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The Boy who built sandcastles
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
A Little Bit of Joy The Sister's Fierce Protection
"Here are your lilies, Uncle Desmond," I said with a small smile and Uncle Desmond smiled back at me warmly, his eyes crinkling."Thank you, JJ, and where is your grandpa? That old man has completed seventy-five years and is still working as a young fellow, he deserves a celebration," he said playfully as his eyes twinkled in mischief. "Tell him that his friend's missing him.""Of course, I'll tell him that.""Yes, yes . . . Oh, how I miss those old days where we would just go to the bar, discuss women and sports over a couple of beers. War changed us and then marriage . . . How we both became men from boys and used to talk about being a good father to our children and a good husband . . . " he started reminiscing and trailed off, when he knew that he was going the wrong way- the death of my grandma. His eyes were teary as he let out a light laugh and gathered the lilies in his arms. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, JJ. Give my wishes to your grandpa and take care of him, he gets lonel
A Little Bit of Joy The Boy Stuck Between Family
My dad, mum, Shaun, Gemma, Logan and I were sitting at the dining table, saying our grace. We weren't particularly religious, but we always prayed during occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, thanksgiving etc. Grandpa and his cousins had gone out to party at a local restaurant where they usually hung out because they had their own fun to catch up on so this left us with only my family and Logan. I expected Logan to grumble about how he had to endure the pain of sitting through the unbearable silence which prevailed because of my mum's and my brother's recent argument. However, he seemed to enjoy the silence since he looked like his usual self, awkward, but a bit calmer.We started to dive in the food which comprised of Vietnamese cuisine which my mum had specially prepared for grandpa since he used to always love what my grandma used to cook for him. Usually, at our home, we didn't have Vietnamese food because my sister couldn't digest strong spices like ginger, garlic, shrimp past
A Little Bit of Joy The Boy Who Finally Smiled
"I need to fix them, Logan, I-I need to fix them all!" I felt myself slip into a state of hysteria because my body started trembling and I started laughing in pity. "It's all because of me, I have to-to fix them all! How can I die peacefully w-when my family's falling apart like that? How can I Logan?"Something snapped in me because I erupted into fresh tears and I couldn't help myself. I buried my face in between my knees and started weeping, my entire body shaking. I could taste the salty tears in my mouth as I tried to wipe them against the fabric of my yoga pants but to no avail. I couldn't stop my tears.I could feel Logan sitting stiffly beside me and I stammered, "I-I'm s-sorry for being s-so pathetic--- ""It's okay . . . Hush now," Logan hushed me and I could feel him rubbing my back, trying to soothe me. I didn't know he was capable of providing me with comfort since he was such a bum most of the time, but my body actually relaxed. I looked up from my knees and turned my ne
A Little Bit of Joy The Boy's Soft Touch
"Ah, put it in the box, quick!" I shrieked with laughter as Jamal threw the small crab in the box and Gemma hurriedly shut it. Jamal started breathing heavily while dramatically acting to wipe the imaginary sweat on his forehead. Gemma peered into the box, we had caught four small crabs and the thrill of catching them was still surging through our bodies.Logan was sprawled under a palm tree nearby, leaning against the trunk with his legs fully stretched out and arms casually spread on either side of his body. His eyes were closed peacefully and his head was tilted upwards. The rays of the sun fell over his face and the shadow of the leaves above made the light on his face appear in stripes, which made him look so aesthetically pleasing without even trying."Hey, Logan!" I called out and watched his eyes flutter open as he blinked rapidly at me like he had snapped out of a trance. He always did that. He then scrambled to sit erect and his hands dug in the sand in full alert. "You alri
A Little Bit of Joy The Mother Who Cried
Logan looked petrifying today with a repugnant odour surrounding him. His eyes were droopy and his clothes scruffy and unkempt. His hair was a tangled mess, the kind where you touch it and your finger would get stuck. There was a dark stubble on his jaw because he hadn't shaved in a while and it looked horrendous. He didn't look one bit good and I didn't blame him. It didn't take me a long while to figure out that he wasn't in his best mental health- depression was ugly.However, I was wondering what had suddenly happened to him today?"Hey, you alright?" I asked cautiously and he just shrugged as if he was physically present but mentally absent. "You can ask my grandpa for a day off if you're sick.""No," he cut me off dismissively because it seemed that he wanted to prove to me that he was fine."Okay, you don't have to come over to my place for lunch. I can tell mum.""No," he said forcefully and added with emphasis, "I'm alright."Those words felt like it held little to no meaning
A Little Bit of Joy The Girl who made his heart race
Third person's POV [Logan]Logan woke up from the bed because of the noise of his phone ringing on the nightstand. He rubbed his eyes lazily, stretched himself before picking up the call. He didn't say anything and let the person who called speak first."Logan, you there?" He heard the familiar voice of his old friend Jerry and swallowed hard. "Did you see the text messages I sent the other day?""Yeah," Logan said in a barely audible voice. "I saw.""So when are you moving out?""Give me some time, I need to figure out--- ""Look, man, I understand, but I'm sorry," Jerry interjected and continued, "I helped you all this while, but I can't anymore. I need to sell the place, I need the money and your rent money isn't enough man.""You can increase the rent, I'll pay," he said with determination while unconsciously fiddling with the hem of his t-shirt."That money won't be sufficient for my mamma's treatments, I have to sell the house."Logan could hear the firmness in Jerry's voice and
