| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“Alright what’s wrong here?” Olivia’s grandma Mrs. Yip walked over, “What are you two kids arguing about?”
“Hm…” Danny clinched onto Mrs. Yip and curled his lips. He was not happy to see the fight between Matty and Olive.
“Danny WILL bump the balloons!” Olivia raised her voice.
“Danny will NOT bump the balloons!” Matt raised his voice also.
“You two are fighting over this?” Mrs. Yip bursted out a chuckle, “Ok, let me make an objective judgement.”
The two stopped the quarrel and looked at Mrs. Yip.
“Matt, I have to agree with Olivia that you’re sometimes too protective of Danny. You have to free your hands and let him try.” Mrs. Yip said.
“See?” Olivia raised her brows at Matt.
Mrs. Yip turned to Olivia, “But Olivia, you aren’t 100% right either. I know you try to have Danny to learn, which is good. But you have to consider if he can handle it or not. You can’t be too rush and harsh on him. You’ll make him feel uncomfortable and he’ll just be scared and ended up staying away from it.”
Olivia bit her lips.
“Understand now?” Mrs. Yip asked.
“Yup grandma.” Olivia nodded.
Matt looked at her, “Yes Mrs. Yip.”
“Good kids.” Mrs. Yip smiled.
Danny went up to Matt, “Matty no fight with Olive. Gotta hold hands and be friends again.”
Olivia looked away.
“…hm…come on…” Matt reached over and softly grasped Olivia’s hand.
She sneaked a little sweet smile.
Danny was happy.
“Whew!” Mrs. Yip puffed out, “Now, why don’t Danny give it one more try with the balloon, with Matty helping on the side?”
“Yeah!” Danny bounced.
Matt suggested, “The 3 of us can make the balloons together.”
Olivia whined, “Don’t need THAT many people to work on the balloons…”
***************************
The New Year began
A woman steadily stepped out of a luxury car. She was in her early 40s, dressed up in a tidy and elegant outfit. Her beautiful face was covered by neat and delicate make-up, but a deep worry and restlessness stayed in her eyes.
“Mrs. Lee, this is the place.” A man beside her respectfully said and pointed.
The woman stared still.
Caring Society Sheltered Workshop.
“Danny, what’s taking you so long? Bus is coming!” Matt turned around and called to his brother who had forgotten his water bottle and ran back inside to grab it.
The woman quietly approached. Her voice was soft but trembling, “…are you…Matthew?”
“Huh? Yeah…” Matt heard an unfamiliar woman voice calling him. He curiously turned around.
The woman gazed at him.
The face did not look familiar. Matt tilted his head, “Sorry you are…”
“…Matt.” The woman softly called.
A blurred picture began to form in Matt’s head. Pieces by pieces, bits by bits, gluing together.
Matt looked closely at the woman. He was absolutely stunned.
So unexpected. So shocking.
The woman caught his expression. The corners of her lips gently curved up.
Matt, however, had total opposite reaction. He scrunched his face and broke out hard and cold words, “It’s you?! You’re back?! Why? Why are you coming back?!!!”
“I…” The woman faltered.
“I’ve got my bottle, Matty!” Danny came out and pulled his brother’s sleeve. Then he saw the woman in front of them.
“What are you doing here??? Go away!!! We don’t want to see you!!!” Matt abruptly yelled at the woman.
Danny was shocked at Matt’s sudden behaviour. He did not know what was happening. He quickly hid behind Matt’s back and whispered, “Matty who’s she?”
Danny had no impression in his head.
The woman thought and quickly realized. She tenderly called, “Danny? You must be Danny! Oh my dear…do you remember me?” She tried to reach over and touched the boy.
“Go away!!!” Matt angrily swung her hand away. Just at this time, their bus arrived. Matt quickly dragged Danny away. The two guys hopped on the bus.
“Matt! Danny!” The woman shouted.
