| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“Hey.” Matt squeezed out a smile.
“Any suggestions for tonight?” Olivia tilted her head.
“Up to you.” Matt looked tired.
Olivia did not ask him any question. She just wanted to stay by his side and cheered him up, “Alright! Let me do all the planning then! How about…going for a movie first…then a prime rib dinner…then go for a ride to the peak?”
“Yup.” Matt did not object.
“You have to say ‘good plan’.” Olivia whined.
Matt finally bursted out a chuckle, “Ok…’good plan’!”
They happily drove away to enjoy the night.
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After dinner, Claire put away the dishes and stacked them in the dishwasher. She turned the machine on and took out from fruits in the fridge. She cut them up neatly onto a plate and walked out to the living room.
The TV was on, but Danny was not looking at it. He curled
on the sofa with a sketch book and some pencil crayons in his hands. He lifted up his head and hesitated, then he reached over to his backpack to grab out another red colour pencil crayon. He must love to always carry his drawing kit with him.
Claire guessed Danny did not like to be disturbed. So, she just sat across from him and watched him quietly.
Danny was drawing the vase of multi-colour carnations sitting on the cupboard top. He raised his head to take a look, then he dropped down his head again to concentrate on the paper.
Very calm, very peaceful moment in the living room.
Danny stopped drawing and fell in thoughts. He looked here and there, then he put down the sketch book and pencil crayons. He seemed to be finished.
“…you’re done with drawing the vase of flowers?” Claire asked.
Danny turned around and looked a bit confused. He was soaked in his own little world actually did not realize at all that his mother had been watching him for so long.
“May I take a look?” Claire was very curious to see. Her last impression of Danny’s drawing was him at 5 years old, having messing scribbles across the paper…and on the walls at home.
Danny passed her the sketch book.
Claire reached over and took the book. She was astonished.
Gorgeous drawing. Under the pastel colour, the vase and the flowers looked so soft and charming.
Simple but beautiful. It’s just…beautiful.
Claire found it unbelievable…and also amazing. Is this really the same boy in the deepest corner of her heart? Her voice uncontrollably trembled, “Danny…great job. Gosh…this is just great job.”
“Thank you.” Danny said politely.
“You love to draw?” Claire asked softly.
Danny nodded.
“I love this piece of drawing so much.” Claire faltered and afraid Danny would say no, “…if you don’t mind. Could you please give this drawing to me?”
Danny thought, “Yeah. Keep it.”
“I can really keep it?” Claire was surprisingly happy, “Thanks Danny! Thanks!”
“What colour do you like?” Danny suddenly asked.
Claire wondered, “Hm…I like purple.”
“I give the drawing to you. So…I have to write down your name. To…you. From Danny.” He picked up a purple pencil crayon, “What’s your name?”
Claire gazed at Danny. She wished. She wished, “Danny…could you please write…To ‘mom’?”
Danny looked at her and thought for a while.
Claire was desperate. Her heart pounded wildly.
Danny dropped down his head and wrote on top of the drawing ‘To mom’, and at the bottom ‘From Danny’.
Claire almost bursted out joyful tears.
Danny ripped out the paper from the sketch book and handed her the drawing.
This was the first and most precious gift she received from Danny in life.
“Hm.” Danny did not catch the expressions on Claire’s face. He turned around to pack up his pencil crayons.
Beep beep beep~
Suddenly Danny’s watch beeped. It was an alarm clock that
Matty set up for him before they came. Danny turned off the beep and searched in his bag pack.
Claire wondered.
Danny took out a small pill box. It was now 10pm, time for him to take his medicine. Usually this was also their bedtime and Matty would just give him the pills to take before going to sleep. But today they were not at home, so the caring elder brother already set Danny’s alarm on the watch to remind him.
Danny carefully took out two pills: one pink and round, one white and long.
Claire quickly went to the kitchen to get a cup of water for Danny, “What pills are you taking?”
“This one is vitamins…makes me won’t sneeze and cough and catch a cold so easily.” Danny pointed, “And this one…’cause I am sick…Doctor Wong says…I take this so I’ll be good and won’t get grumpy and won’t throw temper.”
It must be the medicine for emotions control for autism.
“Do you take these pills everyday?” Claire asked softly.
“Yeah. Everyday.” Danny had been taking them everyday since he was little. He was a routine for him and he found
it obvious.
Claire gently patted Danny’s head. He had to be on medication for his lifetime. Why would Claire ever feel shameful for Danny as her son? She brought him to this world like that. He did not choose to be sick. He did not want to be sick. He wanted to be a good boy. He had his talents. He was not a retard.
No. Not shameful at all. Claire should feel proud of Danny indeed.