A Little Bit of Joy The Boy who disappeared
Logan didn't show up for three whole days. I had called him several times and texted him, but there was no reply. He hadn't even been online for three days and now it was switched off. Grandpa was furious and was already planning to sack him while I tried to make up excuses."I'm going out for a while, sorry to bother you Shaun, but that foolish mutt isn't there," Grandpa grumbled, referencing Logan and Shaun just nodded. "And JJ, keep these papers in the back drawer. They're very important.""What is it?" I asked while taking the papers and glancing at them. "Are you buying anything?""Yeah, it's the old apartment behind the church, in the market lane. It'll be a good investment," he said nonchalantly and my heartbeats quickened as I searched for the building name and the flat number.This. Thing. Had. To. Be. Kidding. Me.It was the same flat where Logan lived currently and was expected to move out!"Anything wrong, eh?" Grandpa raised his bushy eyebrows and I shook my head."I'll g
A Little Bit of Joy The Boy Who Cried
"Do you think he's at home or he ran away or something?" I asked Jamal who narrowed his eyes at me."I ain't no foreteller so let's knock, shall we?""Smartbum," I muttered and we both stared at the door helplessly. We were outside Logan's apartment which was very sketchy. The entire building looked haunted and what was worse was that Logan lived on the twelfth floor which meant taking the helicopter-like noise emanating elevator. The elevator shook like there was an earthquake and I wondered why my grandpa found this apartment to be a good investment. If it didn't help Logan, then I would suggest him to sell the apartment without any delay.Jamal started banging the door with loud thuds and I rang the bell continuously, but to no avail."Should we break the door?" Jamal asked while positioning himself to burst in and I tried to twist the doorknob as the last feeble attempt. Surprisingly, the door slowly creaked open. Jamal shot me an incredulous look and I mirrored his baffled expres
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A Little Bit of Joy The Boy's Summer
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]"What the hell do you mean you have a baby? Shaun, what on earth are you blabbering about?" Joy's mum was yelling on the phone as Logan stood outside at the door. "Who's Marilyn? What do you mean you have a baby? Don't cut the call- damn him!" she cursed and looked wearily at Logan. "He cut the call! He's been talking nonsense about a baby and this-this girl Marilyn- If he's implying what I'm thinking . . . Logan dear . . . I think I'm going to faint . . . "She did pass out then and there and Logan quickly held her before she fell face down.He half dragged her inside and laid her down on the couch. Gemma who was eating by the dining table hastily rushed to him for assistance. She asked nervously, "Did she die?""No, no, Jesus no," Logan muttered, reaching for a glass of water from the coffee table. "She heard some shocking news from your brother.""Yes, Shaun told me he became a father. I can presume why that is shocking, but considering the time he
A Little Bit of Joy The Family of the Dead Girl
Third Person's POV :Jamal slipped into Joy's signed Katy Perry sweater, wore bunny flip flops and ignoring his stepmother's incessant pestering to eat his lunch, he headed to his mother's dingy apartment. There he found her sprawled haphazardly outside the door in the empty corridor, wasted. It was one in the afternoon and he wasn't surprised to find her knocked out. He fished for the duplicate keys from his pocket and opened the door. He picked her squirming body up with difficulty and carried her inside."Antonne you asshole . . . Fucking that white ass girl would get you nowhere . . . I curse you and that-that bitch---""Mamma, I'm your son, Jamal," he said in a clear voice, placing her on the unmade bed. "And it's over now. He's married to her, you can't do anything.""Fuck you! I can! You know nothing about what lies underneath this . . . " she slurred and Jamal tiredly averted his eyes at the ceiling when she unabashedly pulled her dress up. "Look here Antonne, look what your b
A Little Bit of Joy The Brother's Home
Shaun's POV :It had been five months since Joy passed away and here I was, back in the city of lights, Paris. It was late in the night, but the people were acting wild in the pub like the night had just begun. I didn't even know why I was here instead of editing some clips in my small hotel room. All I could think of was . . . Why exactly was I here? What was my purpose? I should have been with Joy all those weeks I came here . . . I should have stayed at home. I should have fought for Marilyn. I shouldn't have let two strong women slip from my life just like that.From across the room I saw Alice who was seated on the couch, one of my many friends I had made here. Without thinking twice, I glided to her with a cheeky grin and ruffled her platinum blonde hair from behind. She glanced up at me confused and then bit back her smile. Feigning irritation, she exclaimed, "Hey, ne touche pas mes cheveux!"'Hey, don't touch my hair! Keep your greasy fingers away!' Joy would say the same and
A Little Bit of Joy The Prostitute's Little Mistakes
