Chapter 27 : I love you, my son

Day after day, repeating everything, the day finally came. Today was the day that the carriage would come to pick up Kieran and a few others for the Examination. He woke up just before the sun rose. Before the rooster could crow, he went to it, woke it up, and fed it bread. This way, it would be too busy to remember to crow.

“You need to eat well, alright?” he told the crow as he fed it chunks of bread. “I need you to be big and juicy by the time I’m back so that I can eat you, alright?”

The rooster simply ate the bread.

Kieran returned to his room, packing his things. He brought a large sack and filled it with clothes and sentimental items. A picture of him, Ren, Sarah and Mason together. They spent a lot of money to have a photographer take it. He brought some pocket money he’d saved over the years, a few silver coins.

Knock knock

As he packed his room, two knocks were heard. By the doorway to his room, Sarah stood there, arms crossed and leaning against the door frame.

“Packing?” she asked

“Yeah, I’m just preparing so I’m not in a rush later.”

…

“I’m going to miss you, Kieran.”

“Me too, Aunt Sarah. I’ll miss Uncle Mason too.”

She looked behind her into her own room, where Mason was knocked out snoring.

“I guess he won’t be up to say goodbye,” she said with a smile.

“It’s fine, he had a late shift last night. I’ll just see him next time I come back with Ren.”

…

“So- Kieran,” she said in a more serious tone. “Are you sure this is really what you want?”

“The restaurant is doing well now, and if you want it can be handed down to you. We could make this a larger business and scale it to other villages as well.”

“Yes, I’m sure, Aunt Sarah,” Kieran assured her. “This is what I want. This is my path, my way.”

Sigh

“Alright, kiddo. Just remember that Mason and I will always be here, and if you ever feel like you need a break or anything, just come back. We’ll be here waiting for you.”

Kieran nodded and smiled at her. Sarah smiled back, and went to the kitchen to start cooking breakfast. A few minutes went by and Kieran was done. He changed into his clothes, and went to the dining table. Sarah soon brought breakfast to the table, one for her and one for him. Mason was still sleeping at this time. It was a simple breakfast, eggs, bread and bacon. But for some reason, it was everything that Kieran wanted, and he knew he was going to miss this.

“I’m going to go shower, I’ll be out in a second,” said Sarah.

Kieran nodded and proceeded to eat his meal. It was properly made, the eggs weren’t too cooked. The bacon was nice and crispy, and the bread was toasted perfectly. But for some reason, it was too salty. Kieran looked at his food confused.

“Why is it so salty…”

Sniff

It wasn’t long before Kieran realized he was crying. As he chewed through his food, tears couldn’t stop streaming from his cheeks into the food. As Sarah showered, singing happily, Kieran ate his food, crying in silence. His eyes puffy and nose stuck, he cried alone at a dining table, stuffing food made with love and warmth that he would never taste again. The silence was long, by the time Sarah had finished preparing herself, he wiped his tears and ate away the evidence.

“You ready?” she asked

“...Yeah, let's go,” he replied.

They walked together to the front of the school, where other parents and their children were. There were countless families who came to see their children off. Many were happy, proud, and confident. Many were also crying, hugging each other and praying for their children’s safety. As time flew by, the carriages arrived. There were many carriages, about 5 carriages that could house up to 20 children each. The first 4 carriages were already filled up with children from the other villages. Brindle village was the final stop. As the children went on, Kieran followed suit. He was the last to get on, so he was at the very back, where he could see it all. The place he had called home, the place he grew up in. Though he had already grown up once, a second time wasn’t a bad thing. Once they were ready, the Examiner ordered for the departure. Slowly, the carriages started moving. Many parents and siblings chased after the carriages. Many kids looked back and waved goodbye. As the carriages went, Kieran and Sarah locked eyes. Sarah covered her face, but Kieran saw it. He saw her tears, no matter how she tried to cover them. Kieran felt sadness envelop his heart. He knew this wasn’t the last time he would see them, but for some reason, he couldn’t stop the tears. It was only then he realized. The only people that treated him like their own were Sarah and Mason. His own mother from his past life, his own blood relative, didn’t love him, show him affection, nor care. How ironic.

And without a second thought, he grabbed the edge of the carriage, leaned out and yelled

“MOM!”

Sarah looked up and looked at the carriages that were only getting smaller. Though Kieran was so far away that it was impossible to hear him, he yelled with all his heart, smiling through tears

“I LOVE YOU!”

“THANK YOU FOR TREATING ME AS YOUR OWN!”

“THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE, FOR THE HEART, ALL THE BREAKFASTS, THE SCOLDINGS, THANK YOU, MOM!”

Sarah fell to the ground instantly, crying and sobbing crocodile tears. A few parents went to her and comforted her. Kieran gripped the wood, bawling his eyes out. Though he didn’t make any sound, a path of tears followed carriage number 5. And in the distance, though he couldn’t hear her, Sarah yelled

(Fragile by Tatsuro Yamashita starts playing)