Close Friends Stick Together

“So Adagio, what was your past life like? Did you have any parents? Relatives? Guardians?”

“No,” I answered.

“Really? Is that it? You don’t have anybody in your life? Nobody you care for at all?”

“I have- no, had them.”

“Ah. Forgive my questioning, but I’m trying to get to the bottom of your dilemma. I can’t help you unless you talk to me. So please. I will listen to your story, whether it be good or bad.”

I was reluctant to continue but I knew it would hurt more if I didn't speak so I opened my mouth and said,

“Alright... Well, when I was little, me and my family were having financial problems. My mother and father would often argue about groceries, tax bills, and they would often figure out who would take care of me. Of course, I knew that they were just trying to get rid of me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“That’s not it though. It get’s better. Next thing you know, my father died. He was shot by some random thug while he was walking home from work.”

“Was there a specific reason as to why he shot him?”

“I don’t know. I just overheard it when my mom was talking to the cop.”

“And what about your mother?”

“She was the only relative that I had left. She worked and cooked for me when she was still alive.”

“Where is she now?”

“She’s also dead.”

“Hmm. Was she also shot?”

“No. It was a drug overdose. She got tired of me and decided to end it, I guess.”

“Why would she want to take her life?”

“I don’t know. All I remember was that she made money as a prostitute and she was constantly harassed by this biker gang that often visited the strip club. After she died, federal agents came to my doorstep and told that the apartment was months behind the rental fee. I wanted to chip in, but I wasn’t allowed due to child labor laws, and I was sent to a foster home.”

“Who were your foster parents?”

“Their names were Austere and Stringent Stern. They were no different from the people that I’ve met on the streets. I was constantly the chore doer and the scapegoat for the children that lived there. Whenever someone did anything, and if I was there, I would normally take the blame for it. If it happened, I normally don’t get much to eat and I was given more chores than the ones that I usually did. One night, it got worse. When I was cleaning the floors, I accidentally knocked Mrs. Stern’s favorite pot, she blew a gasket.

“What did she do?”

“Things that would make the hair on your skin stand straight up. After beating me, she left me in the time out room to “reflect” on my actions. I couldn’t take it anymore, so the day after that, I organized an escape plan.”

“And how did you do that?”, he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well… let’s just say it involved a lot of bed sheets. It tooks me a couple weeks to get them tied together.”, I answered.

“Was there anything else you had to go through? Was there a gate?”

“...let’s just say that I pulled off my escape plan.”

“So after you left both of your foster parents, you were forced to fend for yourself?”

I nodded in silence, and he seemed capable of taking the hint.

“What was the homeless shelter like to you?”

“If had to be honest, it was horrible. Having to wait in line to get food, trying to see what beds are available, and after that, you had to wait for a week or two if you want to sleep there again. Plus, there was this mean lady that I had to go and see at the booth.”

“Can you explain who she is?”

“Her name is Crabby Wooly. And she was the meanest lady that I’ve ever met. Every time we saw eye to eye, she would often spit out her chewing tobacco and ask me for my name. She would sometimes tell me that I couldn’t go in because there were too many people. Other times, she’d let me in. No idea why, but I guess she didn’t wanna lose her job. To be honest, I never liked her.”

“Are you sure? Maybe we could-”

“Don’t. It would only make things worse.”

“I’m sure that we could work this out. I just-”

“She attacked Aria and Sonata.”

“Hmm? What for?”

“She kept claiming that there was not enough for us.”

“Was that it?”

I shook my head.

“No. Not only did she tell us that there was no lodging available, but she also gave Aria a cut on the cheek. It was also what made even more sick. She also called us ‘street rats’, like we were worth nothing to this god-forsaken world. As much as I hate to admit it though, what she said was half-true.”

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well… I never did well at school.”

“Go on.”

“Every morning, when I walk up the stairs, I get into fights with the three popular girls.”

“What were their names?”

“Fleur Dis Lee, Suri Polomare, and the worst of them all, was Minxy Link.”

“What would they normally do to you?”

“In the morning, they would talk trash about my family. Lunch time, they’d dump their lunch all over me. And when the school day’s over, they would drag me in the corner and beat me up.”

He had a shocked look on his face as I said that.

“Did you notify anyone of this?” He asked.

I dreadfully shook my head.

“Why would they do this to you?”

I didn’t answer.

“You have been doing a tremendous job opening up about your experiences, but I can’t help you if you keep secrets to yourself.”

“I know. They beat me up because I was the “town tart” from where I lived, at least that was it was to them.”

He looked at me with concerned, but didn't want to offend me, so he didn't ask.

“Can you describe them for me?”

“Well, Fleur Dis Lee has pink-looking hair, Suri Polomare’s is purple, and Minxy’s is white with pink highlights. They all dressed like something you would see in a fashion magazine and were popular girls in school, like the ones you would see in a movie, you know?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“They not only bullied me because of where I’m from, but also because I was more beautiful than them.”

“It is understandable that an inferiority complex will take place in your later life, but reasons that call for physical violence is strictly, and directly, uncalled for.” He said in a serious tone, which made me a little happy. “Did you still attend school?”

“No. I got expelled.”

“What for?”

“I was set up by Minxy.”

“What did she do?”

“She made claims that I was carrying weapons to school. They didn’t believe her at first, but they checked inside my bag and saw a butterfly knife. I tried to tell them that it was all wrong, but they didn’t believe me, and immediately, I was given the boot.”

“Were you angry?”

“I was angry, not just at Minxy, but also at the school district for not looking deep into it.”

“I see. Were your parents angry?”

“A little bit. They were mad because not only was I expelled, but because they didn’t have the funds to get me into another school.”

“So what did you do?”

“They made me get a job.”

“What was it?”

“I had to work delivering newspapers every morning at 6:00.”

“When did your shift usually end?”

“At 10:00.”

“Hmm.  And what about the Foster care? Do you think that we should call the police?”

“No.”

He looked a little shocked by my sudden answer.

“Why not?” he asked baffled.

“Because if I did that, I would be no different from her. I don't want to add on more stress to them. Especially Sonata… she's suffered the most out of the three of us.”

“If that’s what you want. You've carry a heavy burden all these years and nobody would help. If I may, can I ask you another question?”

“Sure.”

“Are you sure there is nobody else to take you in? No close friends?”

I shook my head.

“I see. If I can make some calls-”

“Please, no.”

I began to tear up.

“Huh? What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Please. No.” I repeated.

“I understand why you’re feeling this way, but-”

“You understand why?! Don't talk like you know me! You know nothing of the cruel and heartless world...”, I cried out.

“Adagio…”

“You don’t know how hard it’s been, surviving out in the streets. Having to eat food thrown on the ground, having to wait until there’s enough room for a homeless shelter, and finding people that you can depend on.”

“Oh Adagio. I had no intention of separating you from your frie-.”

“LIAR! You were just waiting for the moment until I was gone so you could just throw them out like yesterday’s newspaper. Well, I won't let that happen! They're my family and I won’t let you take them away from me! DON’T YOU DARE TAKE THEM FROM ME!!!”

I started to fully break down and this time, I couldn't stop myself.

“Oh, come here.”, he said, leaning in for a hug.

“I don’t want them to be alone…”

“Shhh-shhh-shhh-shhh. I would never do anything to hurt you.”, he comforted.