"Promise"

Andrew was getting ready for his date, he dated girls because he had found the peace in it his mother promised he‘d never find. The thought of his mother made him shed tears; he went into a state unexplainable of his sub-conscious mind. He could feel the pain again, almost as reliving his life. Andrew opened his eyes but he wasn’t met by the calmness of his room nor the warmness, but the cold iciness of his mom’s harsh slap, “Andrew what have you done with the painting! I told you to colour the sun red not orange.” “Ma but this is red, it’s reddish orange.” Andrew replied crying. “Don’t you show me the smartness kid!”Andrew was met by another cold slap, but as soon as he got the cold feeling it was relieved by the warm hands of father hugging him tightly tears rushing down Andrew’s cheeks “Mary how can you be such a monster? He’s just a little kid.” Andrew’s father complained “Well I was just trying to turn this young man into something and I don’t care what you think, I am going to turn this little boy into a man.” Mary snapped back. Andrew slept that night in peace, but all nights weren’t like that some were bad, others made Andrew wonder why he even was born. But not all was chaotic in Andrew’s life he had a friend named Kelly who lived just next door, they used to play hide and seek together, they used to visit the woods, collect rocks and pebbles sing and dance. They even made a pet dog Milo, Kelly was pretty much Andrew’s only hope in his world of despair, sometimes Andrew was allowed a night stay at Kelly’s house, nights he always remembered, and those nights he would wear his night suit, ring the door bell of Kelly’s house, Mrs. Castle would open the door and greet him warmly, then Kelly and he would play board games, watch movies and eat dinner. Then came Andrew’s favourite part bedtime, Mrs. Castle would tuck Kelly and Andrew in the bed and then read them a bedtime story till they fell asleep. Many days went by, many nights went like this. Andrew’s hope gradually began to grow until one day the dreaded news came to him, Kelly was leaving the township, and his heart skipped beats as he saw outside Kelly packing her items he ran to the next door, standing in front of her motionless Kelly began to speak but Andrew grabbed her and gave her a tight hug tears began running down both of their cheeks, Kelly now said “Were going to meet later alligator. Promise.” “Ok then after a while Crocodile.” A brief smile was on both their faces. Instantly Andrew snapped out of this state as his house bell ran, he got ready and had a nice date……… 

Some years later Andrew was married to the wife of his choice, he had a high paid job as a journalist at a news company, he even had a boy named James, but still he thought something was still missing from his life, Kelly’s dreams still haunted him day after day. Andrew was in his favourite restaurant just then he caught glimpse of Kelly he quickly out of instinct walked to her she gave Andrew a annoyed look “What’s your problem mister?” she said. “Kelly you don’t remember me, it’s me Andrew.” Andrew said in excitement, Kelly’s eyes widened, “Andrew you nut job I had been looking for you all over in this town.” “Likewise.” Andrew said. They both talked for what seemed ages. Andrew arrived home happily, just when he saw his wife…. The horrors of his mother rushed in his brain making tears roll down his face, he just picked James and ran outside he didn’t know why, his wife’s yells could be heard in the background, but still he kept running till he reached the restaurant, where he broke down in tears, just then Kelly rushed to him tightly and whispered, “Promise.”