“She knows our names! She knows our names!” Danny peeked out the window, “Matty why aren’t we talking to her? Who is she???”
“Danny don’t stick your head out the window! It’s dangerous!” Matt agitatedly pinned him down, “Sit still and don’t ask one single question about that woman again!”
Matty is very upset for some reason, so Danny doesn’t ask anymore.
***********************
The next day, Matt purposely left work a bit earlier to go pick up Danny. He tried to avoid that woman, the woman whom he felt disgusted to see.
Matt and Danny walked out of the sheltered workshop.
She was there once again. She seemed to have waited for them the entire afternoon.
Matt pulled Danny and paced to the bus stop. She tailgated from behind.
“Told you we don’t want to see you! LEAVE US ALONE!!!” Matt roughly howled.
“Matt, can we sit down and have a good talk? I really want to…”
“There’s nothing for us to talk about!” A taxi passed by. Without thinking, Matt waved it down and stuffed Danny inside. He scrambled up too and instantly shut the door.
“Go!” Matt demanded the driver to leave.
Danny was surprised; Matty always says taxi is expensive so they rarely ever ride on one. He knew Matty did not like it, but he could not help to ask again, “Why’s she there again? Is she looking for us?”
“Just ignore her.” Matt fell on the back of the seat and tiredly closed his eyes.
***************************
Olivia scanned around and found Matt sitting by the fountain. He dropped down his head and seemed to be in deep thoughts.
“Hi hi.” She sat down beside him, “Sorry for being late. Got stuck in traffic.”
Matt lifted up his head and squeezed out a smile.
“Something goes wrong?” Olivia held his hand.
Matt looked at her and sighed.
***************************
Danny was home alone practising his recorder for the Wednesday night music class.
Suddenly he heard a few knocks on the door.
Matty was out grocery shopping at the market for tonight’s dinner and should not be back so soon. He always had the keys too.
So who’s knocking on the door? They seldom had visitors. Could it be Olive?
Danny tip-toed over. He lifted up a corner of the curtain and peeked out through the window beside the door.
That same woman again???
Danny recognized her…as that same woman who made Matty so angry the last couple times.
The woman turned around and happily waved outside the window, “Hi Danny, do you remember me?”
“…yeah.” Danny said.
The woman asked, “Danny, I’m coming to visit you and Matt. Could you please let me in?”
Danny vigorously shook his head, “No! Matty says I can’t let anyone into the house when he’s not around. Can be a bad guy.”
The woman persuaded, “Danny, I know you and your brother Matt very well. We’re very close. I’m just here to visit you two. I ain’t a bad guy.”
“…You don’t look like a bad guy.” Danny innocently thought.
“So could you please let me in?” The woman grasped tighter to her wool jacket and shivered.
Danny still shook his head. Can’t let anyone in, because Matty says so.
The woman could not force Danny. She just stood there.
The outside of their roof-top shed was certainly uncovered. The coldness and strong breeze was blowing hard on the frail woman. Danny was moved.
“…hm. Maybe you can come in.” Danny finally opened the door.
A big smile glowed on the woman’s face. She happily walked in.
Danny did not know what to do next. Greeting the guest is supposed to be the polite thing to do. He mumbled and pointed to the sofa, “Please have a seat.”
The woman softly asked, “Where is your brother?”
“Matty’s out buying stuffs to cook dinner.” Danny said, “He’ll be back soon.”
The woman scanned around the little place. It was clean and tidy, but definitely not an ideal living condition, “You two have been living here for…two years?” She seemed to know a lot about them.
Danny thought and counted his fingers, “…two and a half years.”
The woman continued to ask, “How are you and Matt doing? Making a living must be hard, huh? How’s…”
Danny turned cautious, “Why you ask so many questions?”
“I…” The woman lost her words, “I care about you and Matt.”
Danny obviously was not satisfied with the answer. He did not know who she was. He did not know what she was trying to do here. He began to regret letting her into the house.
