My Imaginary Friend

“Good morning.” Said a voice from across my room, I should have been scared to hear such a thing but I knew it was just my imaginary friend, Mr. Beelzebub. He is a tall man with long skinny legs, skinny arms, pale skin and blonde, straight hair. His eyes are blue and icy, the same as his voice.

I used to be scared of Mr. Beelzebub but he never tries to hurt me. He listens to me when nobody else will. I like him. Dad says that I made him up and he’s not real but I know even if he’s not real to others he’s still real to me. I never know when I will be getting to see Mr. Beelzebub because he is a very busy man, but whenever I’m sad or angry Mr. Beelzebub will tap on my window and I let him in. He sits in my rocking chair and lets me talk to him about whatever I would like. He always gives me advice and never tells me that I’m wrong or I am being silly. Once I asked my dad to help me with my colours and shapes homework, but my dad is also a very busy man and said he couldn’t help me. He told me to go up to my room and to figure it out by myself. I tried to figure it out for 30 minutes, and never filled out any of the work. I started crying out of frustration but then my friend tapped on my window and helped me do it. I got 100% on that assignment. I never feel alone anymore.

I didn’t open my eyes, because it was so bright out and Mr. Beelzebub opened my blinds when he came in.

“It’s always a good morning when you get here,” I said. I’m always super excited to see Mr. Beelzebub first thing in the morning, which is rare because he doesn’t want my parents to see him. Today my parents have gone to work before I’m even awake, which has been happening more times than less lately, so seeing Mr. Beelzebub in the morning is getting less rare. I don’t know how to make breakfast yet so Mr. Beelzebub asked me what I want. I opened my eyes and they burned for a few seconds. I looked over to my friend. He already knew what I want, because it’s the only thing I ask for, but he asks me every time in case I change my mind.

“Waffles of course,” I said.

“Ah yes waffles, how could I forget!” He responded as if the question were stupid while smacking his head.

I know that I have them every morning that Mr. Beelzebub is here but I know mom would never make them for me. Mr. Beelzebub makes whatever I ask.

Spoiled brat. My mother’s words ring in my head.

He grabbed my hand to pull me out of bed, but I was being lazy and only let that half of my body be pulled up. Mr. Beelzebub then grabbed me around the waist and threw me over his shoulder. I was shaking with laughter, as was he and he walked us over to the stairs while holding me. He set me down just before the last stair and started walking down the carpeted stairs. I was still dizzy from being spun around so I held on tightly to the wooden railing the whole way down. I turned the corner to find my friend stirring a bowl without holding the spoon. He simply just stared at the bowl and the spoon moved around. I’m still not scared because a while ago Mr. Beelzebub explained to me that some people in this world can do extraordinary things that only extraordinary people understand. I understand so that must mean I’m extraordinary. I don’t often get compliments from anyone except Mr. Beelzebub, that’s another reason I like him so much. I grabbed the waffle iron from the cupboard and tried to heave it up to the counter but I’m just little and could barely lift it. Mr. Beelzebub took it from me and lifted it to the counter with no struggle. He’s so strong despite his skinny arms. I watched as the bowl lifted off the counter and poured itself into the iron with a sizzle. My friend closed the lid and flipped it over then looked down at me. He knows I hate having to crane my neck to see him so he sat down on the ground with his legs crossed.

“How many are you going to eat today?” Mr. Beelzebub asked though once again he already knew my answer.

“As much as I can fit!” I yelled, enthusiastically. I love Mr. Beelzebub’s waffles. He chuckled at me and stood up again because the waffle iron beeped.

“ That's my cue." He said. I giggled and stood up too.

“You say that every time we make waffles!” Mr. Beelzebub poked at my tummy and took the waffle out of the iron with a fork. He placed it on a plate and took the plate to the dining table. I sat down at my spot and tried to reach my plate but my arms were too short. Suddenly my chair started floating in the air so I could reach it easier. My plate also slid closer to me. Mr. Beelzebub smiled at me and I started laughing again. Soon the syrup floated over to me and poured out on my waffles. I stuck my tongue out and the syrup came towards me and flowed onto my tongue. Some of it fell onto my lap, which is so silly since the pyjamas I was wearing were light blue with pancakes and waffles all over them. I got them for Christmas from Mr. Beelzebub. I ate my waffles very fast so that I can hear Mr. Beezlebub say;

