize is that time is going to heal your wounds. Even bad times come to an end.”

Though I didn’t have an appetite, I ate a serving of spaghetti, some bread and some salad as so not to be rude. I appreciated the Herron’s words.

After dinner Elyse called me. Noting that my phone was low on power, I went upstairs and plugged my phone into the new charger that I got today.

“Troy, thank God, are you alright?” She asked. “I heard your house burned down.”

“I’m fine but my mother is gone.” I said.

Elyse gasped. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” I said sincerely.

“Is there anything I can do?” She asked.

“No.” I answered honestly. I was more rational than to be mad at Elyse. It wasn’t her fault that our house burned down. “It hurts that’s all, nobody can help that.”

“I can’t imagine anything more painful than losing your mother. Where are you staying now?”

“I’m staying with some friends of my mother’s.” I answered.

“And how is Andrew dealing with all this?”

I sighed. “I really don’t know.”

“You haven’t talked to him yet?” She asked surprised.

“Look, both of us are just…” I stopped myself.

“I know guys don’t share their feelings, but I can guess how you feel.” Elyse said.

“You’re sweet Elyse.” I said. “You really are.”

For a while neither of us said anything. I think she was expecting me to say more. “Listen Elyse I’m really tired. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Elyse said slowly. “Remember if you need to talk, I’m right here.”

“Thank you.” I said.

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hung up and I let out a heavy sigh. The healing process would have to begin at some point, but tonight, I just couldn’t muster up the energy to do anything.

The Herrons explained the sleeping arrangements. Andrew and I were going to have to share the guest room until Mr. Herron could convert his library into a bedroom for one of us. I told him that that wouldn’t be necessary because Andrew and I would be willing to share, but he insisted. “You two are our sons now,” he said. “I hardly ever use the library anyway, now that I have a tablet. Maybe you boys will like some of the books.”

“Medieval history and science fiction,” said Carla rolling her eyes.

“Hey, swords are cool,” Andrew said.

Mr. Herron brightened and started to talk but I couldn’t really pay attention. I was wondering if mom had been burned in the fire or if it was the smoke that got her. They hadn’t told us and without a definite answer my anxiety produced some for me, and they weren’t at all pleasant to think about.

“Dominic, the boys are tired,” Mrs. Herron said.

Dominic looked at us. “Okay, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Try to get some sleep okay?” said Mrs. Herron.

“Okay,” I said.

“Thanks you guys.” Andrew said.

“Yeah, thanks.” I said as Mr. and Mrs. Herron left the room.

The guest room was currently furnished with one normal bed and one mattress on top of a box spring. I let Andrew have the bed because honestly, it made no difference to me. It was nice to have a place to stay. I was really grateful to the Herrons for their hospitality, I intended to thank them later and try to be a good whatever I was-not son-but right now, I was too depressed.

I really was grateful for the Herrons hospitality. I knew that they were decent people, just like Mom. I knew in time that I would come to adjust to my new situation.

I didn’t count on what happened next.