That night, Michael came to Sao’s house only to slap him.
“You idiot!” Michael shouted. “I can’t leave you alone for anything can I!”
“So then leave!”
“You’ll kill yourself!” Michael shouted, slapping Sao’s other cheek. “Last time I left you for my Momma’s funeral with Pappa, and your Momma had a meeting to go too- you slit your wrists and were in the hospital when we came back!”
Sao rubbed his cheek, looking to his brother.
“You think I want to leave my brother alone like that?” Michael asked. “My little brother who’s so scared to be alone he’ll kill himself when left alone for too long! I thought that’s why you got Letty- to keep you company and be your companion!”
“He wasn’t what I wanted!”
“Why?” Michael shook his head, “Because he’s a boy?” Sao didn’t move. “Look. He may be a boy, and he may be a machine- but he does have feelings.”
“Ha…”
Michael shook his head, backing away. “You think he doesn’t feel bad right now? He’s in a toy shop trying to sell kids toys and junk, and trying to smile… Even though his owner got him and didn’t want him—for the last five owners!”
“So then maybe he wasn’t meant to be made!”
“…Would you say that to a kid who’s been having such rotten luck with their family too?” Michael asked. “That their parents gave them up, and foster homes and what not didn’t want them… Would you tell that to them also? That they weren’t meant to be born?”
Sao didn’t move to answer, just looked down.
“You’re a pretty pathetic guy.” Michael shook his head, turning to walk away. “But you know, I won’t tell you that means you weren’t supposed to be born. I like having a little brother, and I believe you’re here for a reason just like I am… and even if that reason’s small- it’s still a reason.”
And Michael slammed the door shut.
Sao stood there for a long time, just thinking on those last few words his brother had said. They kept ringing in his ears.
Finally, Sao just went to bed and tried to sleep that night.
He skipped school the next day, heading to the mall instead. He waited by the kid’s toyshop until ten, when it opened, and went in.
Sao looked around casually as if to buy something, then went over to the counter. “Hi… I’m looking for a guy about my age with black and red hair?”
“And you are?” asked the man at the counter.
“Sao Hishi.”
“Hmmm I don’t know…” the man pawed his hand through his thick beard as the thought. “Maybe he’ll come see you… I’ll be right back.” The man bowed, turning to go behind the counter and disappeared behind an EMPOYEES ONLY door.
A few minutes later, the man came back out, followed by Letty.
Sao nodded, with a slight smile, at Letty. “Hey.”
Letty nodded a bit, dressed in some khaki pants and a white button up shirt with simple slip-on shoes. “Hello.” He said softly.
“Why don’t you go talk over in the back?” the man asked.
Letty nodded, “Sure.” He started to walk around the counter, stopping for a minute to see if Sao would follow. Sao got the hint, and started after Letty. Letty lead them to a small table in a far back room on the other end of the store.
Letty sat himself down on the beanbag chair inside, picking up one of the books from the many shelves around them.
Sao looked around the alcove, all the children’s books. “So, how are you doing?”
“He’s letting me stay here until I can get enough to rent my own place.” Letty said.
Sao nodded, looking to him. “You know, no matter how much you try, you won’t be human.”
Letty slowly looked down and nodded. “Yes, I know that.” He looked at the book his lap and smiled. “I found a good saying in this one.”
“Oh?” Sao asked, not really interested.
“Yes.” Letty nodded, wanting to tell Sao the phrase anyway. “It says…” He flipped open the book and read it, from a marked page, “We do not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
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