“Oh my goodness you eat fast for a 4-year-old.” I think it's so funny when he says that. All the syrup and crumbs lift off on the plate and fork then they fly back to their spots. I jumped out of my chair but forgot that it was floating mid-air. I fell face-first into the ground. I didn't want to cry because dad says that boys should never cry. Mr. Beelzebub picked me up and asked me if I'm ok. The caring look in his eyes, that I don't get to see from anyone but him, made my lip quiver and my eyes sting. Mr. Beelzebub just hugged me and stroked my hair telling me that I'm ok. I wish that mom and dad would hug me when I get hurt. He kissed my forehead all better than I went upstairs to brush my teeth and get dressed. I tried to brush my teeth without the toothpaste because it's too spicy and I don't like it.

“ I got you something,” Mr. Beelzebub said, he pulled something out from behind him “ its strawberry flavoured toothpaste since you don't like the minty ones.”

He held out his hand and I gave him my toothbrush and he squeezed out some pink toothpaste onto my brush and handed it back to me. I ran it under the water and brushed my teeth. It tasted really good! I smiled at Mr. Beelzebub with bubbly teeth. I finished brushing my teeth and went back to my room with Mr. Beelzebub and he picked out a shirt with a dino on it and my soft grey joggers. My pyjamas flew off and my clothes flew on. Mr. Beelzebub sat me on my bed and put my stripey socks on. I ran down the stairs, Mr. Beelzebub chasing me. I sat down on my stool and Mr. Beelzebub put on and tied my shoes for me. I put on my hat and jacket and set off out the door.

Mr. Beelzebub made my lunch appear out of thin air and put it in my backpack that was on his shoulder. It's my favourite backpack because it has Spiderman on it. I also got this from Mr. Beelzebub. We took off walking to preschool, me holding his hand. We got about half a block from my school. Mr. Beelzebub kissed me on the forehead and I walked the rest of the way while he stood and watched. Before I walked to the door I turned around and waved goodbye. He waved back then disappeared. I pulled open the big heavy red door but struggled a bit.

I walked into the school, waving at Mrs. Olson who looked down at me with a pitiful smile and sad eyes. She feels bad for me, knowing that my mom and dad never walk me to school but it's ok. She doesn't know that I have Mr. Beelzebub.

I walk into the hallway and my classroom and hang my spiderman backpack in my cubby. I wish I was playing with Mr. Beelzebub, instead of being here at school with mean people. I walk over to my desk, which has my book about a puppy getting lost, and sit down. I don't have any friends at school which makes me sad but I knew I would get to go home after lunch and play with my imaginary friend.

Soon it was recess. I did not want to go outside, but I went anyway because the other kids were all going and the teachers wanted me to. I grabbed my jacket from my cubby but I couldn't get my zipper up so I went out and the wind made me feel like a superhero with my cape on. I threw my arm in the air and ran around the playground. If my friend was there I could have been flying for real. One of the 3-grade boys came up to me and snickered at me. He used to like Spiderman but now he's too old for that. He looked down at me and grabbed my arm. It hurt quite a bit but I know boys don't cry!

I remembered that morning when I did cry and it was fine, so maybe it was okay to cry now? I looked at the boy with tears in my eyes and realized immediately He didn't think it was okay to cry. He threw my arm down and kicked out my legs. I hit my head on a big rock. The boy laughed at me. I touched the back of my head and when I saw my hand, there was blood all over it. I could feel my eyes start burning. The boy saw my blood-covered hand and started running. I laid there not wanting other people to see me crying. Mrs. Olson came up to me once the bell had rung and everyone else went inside.

“What's wrong, Hunny?” she questioned. Once she saw my hand she scooped me up in her arms and carried me in. “Did you fall, and hit your head?” she asked, oblivious to what happened on the school playground.

As we were walking in the door, out of the corner of my eyes I saw Mr. Beelzebub. He looked at me for a few seconds then disappeared again before Mrs. Olsen could see him. We walked down the hallway with curious eyes glued on me. Mrs. Olsen kept her hand on the back of my head to not allow the blood to get on the floors. She was unsuccessful. The boy from earlier looked over to me and quickly ran into his classroom. We were finally able to swim through the hall of children and make it to the nurse's room. The first thing I saw was a mirror that showed my blond hair dyed red. The nurse rushed over to me and took me from Mrs. Olsen's arms.

