Ethan's Short Story
It's a confusing thing, especially at a young age, to deal with loss. Though Ethan still couldn't fully explain what loss was exactly. A feeling? And expression? Maybe not being able to find your way home, a loved one dying, or even something as simple as not being able to find your phone.
Whatever the definition was, it was early in life the Ethan first experienced it, and though the story eventually started to blur, that feeling of being alone and confused continued to haunt him.
It was early summer, and Ethan was sitting at his kitchen table, playing with some of his toys. His favorite, at the time, was a stuffed cat that he carried around everywhere, earning multiple scoldings from his father in the process. The toy was too girly, he was five, he should grow up. Play with cars and airplanes as any normal boy would, but that had never discouraged the little mute, he listened to his mother instead. She was the one who loved him after all, she'd whisper in his ear when she was sure her husband wasn't looking and tell him that he was beautiful and perfect as he was. That was what E chose to believe.
Well, this morning, as he was petting his stuffed cat and attempting to feed it some of his breakfast cereal, his parent's door opened down the hall, revealing the sounds of arguing, which wasn't uncommon.
"I won't leave him! He can't live by himself!"
"What does it matter, he can find someone to help if e really wants to, we don't need him anymore! He's just a useless child who can't speak, and therefore can't think! He'll never be a man, not one capable of anything!"
"Don't say that, he just needs some time!"
"I gave him time, Lin! Five years of time! He won't listen, no matter how hard I smack him!"
"Because he's scared of you, you're being cruel!"
"He can't even speak!"
Confused, the young boy slipped off his chair and crept to the hallway. He watched with wide eyes as his parents shouted back and forth, suitcases lining the wall. He didn't understand what was happening.
"That's not his fault! Please, we can't leave him here! Not like this!"
"We can and will. I packed our things already, Lin, we're leaving. Now. And don't you dare try to stay or take him. I'll kill you both if I have to, and that'd be a shame considering that child in your stomach."
Then the man turned and stormed out, dragging two suitcases behind him. The woman stood watching him, tears rolling down her cheeks as she stared at the doorway. Her son walked over and tugged on her arm, clinging to his stuffed cat. The woman looked down, revealing eyes with dark circles under them and hair streaked with white. Her expression was something Ethan would never forget.
"Oh, my child, my sweet, sweet baby!" His mother breathed, kneeling and embracing her son. "I'm so very sorry, I have to leave, please understand, I can't stay anymore or I fear he will kill me and you. I love you, darling, you know I love you."
Ethan nodded, confused. His mother was leaving? Why? Did he do something wrong? Was she going to come back? Why was Papa so angry?
"I have to go now, Ethan. I'm so sorry."
E clung to his mother tighter, not wanting to let go. He didn't understand. Was she leaving for good? She would come back, wouldn't she? She had to! She loved him!
And yet, the woman pulled away, looking at her son with watery brown eyes.
"Forgive me, my son, for I can never forgive myself."
Then she turned, grabbed her suitcase, and left, closing the door behind her and leaving Ethan alone, knowing nothing but the fact that he wasn't allowed to follow.
---
For two weeks, Ethan stayed inside, living off of leftover food in the fridge and cabinet. Eventually, though, he had to go outside.
It was a warm Saturday morning when the mute boy finally opened the door, and a warm gust of wind blew in, delivering a pleasant scent of fresh air. E had to pause, however, when the light hit his eyes, as he was unused to the sun at this point.
Finally, when he’d adjusted, Ethan stepped outside and found himself walking to the neighborhood park nearby, a place his mother used to take him a lot. When he arrived he just stood for a moment, watching a group of kids run and jump on the brightly colored equipment. Then, a boy called to him from his perch at the top of the slides. “Hey, you! What are you doing at our castle? Do you wanna play?” Ethan blinked, looking up at the young boy who looked about his age, maybe a year older. He was wearing a T-shirt, shorts, dirty tennis shoes, and a bright red cape. His hair was a dark brown, and his eyes were a light brown, the color of honey, and held a playful sparkle. He had pale skin and a babyish face. Slowly, the mute nodded in answer to his question. The boy beamed, hopping down the stairs and thrusting out his hand. Ethan took a step back in surprise. “I’m Robin, I’m the king of this place. What’s your name?” Timidly, E shook Robin’s hand. “What’s the matter? Don’t ya speak?” Ethan shook his head. “Huh, weird.”
“Be nice Robin!” E looked over in surprise when a girl trotted over, she had blonde curls and fair skin with light blue eyes. She was wearing a frilly pink dress and wore her curls in ponytails on either side of her head. She smacked Robin’s arm lightly. “It isn’t nice to call people weird, my mama taught me that.”
“Ow,” Robin muttered, and the girl grinned at Ethan.
“Sorry about him, he’s naughty. I don’t know why I hang out with him.” She rolled her eyes dramatically and held out her hand. “I’m Ally.” She stated, Ethan excepted her hand and she shook it much more gracefully than Robin had. “Pleasure to meet you.” The mute nodded.
Robin made a face at Ally, and she answered with a triumphant smirk. A moment passed, then Robin sighed and E knew he had lost the silent battle. “So… you wanna be a king too? I have an extra throne.” He offered, gesturing towards the playground. Ally grinned.
“Or you can be a dragon with me, we can take the castle for ourselves! RAWR!” She giggled and raised her hands in the air in the shape of claws.
“Nu-uh, I’ll defeat the dragons!” Robin announced, pulling out an imaginary sword.
“We can breathe fire! Come on, let’s get him!” Ally said loudly, running towards Robin and cousin him to turn tail. Ethan followed after her, laughing as Robin shouted empty threats over his shoulder and Ally responded with dragon imitations, Ethan too put up his hands and pretended to breathe fire. Now, he thought, he was finally free to just be a kid.
Fall 
Day Weather: 