Claire gazed and stroked Danny’s cheek, “Danny, let mom take a closer look at you.”
Danny looked at her.
“You are a very good boy.” A tear rolled down Claire’s eyes.
==========================
At the peak lookout, the couple in the car was soaked in their deep kiss. Matt tenderly caressed Olivia’s back. She moaned shyly.
Their lips softly parted. Matt wrapped Olivia in his arms.
He sighed and bewildered out the window of the car.
“Beautiful starry night.” Olivia smiled sweetly.
“Hm.” Matt stroked her cheek.
Olivia knew the thoughts strangled in Matt’s head. She just leaned quietly on him and gave him mutual support.
“Do you think I’ve too cruel and cold-hearted at her?”
Matt whispered.
“You’ve done very well, Matt. At least you didn’t stop your mom from meeting up with Danny. That’s a good start.”
Olivia said.
“I know she wanted both of us.” Matt bit his lips.
“Are you still very mad at her?” Olivia asked.
“Danny has no recall to what happened. But I do. I remember very clearly how she walked out the door with her briefcases and dad begged and chased her from behind. That picture stays in my head for all these years. Our family fell apart, and dad was very sad. I know…dad still missed her a lot even til his death.” Matt softly shook his head, “I was very shocked and angry when I first met her…after all these years she suddenly appeared once again. I thought she really didn’t deserve our forgiveness. But…after hearing her story…and seeing how remorseful she is now. She looks very sincerely and tries to make it up. I guess…I don’t really feel as bad anymore.”
“You begin to loose up that knot in your heart. That’s good for you.” Olivia caressed his hand.
“I don’t know if that means…I have forgiven her. I don’t know if I can really forget everything and give her graciously…’mom’.” Matt was confused, “I think I need more time.”
“Did you say she’s returning to Canada soon?” Olivia wondered.
Matt nodded.
“I think she’ll be happy if, before she leaves, that she can hear it from you.” Olivia gazed at Matt.
=======================
Claire heard the doorbell and immediately went to open the door.
“Sorry for running so late.” Matt apologized. He came back to pick up Danny. Time was almost 11pm.
“No worry.” Claire lowered her voice, “So…you went out with your girlfriend? Her name is Olive? Hope I can meet her sometime.”
“Hm.” Matt did not say yes or no. He scanned around the quiet and dimmed apartment, “Where’s Danny? Gotta go now. By the way do you know if he took his pills yet?”
“He did. And after a while he looked sleepy. So I asked him to go into the bedroom and take a nap. He’s still asleep.” Claire whispered as she led him to the room.
“He goes to bed at 10pm every night. And the pills usually
makes him dozy too.” Matt tip-toed in and checked on Danny. The boy was in deep and calm sleep. Matt stroked Danny’s forehead very lightly, “Could you please turn down the heat a bit? Danny’s getting a little sweaty.”
“Oh.” Claire sighed and turned around to adjust the heater temperature, “I should’ve checked on Danny. I didn’t even notice it. I am…such a sloppy mother.”
Matt did not comment. He walked out of the bedroom. Claire followed from behind and gently closed the door.
“Danny’s in deep sleep. Better not wake him up.” Claire suggested, “He could stay here for the night.”
“Alright thanks.” Matt did not object, “But Danny might be scared if he wakes up in the middle of night and finds himself in a strange dark place. He’ll panic. So, if you don’t mind, I want to stay here tonight also.”
“Of course I don’t mind.” Claire said, “There are two bedrooms. Danny took one. Hm…you can sleep in my room and I...”
“Don’t worry. I’m fine sleeping on the sofa.” Matt stopped her as he already began to settle himself on the sofa.
“No why don’t…”
Matt ignored her. He took off his jacket and covered on himself as he lay down.
Claire saw his act and thought, “You can’t sleep like that. Let me get a warm quilt for you…”
“I said I’m fine!” Matt abruptly raised his voice.
Claire bit her lips.
Matt realized his bad attitude. She only nagged so much because of caring. He softened up, “Thanks. But seriously, I am ok. You don’t have to run around to get anything for me. It’s getting late. Hm…goodnight.” He sighed and turned his back at her.
Claire watched his tall and big body curling at the sofa with merely a jacket to keep himself warm. But Matt seemed fine with it. This apartment was comfortable and sleeping on this leather sofa for one night was nothing to him. He had had much worst. What hardships had he not gone through in his life?
Thinking of this with her eldest son, Claire felt a stabbing pain in her heart.
Matt closed his eyes and was about to fall asleep. Suddenly he felt someone tip-toed over, and a big warm quilt covering very softly onto him. The lights in the living room faded.
He knew it was his mother.
His mother.
…mom.