He looked restless and started panicking. He wished Matty can be back soon.
The woman seemed to read his mind and instantly comforted, “Oh don’t panic. I ain’t gonna do anything bad to you and Matt. I really care about you two. Hm…I’ve brought some cookies over. Please try them.” She opened a little box.
Danny hesitated and peeked at the box.
“Try one, huh?” The woman smiled gently and offered.
Danny paused, then finally reached over and took the box. He picked up a chocolate cookie and nibbled.
The woman gladly watched him eating.
Danny finished his cookie and closed the box. He held it tightly in his hug.
The woman was surprised, “You don’t like the cookies? Are they not good?”
“The cookies are good.”
“Why aren’t you having more?” The woman did not understand.
“Cookies are good. Gotta save up for Matty.” Danny said.
The woman suddenly quieted down as her eyes turned teary. She was touched by the brotherhood love. But Danny’s act also meant the two brothers had been struggling hard in life. Goodies were scarce, so they always saved up and shared with each other.
Danny peeked at the woman and wondered what happened.
“…I’m sorry.” The woman quickly wiped her tears and chuckled easily.
“Oh why are you crying? Don’t cry.” Danny handed her a box of tissues and patted her shoulder.
Danny’s little act melted the woman’s heart. She smiled, “Danny you are a very kind and polite boy.”
“’cause Matty always says so…gotta be kind and polite to other people.” Danny said meekly.
“Matt has taught you very well. You both are very good boys.” The woman gazed at Danny.
There was a moment of silence.
Danny thought. He did not usually talk so much to a stranger. But this woman seems different. She seems to be an ok person. Why Matty is so upset with her? Danny doesn’t hate her as much as Matty does. For some reason, Danny has a cozy feeling with her.
Strange, Danny thought.
Since the woman stopped talking, Danny began to lose patience with her. He wanted to go back to do his own thing. He picked up his recorder and tried to practise again.
“You play the recorder?” The woman asked.
“For my music class at the sheltered workshop.” Danny said.
“Wow. That’s very good! What song are you playing now?” The woman smiled warmly, “Can you play it for me?”
“I’ve to practise Mary had a little lamb.” Danny said, then he put the recorder to his mouth and started pressing.
The woman enjoyed the music and gazed at Danny.
“…so Danny you finally got that note right! Good for you…” The door opened and Matt’s voice sounded.
“Matty!” Danny threw down the recorder and ran towards him.
“What’s up?” Matt asked, then immediately he spotted the woman in the living room.
“…Matt.” The woman whispered with fear.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” Matt was furious, “How did you find where we live?! How did you get in here?!”
“I…” The woman faltered.
“Danny you let her in?!” Matt threw down his grocery bags on the floor and scolded loudly, “Matty told you numerous times not to let a stranger in! Why aren’t you listening? You want Matty to slap your hand so you’ll remember, huh?!” Matt agitatedly grasped Danny’s arm.
“…no Matty!” Danny panicked and frightened and screamed.
“No Matt! It’s not Danny’s fault! Don’t scold him!” The woman ran over to protect the boy, “I’m here just to visit you two! I just want to see how you two are doing! Nothing more…”
“What have you said to Danny?!” Matt blew up.
“Nothing! Nothing! I just casually chatted with him…” The woman shook her head and begged, “Matt I really want to have a good talk with you! Please!”
Matt howled, “Fine! I will have a good talk with you today! Then please disappear in front of us after that!!!” He turned to Danny, “Danny stay in the house and practise your recorder!”
Danny quickly ran to the sofa and picked up his recorder. He hesitated and peeked at Matt. Matt glared back at him. He freaked out and started playing the recorder as Matty says so.
Matt grabbed the woman out and slammed shut the door. They went outside the shed to talk. Through the windows, Danny could not hear what they were saying as they were too far away. But Danny could see the woman looked very sad, while Matty looked really angry.