“ Oh no, did we have a little accident on the playground?” the nurse asked me.

“ Yup fell and smacked his head pretty good.” Mrs. Olsen answered for me, “ I gotta go back to my classroom but I'll call home first.” Mrs. Olsen peered down at me, “ I'll go call mommy for you.” And with that, she walked away.

I knew that mom and dad would tell me I'm fine so they were not going to come here and take me home. The nurse set me down on the cot and brought over a wet cloth to wipe off the blood from my head. It stung as she rubbed but I didn't say anything. She was trying to get the already crusted blood off. She told me that I was going to be ok and just needed 2 stitches. She had to shave a little bit of my hair off to do it. That made me sad but the nurse told me it would grow back.

The phone rang.

“Hello? Oh yes hi, Mrs. Olsen. Oh ok, do you know why?” There was a short pause before the nurse started talking again. “Well ok but we should talk to them at the next PTI meeting. Yup ok bye bye then.” she set the phone back in its holder, “Sorry buddy, mommy and daddy can't come to see you but Ms. Nygaard is going to walk you home. Mommy says that there will be a babysitter there soon for you ok,” she said to me, I didn't know what I should say because I knew that mom or dad would never leave their very busy job just because I got hurt, and they have never hired a babysitter before. I just sat there quietly.

Then I got to hold a teddy bear while she gave me a needle and started stitching. It stung a lot and my eyes watered while the nurse asked me about what I'm learning in school. I counted all the way up to 50 and she said I was so smart! Soon enough we were all finished and I got to go meet Ms. Nygaard in the hallway. She helped me zip up my jacket and we started walking home.

“ How did you fall?” she questioned. I didn't want to get that boy in trouble because what if he isn't allowed to have snacks because of me? When I broke the vase at home mom and dad went out for supper and left me at home. Mr. Beelzebub made me super that night because mom didn't make me anything or bring home anything for me after.

“I fell.” I said, Ms. Nygaard looked at me confused because I still didn't say how I fell but she decided to leave it alone. We got to the house and I knew that mom and dad lied because I’ve never had a babysitter, so I was surprised when someone opened the door when Ms. Nygaard knocked. It was Mr. Beelzebub!

“ Oh hello you must be Mrs. Nygaard, right?” he asked. I stayed quiet because I knew that surely Ms. Nygaard couldn't hear my imaginary friend.

“Yes I am, you're the babysitter? They never gave me a name.”

I was so excited that someone else could hear him that I blurted out

“ That’s Mr. Beelzebub!” Mrs. Nygaard laughed at my excitement and looked back to Mr. Beezlebub.

“Alrighty, well he got a bit of an ouchie but we got that all fixed up already and you just need to keep it covered. In 2 days tell mom and dad this has to be checked out for infection by a doctor and he’ll tell them what to do after that.”

“ Ok sounds good thanks so much for walking him home.” Mr. Beelzebub responded while taking my hand and directing me to the door. I looked back over my shoulder and waved to Mrs. Nygaard and walked into my house. Mr. Beezlebub waved as well and then closed the door.

“How did this happen?” Mr. Beelzebub urged me.

“ A third-grade boy pushed me over,” I said sadly remembering how much it hurt when I hit the rock.

“Hmmm which one? Do you remember his name?” he sounded caring but also really wanted to know the answer.

“ No, I don't know his name.” I didn't want to talk about this anymore. Suddenly images were floating in the air. With a flick of Mr. Beelzebub’s finger, the images would switch from different students. I was looking at these pictures when I saw the boy's face. I looked at Mr. Beelzebub when the boy's face was the one floating. I told him that that was the boy who pushed me over. Mr. Beelzebub studied the boy's face for a few moments silently.

“This boy, I can make him go away. Forever. If you would like that?” he looked down at me. Go away forever? I don't want that.

“No, no. I don't want that,” I said to my friend, who looked disappointed at first but then looked up again. He doesn't say anything for a bit.

“ Ok I won't make him go away forever, but tomorrow morning he’s going to feel sorry that he did that to you ok,” he paused for a moment. “ and mom and dad are going to feel bad too, for not taking proper care of you.” I looked down at my striped socks then said

“ But, Mr. Beelzebub I'm confused. Your just imaginary.'' I looked back up again to see a wary looking Mr. Beezlebub looking downwards and me.

