| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“Don’t cry. Oh don’t cry Danny. Say bye-bye to Matt huh?” His new adopted parents dragged him into the car.
“…Danny!” Matt sobbed and grasped Danny’s hand, “Be good at your new home! Matty will come visit you all the times!”
“…Matty…” His adopted father started the car, and his adopted mother tied him up with the seat belt. Danny reluctantly let go of Matt’s hand. He spun around at the back windows, catching one more glance of his brother.
“Be a good boy at your new home! And study hard at your new school!” Matt wiped tears and waved at the departing car, “I will miss you a lot, Danny!” He wished the best to his brother, hoping he will have a blissful and happy new life.
*****************************
14 years old
“Time’s up and pens down.” The teacher announced, “Pass your papers to the front of your row.”
Matt, sitting at the front of the row, collected all the exam papers from his classmate at his back and handed over to the teacher. “Whew.” He puffed out; this was the last big test for the semester. They still had to come back for the next couple days for parties and stuffs, then school will be off for 2 weeks for Christmas holiday.
“Class dismiss. Goodbye class.” The teacher said.
“Goodbye, Miss Chan.” The students bowed meekly. They packed up and ready to leave, showing happy faces and chatting to go for movies and ice-skating afterwards.
“Class rep, please help me to carry some of these papers back to the teachers room.” The teacher said to Matt as her hand was fully occupied with a big stack of test papers.
“Yes Miss Chan.” It was a routine job for the class rep. A graceful job anyway – the class rep was always picked from the top student in class.
Matt carried the papers and followed the teacher. The 14-year old teenager was growing tall and strong. They walked into the teachers room.
“Thank you.” His teacher Miss Chan said.
Matt was about to leave.
“Hey Matt.” A male teacher greeted the top student and flashed a box, “Want a cookie? My wife made them.”
“Thank you Mr. Lee.” Matt took one and said.
“It’s after school hours now.” The male teacher showed a pose from the recent movie, “Call me Bond; James Bond.”
Matt chuckled.
The other teachers in the room laughed, “Since when did you change your last name?”
“…Bond is my middle name…”
The teachers in this school were ever so friendly and cheering, yet when it comes to serious academic and teaching, they were the best guides to their students.
“…oh Mrs. Yip.” They really became serious and quieted down a bit at the moment, seeing the principal walking by.
“Calm down. I’m just passing by. Pretend you guys didn’t see me.” The kind principal tittered, “By the way, I heard there’re cookies.”
“Yes sure.” Mr. ‘James’ Lee quickly offered.
“Thanks.” Mrs. Yip reached over, “Wow…good cookies.”
“Mrs. Yip.” Matt meekly greeted at the door.
“Matthew Tong.” Mrs. Yip smiled as they walked down the hallway, “How are you doing?”
“Pretty good.” Matt answered. He peeked down to the outdoor basketball court where some guys were practicing their shots. They just got picked to the school team.
“I see you playing basketball with them sometimes. You seem to enjoy it a lot.” Mrs. Yip asked, “Did you join the team?”
“No I didn’t. I only play basketball once in a while for fun and exercises.” Matt said frankly, “I want to focus my time on studying.”
“Since Grade 1 to Form 3 now, you’ve always been such a little bookworm.” The old scholar smiled softly at this boy whom she knew, from little to teenage, “I’ve said many many times that grades are important, but you should also get more involved in extracurricular activities. We want all our students to have a balance and be a well-rounded person.”
Matt bit his lips.
“You just won a medal for our school in the district Math competition. Now next year, before I retire, I want you to win a medal for our school basketball team. Promise?” Mrs. Yip patted his shoulder, “I’m sure your dad in Heaven would love to see that too.”
“I understand, Mrs. Yip.” Matt agreed.
“And how’s Danny doing? Other teachers and I sure miss him a lot, ever since he left. Especially his class teacher…she still asks about him all the times.” Mrs. Yip asked caringly.
Danny started here at St. Peter’s School together with Matt at Grade 1, and attended the special needs program. But 2 years ago, when he was adopted, his new parents transferred him away to another school of solely special needs students.
“I really don’t think he enjoys his new school. Every time I ask him about school stuffs, he doesn’t tell me much. But his adopted parents keep saying the school is good for him.” Matt could not do much.
“Do you still go visit him and bring him out very often?” Mrs. Yip asked.
“Of course.” Despite living apart now, it was no doubt how Matt’s love to his twin brother never changed, “But for the last little while, I was busy with the big tests.. I haven’t seen him for a month. That’s bad. Now tests are over. I’m going to see him tonight.”
Later on, a few of his classmates called as Matt was waiting at the bus stop, “…hey Matt! What are you gonna wear tomorrow?” Their school had Christmas parties tomorrow; no classes, and no school uniforms. Just lots of fun.
“Don’t know yet. But I think Don’s gonna wear animal prints again like last year.” Matt giggled and pointed at another guy at the back.
“…holly molly…” The young guys booed and turned around to grab Don.
Matt laughed at his friends and hopped on the bus.
***************************
Matt rang the door bell for a while, then finally the door was opened.
“Good evening Mr. Chang.” Matt greeted politely.
“Oh.” Mr. Chang, Danny’s adopted father, mumbled.
Matt expected this cold attitude from him.
“…hi.” Danny’s adopted mother had a glance at him, “Help yourself.”
“Mrs. Chang.” Matt called.
The couple were sure being less and less friendly to him every time.
Matt walked into the spacious house with nice deco. Mr. Chang was a business man, and the family was doing quite well. Matt scanned around. A toddler was crawling on the floor. Mrs. Chang was cuddling and playing toys with him. Mr. Chang returned to the sofa to continue reading his car magazine.
