| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“Danny has come all 22 weekdays this month. This is his fourth consecutive month for making it. Good job.” Betty read the report and smiled, “You understand. The purpose for Caring Society to run this workshop is to give an opportunity for the special needs to learn some technical skills, in a socializing and friendly environment, and earn a little bit of income at the same time. Our goal is to help them build up their confidence that “they can do it”… as well as the others in the society. We encourage them to learn, work, participate and get involved with others at the workshop.”
Yes, it was not always easy for the apprentices to come to the workshop everyday. They could miss because of various reasons: illness, emotional problems, or simply that their guardians did not bother bringing them in to save the trouble. So by having the full attendance, it was an effort made by both the apprentices themselves and their guardians.
Matt, of course, was one of the few guardians who put in that effort.
“Danny will be happy to see the full pay cheque. For sure he will treat me for an ice-cream dinner again like what he did the past few times.” Matt smiled.
“As far as the work Danny did this month,” Betty continued, “as usual the things our workshop does are mostly for non-profits and charity organizations. This month, Danny’s team has been doing some work for Girls Guide Association for their upcoming annual fundraising events. Danny and his team made flags, banners, compile campaign brochures, and did various clerical jobs for them.”
Matt nodded; Danny had been telling him most of these during their chats every night.
“Danny indeed has some talents in craftwork. For example, all the flags and banners etc they make have to follow the drafts and samples by the Girls Guide Association. We see that Danny can have a quick look at the sample, and then make a replicate of almost identical. And he enjoys doing craftwork too. He learns and works much better and faster in craftwork than…say…clerical stuffs like typing.”
Matt sighed, “Yes Betty, you mentioned that in the past. Danny has the talents, but too bad I can’t help him on that. I understand…if these talents get proper training and guidance then it might turn into a big success. But I really can’t afford to send him to an art school or something.”
Betty understood.
“But Danny seems to enjoy this workshop a lot. He always tells me what he’s learning, what he’s working on, and even some new friends he met.” Matt perked up and smiled, “He’s certainty happier and open-minded than before. So thank you to all of you staff here.”
“Matt, have you noticed anything on Danny’s emotions lately?” Betty asked.
“Hm…some little things happened at home a few days ago. Since then Danny hasn’t been talking much to me. I thought he’s just throwing temper at me and it’ll be ok maybe a couple days later.” Matt wondered, “Why? Anything wrong with him at the workshop?”
“In the last few days, he’s been really quiet. I mean, he’s always quiet, but he also looks depressed recently. He just sits there and when we ask him to do anything, he refuses and ignores us. Danny’s been here for 2 years, and except in the first couple months that he was struggling through the new environment, since then he’s been good all the way. I haven’t seen him behaving like so recently.” Betty was concerned, “And this morning, he went missing and we finally found him hiding at the stairway…crying.”
Matt was surprised and worried.
“I asked him what happened and at first he didn’t say anything. Then, to the best I could hear and understand, he said something like…” Betty took out her notes, “…he didn’t do it on purpose…big bang in the bathroom…Ivy’s not doing ok…might have bumped her head like he did last time…he knocked already…he remembered Matty said to always knock on the door…he didn’t forget…he’s been good…but Matty is mad…”
Matt was shocked.
“…you have any idea to this?” Betty asked.
“…yes. I know what happened now.” Matt deeply sighed. He felt very bad for mistaken on Danny.
They left the office.
“So Danny, here’s your salaries and all 22 days of allowance for coming over everyday this month! Good job, Danny. Keep it up!” Betty patted and encouraged Danny. She passed him the cheque.
Danny did not look as excited as he always did when he got his money. He stuffed the cheque in Matt’s hand, as usual, but with a dull face.
“…I will have a good talk with him.” Matt whispered to Betty.
She nodded.
“Alright Danny, let’s go. Say bye-bye to Betty huh?” Matt said.
Danny grasped on Matt’s t-shirt and hid behind him, looking away.
Matt and Danny went to the bank machine.
“…now Danny. I have put your salaries into your account. And...got some money out.” Matt put the bills in Danny’s wallet and secured it back into his bag, “So remember what I always say? Keep the money carefully, ok? You can buy snacks and pops, or take a taxi in emergency. Ok?” Matt taught Danny, though there was seldom chance that Danny would be alone on the street anyway…but just in case.
Danny had his head down and did not respond.
Matt knew what was in his head; he was still mad at Matt for mistaken on him.
“So today is pay day! Wow. You want to treat yourself with an ice-cream dinner again?” Matt tried to cheer Danny up.
Danny still did not say a word.
“…Matty feels like having ice-cream. Can Danny treat Matty for an ice-cream?” Matt smiled.
Finally, Danny nodded.
They bought a bucket of chocolate ice-cream and went to the outdoor basketball court of a community center nearby. They sat up at the bleaches and watched some boys having a basketball game. It was one of the favourite free entertainments at night for the two brothers.
“Wow…good huh?” Matt had another scoop from the ice-cream bucket on his lap.
“Hm.” Danny dug his spoon in and had another scoop too.
Matt looked at Danny, “…hm Danny. I have to say sorry to you.”
Danny bit his lips.
“I know what happened that day. I made a mistake.” Matt apologized, “You heard some noise in the bathroom and worried that something went wrong with Ivy. You knocked on the door…probably she didn’t hear it because of the shower and so she didn’t answer. So you went in to check out on her. Am I correct?”
Danny grunt.