“It's a lot to explain to such a little person-”

“No, it can't be that hard because I’m extraordinary, remember?” I cut him off because he seems to forget that I understand more than he thinks I do.

Mr. Beelzebub sucked in a breath then continues

“ Ok bud, I'm real, your dad says I'm imaginary because he's too arrogant too-'' he took another breath to calm down. “Because he doesn't pay enough attention to his own child to realize that you're being raised by someone else.”

“No, Mr. Beelzebub, my dad is a very busy man you see.'' I tried to explain to him that my dad isn't a bad guy.

“ Your dad should not be too busy to take care of his son, and neither should your mother, parents are supposed to care for their kids and definitely should never leave their 4-year-old home alone.” he tried to explain to me, I understand now that my mom and dad don't act like other kids moms and dads.

“ Ok buddy, once mom and dad get back I’m going to have to leave for a bit but I’ll be back in the morning.” Mr. Beelzebub explained. We went up to my room and did a puzzle for a bit. It was about 3 hours before mom and dad came home from work and I could tell they were stressed out about work by the way mom slammed the door shut. Mr. Beelzebub waved his hand and the puzzle came together then he opened the window and left. I am always sad when he leaves because then I have no one to play with. I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. It was Mom. She opened the door to my room and looked at my puzzle.

“How did you do that by yourself?” my mom asked me.

“Mr. Beelzebub helped me do it.”

“Enough with this Mr. Beelzebub,” she said in a tired and annoyed voice.

“He's a real mom, he told me!” I argued, why does he always have to leave right before she comes home!

With that, she left the doorway and slammed it shut. I looked over to my window and there I saw Mr. Beelzebub! He pointed to the ground and floated down. I heard my dad open the door then slammed it shut just like mom did. Downstairs I could hear a chair screech against the floor and dad slouch into it with a sigh. I opened my door cautiously and began walking down the stairs. I saw mom and dad sitting at the table. I walked past them to the back door.

“Where do you think you're going?” dad asked without looking up from the table. Mom turned her head to look at me.

“Outside, to play,'' I responded while still holding the handle. Dad said nothing so I went into the back yard where I saw Mr. Beelzebub sitting in my dad's chair. The door stayed open so my parents heard me say

“ Mr. Beelzebub!'' I saw my mom whip her head around and dad stand up from his chair. As he stretched out his legs the chair pushed back and scraped against the floor. Dad headed for the door and made eye contact with me. He then scanned his eyes down to my hand which was in Mr. Beelzebubs and scanned up Mr. Beelzebubs arm to his eyes. Mr. Beelzebub stood tall and stared into dad's eyes and I watched the icy blue/ grey eyes fade to a fiery red/ orange. The boiling red anger in dad's cheek also faded to pale white fear. Mom slowly walked from the kitchen to the back door and looked at me. Her eyes begged at the back of my dad's head to do something but he just stood there dumbfounded. I watched him muster up some false bravado and stand up a little straighter. Slowly he walked towards me and my apparently real friend, Mr. Beelzebub, walked one step forward and dad stopped in his tracks.

“ What the hell are you doing in my backyard with my son?” Dad's voice sounded strong but everything else about him was weak and cowardly.

“Hell, funny you bring that up actually, but to answer your question my son and I were about to leave.” Mr. Beelzebub said in a voice that seemed like he was explaining something very simple to someone very stupid. Dad looked shocked at this and anger took over his fear. He stepped closer, smoke practically coming from his ears when he seemed to start walking on the spot. Then I realized he was floating. His face drained as he looked down. Mom screamed and fell to the ground.

“Ah ah ah, one more step closer and you'll be joining us.'' Dad fell to the ground and crumpled. He lifted his head up and quickly scooched backwards. Mom stood up on her wobbly knees and walked towards Mr. Beelzebub. He looked down at her amused when she slapped him across the face. I gasped. Mr. Beelzebub’s smile remained in place as he grabbed her hand and threw it down.

“Congratulations, you've just won yourself and your husband a one-way ticket, to the place you know you belong.” he chuckled to himself and walked into the kitchen. A container appeared on the table. It was the shape of an hourglass and had purple smoke coming out the top and down the sides. He poured it into two empty glasses. Mom and dad stood outside the door looking in, not moving an inch. I tried to push past them to get into the kitchen but they seemed to be in a trance. Dad looked down and me, with a surprised look on his face. I realized that they completely forgot I was here. He moved to the side to let me through but as I walked into the house he grabbed my arm.