There was no trace of Danny at the living room. The Pilipino maid was cleaning up the dining table. It looked like the family just finished dinner.
“Maria, ask Danny to come out for his dinner.” Mrs. Chang told the maid.
The maid walked to the other side of the house.
“I thought you all finished dinner already. Why is Danny eating now by himself?” Matt wondered.
“He’s tempered these days. We figure out it’s better to do it this way at least for now. See how it goes.” Mrs. Chang uttered while still had eyes at her young son.
Matt frowned.
“Don’t give us that look. He’s not eating leftovers. There’s food set aside and heated up for him.” Mr. Chang said.
“You know autism gets him emotional sometimes. He can’t help it though. But most of the time he’s ok. He never throws big temper like those other kids do. You just have to be soft and patience with him. You learned that from his social worker.” Matt was not happy, “Danny’s always been good.”
A teen, in neat and tidy casual outfits, came out to the living room. He saw Matt and happily hooked his arm.
“Yo.” A smile instantly glowed on Matt’s face, “Hey haven’t seen you for a month and you grew taller? Gee…I would have to exercise more to catch up on ya! We have to do the game again to measure who’s taller. No cheating and pointy toe huh?”
The brothers giggled at each other. Of course such game was for twins only. Privileged
The maid brought out some dishes and set up for Danny. He sat down and ate quietly.
Matt grabbed a seat beside him. He stroked Danny’s hair and watched him eating. What tempered? Danny looks pretty calm.
But Danny had become more and more quiet recently. Smile did not show as often on his face anymore. Matt noticed it.
“Danny, look what I’ve got for you!” Matt flashed a small oil brown bag, “Curry fish balls! Here…poke one…”
Danny peeked and sniffed. His face showed eager to pick one up, but his hand did not move. He looked restless.
Matt tempted, “I purposely asked for extra spicy this time. Ooooo…try one…”
“Ahem.” Mrs. Chang looked over, “Sorry to sound mean. But I thought I’ve told you a number of times not to bring such things to Danny anymore. We don’t want these dirty street food to show up in our house. Full of bacteria. Danny obviously shouldn’t eat them either.”
“I know they’re not the best food in the world. But just snacks once in a while. Danny loves them. We’ve been eating them since we were little. Never got us sick. What’s the problem?” Matt knew it was rude, but the woman’s words were irritating. He argued back.
“Danny is now our child. We have our own way to bring him up. Please don’t teach us what to do. You’re still a kid yourself.” Mrs. Chang said coldly.
Matt dragged on, “He’s your child but also my brother by blood. He…”
“Alright alright. Danny will eat for one last time. No more in the future.” To fight with a stubborn 14-year old was definitely not fun. Mrs. Chang softened up.
“Christmas is coming up. School is off soon. Any plans?” Matt asked Danny. He just dropped down his head on his eating. The question went to the Chang’s couple, “I remember the first year Danny came to your family, you two brought Danny to Tokyo Disney for the holiday. He had lots of fun and told me all these cartoon figures he saw.”
“Not going anywhere for the next little while.” Mrs. Chang hugged her young son, “Priority goes to take care of our 1-year old first.”
Danny did not say a word and had his head down on the food. Maybe he was expecting something from his adopted parents. He looked disappointed.
“…hm…” Matt thought, “Danny, why don’t we go to Funland this Sunday? We can go on the roller coaster. You will scream again like last time.”
Danny peeked at his adopted parents for permission.
Both of them did not answer. One’s concentration was his magazine, and the other one was on the young child.
“Ahem…could I please take Danny out this coming Sunday?” Matt raised his voice.
“Yeah.” Mr. Chang mumbled.
Mrs. Chang said uncaringly, “Could take him to anywhere you want.”
“I will come pick you up Sunday morning.” Matt smiled.
Danny dropped down his head once again on his eating.
Matt fell in thoughts. The first time he met the Chang’s couple at the orphanage, they were so soft and kind, so soft and kind that Matt encouraged Danny to go with them. When Danny first came to this new home, they were so loving and caring to him, up until the moment their own baby was born. Since then, everything suddenly seemed to have changed.
Matt watched to the living room: the father resting on the sofa, the mother and the toddler fiddling together. They formed a family of three.
Lonely Danny was by himself at the dining table. He did not seem to belong.
*********************************
Early Sunday morning, Matt went to pick up Danny to go to the amusement park. He did not sleep well last night. He did not know why…just something did not feel right and made him flip back and forth on the bed. When he yawned and hopped off the bus, he saw the Chang’s family car driving away from the parking lot. Inside the car were the couple and their baby. Danny was not with them though.
Matt wondered, “Maid is off Sunday and now mom and dad are out. Who’s taking care of Danny at home? He never stays home alone. He’ll be really scared.” He buzzed their suite number at the secured entrance of the high-end apartment, but no one answered. At this time, someone just stepped out, so Matt quickly caught the door and went in.
“…buzz…buzz…” Matt kept ringing the door bell but no one came out to answer. “Danny’s home alone? Or he’s not even inside? But where’s he?” A very uncomfortable feeling arose in his heart.
There’s something wrong with Danny.
Something wrong with Danny. Matt could feel it. He cannot explain it. It was just a feeling, a sense, a telepathy; a telepathy between the twins.
“…Danny? Are you in there? Danny?” Matt knocked on the door and got worried. He spun around to the only other suite on the floor. With Matt’s such yelling and knocking, still no one from that suite came out for a peek, so obviously no one was there to possibly help Matt.
“Gosh…what happened?” Matt helplessly stomped, “What can I do?!”