“You were just worrying about Ivy and wanted to make sure she’s ok. You were being nice.” Matt felt bad, “But we mistaken on you. So sorry, Danny.”
Danny did not comment and kept his head down.
“You didn’t tell me the story. You didn’t tell me you aren’t happy and cried. That’s not right, Danny.” Matt said softly, “We hooked little fingers that you’ll chat with me about everything. What now…Danny doesn’t trust Matty anymore huh?”
Danny shook his head.
“Then why didn’t you say it out?”
“…Matty’s mad.” Danny whispered.
“I ain’t mad at you, Danny. I’ll never be mad at you.” Matt patted his head gently, “Don’t do that again. Don’t keep everything in here.” Matt pointed at his heart, “Will have to tell me everything…happy and unhappy…everything. Ok?”
“Ok.” Danny said meekly.
“Good boy.” Matt smiled.
“Ivy’s mad too.” Danny was worried.
“She’ll be fine. I’ll talk to her and tell her what happened.” Matt comforted, “She won’t be mad at you. Promise.”
Danny looked a lot eased up.
“Come on…ice-cream is melting! Look!” Matt raised his arm, “Let’s race to finish it off!”
Danny giggled.
Matt counted, “…1 2 3 Go!”
The two of them instantly dipped their spoons in for the fastest scoops.
“…hurray…” The audience cheered at a nice shot.
“Woohoo!” Matt waved his arms excitingly.
“Woohoo!” Danny imitated his brother and cheered also. Then he asked, “…why everyone so happy?”
Matty taught Danny, “It’s because it was nice shot! Remember Matty said at that spot the score is…”
******************************
“I asked you to come out a few times, but every time you say you’re really busy.” Matt looked at Ivy.
“Matt, do you notice something different on me today?” Ivy asked.
“Different?” Matt scratched his head, “…hair? It looks curlier…or maybe no…it’s been like that for a while. Skirt? Is this a new skirt? Gosh you know I ain’t good at telling on these things…”
Ivy was disappointed.
“…nice bag.” Matt finally saw it, “Wow…a brand name one. Must be real not fake one huh? Didn’t you have another brand name one too? That pink flowery one last time, remember? You bought another new one again? You just love shopping, haha. How much did it cost you?”
Ivy did not say a word.
“Are you still mad at what happened at my place last time?” Matt sighed, “That was just a mistake! I found out the story. That day…”
Ivy stopped him, “Never mind on that. Matt, just answer me…do you really love me?”
“Of course.” Matt smiled and grasped her hand sweetly, “Can you feel it? Alright come on, feel my heart…” He put her hand over him.
Ivy looked serious, “Matt, am I your no. 1?”
Matt chuckled, “Why need to ask that? Silly question…of course you’re the most important to me.”
“Even more important than Danny?”
“Totally different things here! How can you make such comparison? You’re my girlfriend. Danny is my brother. I love you both!” Matt did not understand what she was trying to say.
“If you have to pick one…either me or Danny, who would you pick?” Ivy abruptly asked.
“What are you talking about?” Matt wondered, “What do you mean by picking one over another. You both are as important to me. You both will stay with me. There’re no conflicts.”
“What if you must pick one? Either me or Danny?” Ivy insisted, “Would you pick me? Would you stay with me ONLY and leave Danny behind?”
“Leave Danny behind? At where?” Matt slightly frowned.
“For example, there are whole bunch of social services and charity places. Lots of options! They can take care of Danny! You don’t necessarily have to put everything on your shoulder! It’s been too much for you, Matt!” Ivy raised her voice.
“Ivy, I don’t know what you’re getting at. Danny is my brother….my twin younger brother! What social services and charity?! What’s the point of that? I will be the one and only taking care of him!” Matt was a bit upset.
“He’s a burden! A heavy burden!”
“I never think Danny is a burden!” Matt raised his brows, “Even if so, I will bare it on my shoulder. We lost our parents, so it is my responsibility to take care of Danny. As simple as that.”
Ivy stared at him, “Just because you were born 5 minutes earlier than he did, you feel you’re obligated. You have to take up this responsibility.”
“Yeah.”
“…because of this responsibility, you had to drop school at 14, and thereafter drag your feet on any job opportunities only because you want nothing but a stable pay and stable working hours. He eats fresh nutritious food while you take the takeovers from him. He gets new clothes while you buy second-hand ones from thrift shops and stitch them here and there for years until they’re non-wearable.” Ivy looked at Matt, “Even so, you are still willing to take this responsibility. You are still willing to bare him all on your shoulder. You are still willing to forfeit yourself and give him the best.”
“For sure.” Matt found it obvious, “What’s the problem of that?”
Ivy sighed deeply.
“Hm?” Matt did not understand why she was getting so moody. He wanted to cheer her up, “Let’s go for dinner now.”
Ivy bit her lips.
Matt sounded excited, “Hey Rico’s Café has a dinner specials! It comes with appetizers chicken wings! Wow…such good deal. And you always love their chicken wings, right?”
Rico’s Café.
“Alright. Rico’s Café sounds good.” Ivy said softly.
“I know I know, you don’t like Danny to tag along our dates all the time. Hey, he actually has a class at the adult daycare center tonight. I registered him for this music class and it’s every Wednesday night! So he can have some fun while the two of us enjoy some romantic time together! See? It works.” Matt pecked her cheek, “So don’t ever mention again about leaving Danny behind somewhere blah blah blah, okie?”
“Ok. Promised. I won’t mention it again.” Ivy gazed at him, “This would be the last time.”
Last time.