As the sun slowly sets, Amelia and Ramiel were travelling homebound, a few people who knew them whispered and talk among themselves with animosity as the two walked down the streets coming from the orphanage Amelia ignored them and just asks what was his favorite thing to do while he was at Miss Dolores place, he just nods and said a few words but to her delight, he told his mother the best part of being with his friend was when she picked her up after his lessons, he shared a lot of things with her mother, most of them were silly and full of childlike wonder, from imaginary adventures to reading a book to helping other kids do some chores. this conversation helps them get distracted from the long way home, after twenty minutes Amelia stood in front of her house carrying her tired son on her back.

as she gets her door key an old couple sitting on their porch wave their hands at her and smiled at Amelia it was her neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Liu Chen, they were around seventy years old but still looks very healthy and energetic for their age. they were both around five feet tall and most of the time speaks Cantonese than English when they argue. they called out to Amelia to join them inside their house so they can rest comfortably and not always think about what could happen went they are both alone and sleeping inside their home, It was like their second home, the two were too tired to reject the offer so she place her key inside the bag and went over to Mr. and Mrs. Lu Chen, they were both welcomed with warm open arms.

ever since Amelia moved in right beside them, they never hesitated to knock on her door even especially whenever her husband comes home and gets infuriated and starts beating her up, her husband would stop hitting her if he knew there was somebody that might get evidence of his abuse. even if Amelia's husband stood six feet tall and Mr. Tang Lu Chen was only five feet tall he would bring his wooden cane and starts swinging it at him, the senior couple had filled so many police reports stating that there was domestic violence against their neighbors. even ask Amelia to just get a divorce. Amelia would beg the old couple not to act harshly she knew doing this might trigger something more than just the random domestic beatings, she fears for her newborn son's life.

but no police report nor a restraining order would stop Amelia's husband from illegally entering her home, so the couple usually sat on their porch and gave out signals if they spotted her husband in the area this became a daily routine and became one of the reasons why Amelia and Ramiel were Still alive was with the help of the Liu Chen.

the Liu Chen have a small vegetable garden in their backyard and every weekday they would knock on her door asking if she wants some vegetables and Mr Tang would ask Amelia to help them harvest some sweet potatoes. while Mrs. Mao would take care of the young 4-year-old boy before.

Mr Liu Chen's first name is Tang and his wife is named Mao. Mr Tang was a bit chubby and had a mole right beside his left cheek and white hair. he liked Ramiel whenever he would visit them to help with their chores like harvesting potatoes in the garden, Mr. Tang would notice his curiosity and eagerness to know things about their Chinese Language and Culture. when he turned 5 years old he casually slowly walk up the stairs with Mr Tang while he was sitting on their porch drinking Green Tea.

Ramiel then politely ask what was he reading, Mr. tang was surprisingly happy to see the young boy and ask his wife to bring some snacks, Amelia would seek out her son if she could not see him within the premises of their home, she knew there was one other place he could go so she went at her backyard to peek at the backyard fence to see if there somebody at the Liu Chen patio.

if there was no one there she would gather some courage and personally visit the Liu Chen's home, there Mrs Mao would wave at her even before she could say anything and Mrs Mao tap the top of the chair right beside where she was sitting and offers Amelia a cup of tea, and with a smile she assured her little boy was safe and touring the house with her husband and sharing all her Mr Tang exploits when he was young, the boy eyes would always grow wide as he listens attentively to all Mr Tang stories.

the two old couples understood what Miss Dolores saw in the young boy, so they both decided to help him expand his knowledge of all aspects of life including the old Chinese culture. for the past few months, Amelia and Ramiel would always come over to the Lu Chen's home to help out and got to see how the couple live their daily life like clockwork,

it was already morning Amelia s about to get off bed went Mrs Mao opened and knocked on the door and ask if they are already up because breakfast was getting cold. the couple is eager to accept the two in their home as an excuse for them to see Ramiel and protect them whenever her husband suddenly shows up at their home.