“What the hell is happening.” he breathed at me. He sounded angry with me.

“What did you do?” Mom added. I didn't care that they were mad at me because beyond their anger was fear. Childish fear. And they somehow blamed me for this and wanted me to fix it.

“ Mr. Beelzebub is mad at you,” I replied. It wasn't an answer but dad's anger at me turned into the same fear he had for the tall man standing in the kitchen. Dad dropped my arm and I continued walking forward. I looked back at my mom and dad. I knew at that moment that they weren't my mom or dad. Just two people that I have been cursed to live with. They never acted how moms and dads should. I looked back at Mr. Beelzebub. He's my dad. Two chairs slid out from the table and Mr. Beelzebub looked at the two people across the room, that I don't know what to call anymore. They looked frantically at the chairs and back at Mr. Beelzebub. A few times their eyes landed on me, but I just stared back with no encouragement. They slowly walked to their chairs and sat down cautiously as if sitting down might kill them. The glasses floated over to them, taunting them.

“ Do you really think we are going to drink some, whatever that is from some random man who also happens to be trying to kidnap our child?” my mother questioned sarcastically.

“Yes, honestly woman, just cooperate would you? This is the easiest way.” my mother picked up her glass and took a deep smell of the drink. Her face twisted with disgust and her eyelashes curled up to her eyelids. I watched as my father picked up his glass and dipped his pinky in it cautiously. Nothing happened. My parents looked at each other and back at me. Mother’s eyes looked hollow. She was accepting her fate. She took a deep breath and brought her glass to her lips. The black liquid flowed like a gas into her mouth. My father watched with a horrified look on his face. Mother turned to look at him and started to laugh. She laughed at Mr. Beelzebub and then looked at me.

“Nothing happened!” she shrieked. “Nothing, is this some kind of sick joke, get mom and dad flustered over nothing so -so- so maybe you could get some attention. Some sort of apology!?” she kept laughing and laughing. “Honestly dear, drink yours it's quite good!” she shouted at my father. He lifted his drink to his mouth and drank it quickly. I couldn’t help but notice his pinky had turned black and shrivelled. As he swallowed the last of it he started laughing in relief as well. Both screaming and dancing in their chairs. My mother got up to look at Mr. Beelzebub when she fell to the ground. She grabbed her throat.

“What's happening?! It's burning me!” she started scratching at her neck hysterically until it bled. My father stopped laughing. His face dropped as did his shoulders. He watched his wife convulse on the ground for several seconds before her body became still and stiff. He got up from his chair, still in shock and grabbed her arm. Shaking it and shaking it. He started screaming at her to get up again. I couldn't hear what he was saying. My ears were ringing and my eyes were blurring. I stood there staring at my mother and father when my father started convulsing on the floor. I ran upstairs and slammed the door. I expected to hear mom yell at me but I realized mom was staying on the floor… forever. I heard Mr. Beelzebub start running up the stairs after me. I didn't know why I was sad. I knew mom and dad weren't good moms or dads but still I was upset. Mr. Beelzebub opened my door and peeked his head around to look at me. He had a drink in his hand but this one was orange and I could smell the sweet juice in it from my bed. He walked up to me and set the drink on my nightstand. “I am so sorry, I didn’t even think to take you to your room before I did this. You shouldn't have had to see that.” he tried to wrap his arms around me but I pulled away. He looked at me with a hurt expression. “I'm not going to hurt you. I never would and never will.'' I could see tears in his eyes, threatening to fall out. He swiped one swift finger at his eye and the tear was gone. I saw his face and knew that he loved me. I threw my arms around him. I forgive him. He rested his chin on the top of my head, nuzzling into my blonde hair. He pulled away to look at me then grabbed the drink on my nightstand. He gestured with his chin at me to take it from him. Slowly I backed away. Mom and dad didn't look like they liked the drinks he gave them very much. Mr. Beelzebub’s eyes begged me to drink it. So I did. I took it from his hands and gulped the whole thing down in one swift motion. I could feel my whole body getting warm. I let my head fall back into my pillow and felt the cut on the back of my head scream in pain. But only for a minute, soon I could feel nothing. A sense of tranquillity ran down my spine into every ounce of my body. I looked at Mr. Beelzebub’s eyes. They looked caring and happy. Everything got dark but my eyes were still open. Soon I felt like I was falling. Down down down. Until I landed in a new bed. With a jolt, I sat up to see I was in a new room. Under new clean covers. I lifted the white blanket and stood up. The floor was warm but not too hot. Everything felt perfect. I stayed in my bed and looked around. Then my door opened and I saw Mr. Beelzebub. He came in and sat on my bed.