Marilyn's story began on this muddy land where twenty three years earlier, her single mother- Emilia gave birth to her in presence of a midwife and no family. Emilia's partner had disappeared as soon as he learned she was pregnant. But Emilia's spirit never broke, she raised her baby with all the love she had never got.Marilyn remembered her childhood days as fun and carefree where she got everything she desired with either tantrums or buttering her hardworking mother. She wasn't allowed to do any chores so she could play and study with her friends. Not a day went by without her belly filled with food and her body in the most comfortable, warm clothes.Emilia with her meagre salary as a waitress could afford only sufficient food, but still she bought her daughter all the toys and pretty dresses she had never got as a child. She only wanted her daughter to grow like all the other kids. Her life's purpose was to keep her daughter happy, to keep the only person who loved her close to he
A Little Bit of Joy The Girl's Last Breath
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Four days after Christmas, Logan was trying to sleep in the sleeping area, but his eyes remained wide open. He tossed and turned on the bed, his thoughts drifting to Joy. He hadn't slept a wink in the last three days and had stayed next to Joy, talking to her until her mum asked him to rest. Logan curled himself in a small ball, forcefully squeezing his eyes shut.Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.Dream. Dream. Dream.Suddenly, he heard unsteady footsteps approaching him and he held his breath."L-Logan . . . J-Joy," Shaun said forcefully, barely spilling the words out.He immediately shot up from the bed and stared aghast at Shaun who nodded mutely, his eyes red-rimmed.Logan didn't recall the next few moments vividly- he had followed Shaun to Joy's room and his arms and legs felt like they weren't his. They felt oddly heavy as if he was dragging himself to face the inevitable. They quietly entered the room where Joy's mum held Joy's bluish hand and talked softly
A Little Bit of Joy The Girl's Santa
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Logan adjusted his costume, took a deep breath and barged in through the door. "Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!"A deafening silence followed and in his head crickets chirped at a distance. Everyone in the room- Joy's mum, dad, Shaun, Gemma and grandpa's eyes darted from him to Joy bemusedly. Logan awkwardly tugged at his fluffy, red sleeves, wanting for the floor to open and swallow him whole.Finally, Joy's mother cut through the silence, "Oh my God, it's Santa!"Everyone broke into a wild cheer, grabbing Logan and patting him on the back. Logan's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as he shyly glanced at Joy. She was wide awake, laid on bed with blankets draped over her and an impish smile slowly formed on her dry lips.When he had walked in this place, the nurse Jasmine had winked at him. Joy had made it.Logan shuffled closer to her when she beckoned him towards her. He leaned down and she rasped, "You're the skinniest Santa with the biggest heart I have
A Little Bit of Joy The Boy in the Dark
Shaun's POV :I was delaying to go back to France. Joy wanted me to go, but how could I leave her? She was so frail like a china doll and all I wanted to do was snatch her pain away, bundle her up in the thickest blankets and take her safely home."Gem, maa will come to pick you up before bedtime," I said softly, concentrating my attention on her after taking a glimpse of my watch. "Grab your things, we don't want to create a mess in this place."Gemma nodded vaguely, her gaze travelling the liquid trickling in the tube next to the urine catheter."Can I stay please?" she asked suddenly in a pleading tone."Yeah . . . Okay. Maa will understand, I'll tell her," I said gently, not wanting to say no to Gemma. She had already suffered through many mental breakdowns this month and it hurt me to see my other sister go through so much misery. It hurt me to be rendered useless, not knowing how to help them.She murmured, her voice sounding lost, "Thank you."I didn't say anything, only reache
A Little Bit of Joy The Girl's Wish
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Logan met Gizmo on the way to the hospice care centre, bought him snacks and petted him for a while. Then he strode to meet Joy- at the hospice care centre. She had been in there for many days now and Logan didn't know what to feel anymore. The dread and impending, heart-wrenching end was close. Too close, he forgot how to breathe sometimes.He greeted the nurse politely at the lobby area and knocked on Joy's room. Joy said, without looking, "Come in Logan.""You have superpowers wow," Logan jested, advancing towards her. She was seated on the plush sofa by the window with her long skirt tucked under her legs, gazing at the harsh ocean. He kissed the top of her head and inhaled deeply, her hair smelled of herbal shampoo. "You look nice today."Gemma who was seated beside Joy stood up abruptly. "I'm going to the library to bring your books."Joy clicked her tongue. "You can stay here Gem, it's only Logan.""No, I'll go." Her eyes darted between Logan a
A Little Bit of Joy The Girl's Naked Kisses
Third Person's POV [Logan's POV]Logan was discharged from the hospital and although the doctors advised him to rest, he barely could afford to do that. He had to make frequent trips from college (to catch up on notes), his job, police station for enquiries and Joy's house where he finally felt like home. At the station, the cops were searching for the criminals based on Logan's descriptions about them.Logan wanted them to be punished, but he didn't care any longer. He knew karma wouldn't let them get away or his cruel uncle. He also knew that because of the police investigation, his uncle wouldn't dare to touch him for some months now. Besides, he felt invincible, like no force on earth could even blow a strand of his hair. The power in him was more spiritual than physical and all the events leading him to the brink of death taught him that stressing out caused him to only die a little bit everyday.For the first time in his life, he truly believed that he was strong.Logan ate the