February 17. 11:50 pm

and last night was one of those moments, a few minutes right after the mother and son settled in one of the Chen guests' rooms, a loud bang was heard over Amelia's. home Mrs Mao took a glimpse at her right window facing beside Amelia's home, there she saw a drunk man and heard him shouting asking her to forgive him, this went on for a few minutes and when nobody answered the man got furious and started to kick the door hard enough for the rest of the neighborhood to hear and finally react. at this exact moment, the angry man knew this was not the right moment to get into a difficult situation, and going to jail again was not an option, so then and there he stops what he was doing and left Amelia's front door.

Amelia was at some point at ease when she knew her son was safe from Monday to Friday with the help of Miss Dolores Tesfaye and again on weekdays with the protection from Mr and Mrs Lu Chen while harvesting some vegetables Mrs Mao Carrying Ramiel asks her husband if he was willing to accept Amelia as their kitchen helper. Mr Tang was putting fresh harvested Potatoes in a wooded crate and said if she is willing to get paid working here and be part of their charity work it's not that big but she can have as much produce as she can carry.

February 17. 6:30 am

the sun was already up and Amelia was the first one to wake up. right beside her was Ramiel still sleeping soundly, there she could notice the big difference between her home and the Lu Chen, their home was well maintained as if the place was in good shape all the fixtures are in perfect condition. even the bed linen that they were using was soft and smelled clean and feel extravagant, it reminded her of her life before.

when Amelia opened the Guest room door and saw Mrs Mao and told her to get ready because it was that day of the week again, Amelia was shocked to recall what it was now after all the bad things that happened yesterday she forgot that today was Mr and Mrs Lu Chen free food charity mission.

she asks Mrs Mao to give her ten minutes she saw a thumbs up from a five-foot Chinese woman a sign that she must hurry, all the things she must do like take a shower, eat breakfast, and drink coffee all done within that time frame. six loud hand claps from Mrs Mao were the sound of real accomplishment.

she knew it was not enough for them to live on but she understood what Mr and Mrs Lu Chen wanted to say so without any hesitation she did agree to help them every weekend.

she remembers a memory while peeling some potatoes a few months ago it was around 4 am before sunrise a truck stopped in front of the Lu Chen's home and six muscular Chinese men went out of the truck and transported a handful of crates inside their garage . she unknowingly saw this when she heard he was having a nightmare.

there she witness this event and was curious but too shy to ask them about it before, but gradually when she started to help out Mrs Mao shared details of that particular time so she wouldn't worry too much about, Mrs Mao skinny with short wavy hair small nose and lips and loves to cook, Ramiel went down and saw his mother preparing something in Mrs Mao kitchen, Amelia told him so sit down and eat breakfast while Mr Tang was still sitting in the table drinking his hot tea and reading a Chinese newspaper.

He grab the chair near the table and slowly sat on it, Mr. Tang was peeking if the young boy was able to do it with no fail remarkably he sat in front of him with ease. Mr Tang without looking extended his free hand and move the plate with flapjacks and after that Mr Tang decided to move the syrup near Ramiel.

Mrs Mao saw what her husband did while holding a ladle she spoke in Chinese

"why didn't you do that to me before?"

Mr . Tang answered,

"you are not a small child."

then Ramiel spoke to their shock Mrs Mao drop the ladle on the floor and Amelia just looked at his son with wide eyes.

"Mr Tang, you should be nice to Mrs Mao she is your wife and a good cook."

Mr Tang burst out a loud laugh and answered back.'

"How can you speak our language so fluently? you are just 4 years old."

"grandpa! I just turned five years old today. "

with a shocked look, Mrs Mao just pick up the ladle from the floor and place it in the kitchen sink, and gave out a noisy sigh!

"Miss Dolores was 100 per cent right about your son. he is a gift from the sky. Amelia with a proud look in her eye answered with full confidence "

Amelie with a smile on her lips and said "yes! I am so proud of him!"