“Did I die?” I asked him. He looked at me and nodded. He said nothing more than just stood up and walked to the red door across my room. He looked at me and I followed. He opened the door and I could hear my father.

“Hell?!” he screamed. A lady with red skin looked at him unamused and gestured to Mr. Beelzebub.

“Oh, ok buddy you did this?! Who the hell are you!” Mr. Beelzebub looked at me and gestured for me to go into my room. I shook my head and stayed where I was. He looked back at My father. With long strides, he walked over to him.

“Mr. Beelzebub at your service, what can I do for you and this awful day?” he stated with an outstretched hand. Dad looked at him confused so Mr. Beelzebub continued, “Also known as Satan, the Devil, Lucifer, Hades. Ring a bell? I am the king of the bottomless pit, and this is my queen, welcome to the darkness.” he said the last part while touching the firefly skinned woman's back. She smiled up at him. Her teeth were pointy and sharp but she didn't seem intimidating to me until she heard my mother say,

“Um sorry but no thank you, I would like to go into the lightness,” the fiery-skinned lady whipped her head around and basically stared into my mothers soul.

“No I'm sorry but to go into the lightness you have to be a good person and neglecting your child makes you a bad person. Your room is over there. It resembles a fire pit because it is a fire pit.” she laughed a shrieking laugh and continued. “You will burn for eternity and if you two get too used to it then we’ll shake it up a bit and maybe freeze you for eternity!” she hissed “ Now run along I have to talk to your former child, AKA my future child, only if you'll have me Hunny. My husband will join you in room 666 in 15 minutes.” She whipped her head back around at me and smiled. “Come along honey I’ll take you to your room.'' The lady put her red hand in mine and I saw mom and dad start walking away. She led me to an elevator and looked down at me while we waited for the door to open. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

“I like your teeth,” I said because I think her teeth are super cool.

“I like yours too,” she said back. She makes me giggle just like Mr. Beelzebub.

“I’m Mrs. Beelzebub, and you'll get to stay in me and my husband's house,” she said to me. I like that she doesn't talk to me how Mrs. Nygaard does. Did. The elevator door opened and we stepped inside.

“Hi, I’m Oliver.” I said back to her,

“I know who you are sweetie, I'm the one who sent Mr. Beelzebub to save you.” “And if you would let me, I would love to be your other friend, just like Mr. Beelzebub.” Mrs. Beelzebub looked nervous when she said this to me so I looked up at her and nodded. She tried to wipe a tear from her eye before I could see but I did see it. I hugged her legs and she started laughing and crying at the same time. Soon I could feel her arms wrap around me and my feet lift off the ground. The elevator dinged and the doors opened but Mrs. Beelzebub didn't put me down until we got to our new house. She put me down to open the door and I saw some toys on the ground. I ran into the house because mom and dad never got me any toys. Mrs. Beelzebub played with some cars until Mr. Beelzebub walked in the doors. Later that night we all made waffles together and watched a movie on the tv in the living room. I love my once imaginary friend, then real friend, then mom and dad.

While eating our waffles (our second batch of waffles today!) my new dad asked me

“Have you ever heard of reincarnation?”

“Hmmm, no,” I responded, I didn’t know what Dad was talking about but I was curious.

“Well, you would get to go back to earth…” Dad stopped so Mom continued

“But you wouldn't remember us. We would come and visit but you would think we were imaginary and you won't remember who we are until you… die again.”

“I didn't like earth,” I stated.

“No, no it's ok-” my dad started but I cut him off.

“I don’t like the earth!” I yelled again.

“Hunny, you would get a good new family, they really want a kid and they would play with you and help you get ready for school. They would never forget to feed you or leave you home alone until you're old enough.” Mom said.

“And you will come to visit?” I asked them.

“All the time,” they said in unison.

“Then ok, I’ll go back,” Then I paused for a moment, “but not till after the waffles.”

The End