Ramiel was almost done eating when Mr Tang stood up folded his newspaper and told him to follow him into his office after eating, so his wife and mother won't be disturbed by the things they are doing for their community charity. the young boy nodded and said

"yes! Mr. tang I will be there right after I finish eating these delicious flapjacks."

the two women giggle with delight to hear the young man was having an insightful conversation with Mr Tang in his native tongue. after a few minutes, he stood up and started to clean up his plates when Mrs Mao said he doesn't need to d that for Mr Tang is waiting for him in his office. with a hug on Mrs Mao's waist, she brush his head and said

"you are such a good child."

he ran toward his mother and did the same thing but instead of a light brush on the head, she bend down and kiss him on the cheek and said happy birthday. so Amelia and Mrs Mao continued what they were doing and let Mr Tang teach Ramiel more things about their culture, Amelia would peek at the two from time to time just to make sure he is behaving there, she saw his attention to every word and object that Mr Tang would boast. he would giggle and ask more intriguing questions to the old Chinese man.

February 17. 7:30 am

the smell of delicious aroma filled the Lu Chen house. Mr Tang would lift his nose to smell the fragrance as soon Ramiel saw want the old man was doing he did the same thing and inhaled deeply to satisfy his rumbling tummy.

Mr Tang asks him to accompany him to carefully sneak into the kitchen so they can grab something to eat to their dismay the moment they step outside of the room, Mrs Mao, already knew what there are planning so like kids the three were like cats and mice. Amelia watch them as she place each dish they made into a secure container the doorbell rang Mrs Mao abruptly stop from chasing her husband and Ramiel.

Mr Tang with a soft tone asked Amelia and gently grab Ramiel by the shoulder and send him toward his mother he pointed to go inside his office and stay there. but even before they could all move a woman's voice suddenly spoke. it was Misss Dolores Tesfaye as soon as they heard her Mr Tang came to the door and still looked at the door pick hole and made sure it was her.

after confirming, that it was Miss Dolores Tesfaye whom they knew, he unlock the door and took out the lock chains and opened the door gently a lovely African woman greeted him with a smile. like Mr and Mrs Liu Chen she was secretly protective of the current situation and location of Amelia and Ramiel.

the two sides were already in cohort concerning the mother and child's safety for months, Miss Dolores walked in and saw Mrs Mao and looked at her eyes with a small signal hint from their eyes as soon as could react he ran toward his teacher and hugged her.

this was the very first time she came to join them, Mrs. Mao told Amelia that after she agreed to help out in their charity Mrs Mao contacted Miss Dolores if she was interested to join them. due to a certain obligation to another group, she wasn't able to come until now.

Mrs Mao was walking toward Miss Dolores while wiping her hand dry with a cloth soon after she place it on her left shoulder and utter an Amharic question to her.

"to whom the sun rises, even the devil can not stop?"

she responded in Chinese

"only the son of a great woman can face the great darkness."

then they both shook hands and hugged, Amelia and Ramiel were baffled by what they saw, Mr. Tang saw their perplexed reaction and started to gather all of their attention and asked them a simple question

"who is hungry?"

Ramiel raised his hand and wave it from left to right and started to jump to verify he was really hungry, as Amelia took out a small birthday cake, he was happy thinking this was his very first birthday party with all of his loved ones, everybody became emotional hearing the boys' words after he blew the candle, Mr Tang told everybody to proceed into the dining hall so their get-together will finally start.

while they were fixing the dining table for the charity including Ramiels small party, Mr Tang pull out his phone and called his acquaintance and he spoke in Chinese.

"the food is ready, you can send the boys here to our place to gather the container of food."

"and be mindful and respectful to our guests here."

Mr Tang's attitude was different, and his demeanour changed drastically from a jolly grandfather to somewhat of a fearless tiger ready to pounce at its prey. a light tug made him look down, it was Ramiel with a sparkling stare he said,

"Grandfather, I am hungry can we please eat?"