SOLITUDE (SIX)

It was a little too early for Harper to start a mentoring program for Heidi. Yesterday, she thought Alex would not take his daughter so quickly to the hospital where she worked, considering that they had not discussed much about the mentoring program that Heidi was going to do.

But then this morning she was surprised by the arrival of Alex and his daughter who still looked the same as what she saw yesterday evening. Today Heidi came in a knee-length pink dress with a plain ribbon around her waist. In her hair, Heidi uses a bandana that looks so cute to perfect her appearance. It would be very beautiful and adorable if Heidi acted as cheerful as children in general.

"You surprised me with this sudden visit, Mr. Enzo."

"The sooner the better. I want my daughter to be cured soon."

"Oh okay."

The awkwardness plagued Harper even more. She, who was writing Heidi's data in her patient book, was nervous. Several times the pen she used to write almost fell out of her hand due to the cold sweat that moistened her hands.

“As of today, I can't start anything for Heidi. I need other information to support my program."

"What do you need?"

Harper swallowed nervously when Alex suddenly showed a hard face that implied displeasure at the idea she had just uttered.

"Basic information and some personal information."

"Just say it, I will answer it as best I can."

"When did you divorce Heidi's mother?"

Oh My! Harper wanted to curse her lips for being so presumptuous as she asked Alex such a sensitive and personal question. Geez, that was beyond her senses. The question suddenly escaped her lips before she could think about it properly.

"About two years ago."

"Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable."

"I am fine. We were supposed to divorce. Even before Heidi was one year old."

“How was Heidi's condition at that time? Is she okay when she finds out that her parents no longer live in the same house?"

Alex looked at his daughter who looked like a zombie with blank eyes. She didn't speak, only occasionally blinking like she was a doll. "She's fine. Because she didn't understand then."

"Did you visit her often after you and your wife divorced?"

"Several times. My time is consumed a lot by work at the office. Besides, I feel better if Heidi doesn't see me that often. Her mother hates me, so we fight more often when we are in the same place."

Harper concluded that Alexander Enzo's family was not well from the start. Their selfishness made Heidi the victim of the destruction of their household.

“During your meeting with Heidi, did she show anything strange? Maybe her behavior, or her attitude, is an indication of a mental disorder?”

“She is a cheerful girl. Adorable and very active." Alex seemed to be taking a deep and heavy breath. In his hardened face hidden the bitterness of his daughter's poor condition. “Heidi was still fine until four days ago. When I was going to visit her as usual, I found Heidi curled up in a wardrobe in very poor condition. Her face was pale, her legs were bruised, and she was half conscious. She's dehydrated and also starving because she's been there for two days."

"Then what about the mother?"

"Disappeared with her lover. She was just using Heidi to extort money from me from the start."

Harper was shocked when she heard Alex start cursing in anger because of his ex-wife. The anger in Alex's eyes was terrifying and said a lot of things that were too difficult for Harper to understand.

"Was Heidi often neglected by her mother?"

“Not really. That bitch started to change after she had a new boyfriend."

"You know her lover?"

"I don't want to involve my life in her life. My only responsibility is Heidi."

"Sorry, I think your words scared Heidi."

Harper frowned at Heidi who now looked teary and seemed to be gripping the handle of her wheelchair tightly. That little girl still has awareness of her surroundings, it's just that she is still haunted by something she can't tell anyone for now."

"That's a good sign,” said Harper to calm down the fear that was starting to show on Alex's tense face.

“The first thing that has to be done for Heidi is to get her trust back. We have to get Heidi to talk and share her traumatic experiences, with you or with me."

"I've been trying it since four days ago, but it's still the same as this."

We don't know how much the trauma she had affected her mental development. Treatment for Heidi's case can take quite a long time. Months or years, depending on Heidi's will to heal from all that trauma.”

"I entrust everything to you. Make my daughter return to normal. She— she made me a failed father figure.”

There was a bitterness that Harper caught in Alex's tone. The man seemed to have high hopes for his daughter's recovery. And Harper felt a little afraid to step into that man's life again. But still, this would make her meet Alexander Enzo more often and who knows what could happen in those too frequent meetings. Old love can blossom again, maybe.

"I'll do my best."

Harper got up and knelt in front of Heidi's wheelchair to take a closer look at the little girl. Her hand hesitantly reached Heidi's hand which was limping on the wheelchair handle, and she then gently stroked the back of the hand as an introduction to Heidi. It was the best thing she could do right now. She wanted to gain complete trust from Heidi. Therefore she must start with the most basic things that are usually effective in every program she applies to her patients. Touching.

Through his dark eyes, Alex observed Harper who looked as if she was communicating by hand with Heidi. In plain view, nothing had changed from Heidi when Harper touched the back of her hand gently, then turned her hand upwards. Harper rubbed Heidi's smooth palms and smiled up her face. But then Alex saw Heidi's eyeballs show a little surprise as Harper gave a tickling touch to the palm of her hand. Jeez! It means a lot of hope for him. Even though the surpised face only lasted a few seconds, Alex felt that he had hope for Heidi's recovery.

“You see, her soul is still in there. She's just hiding something terrible from us." Harper turned to Alex and smiled softly at him. Harper's soothing smile made Alex smile too, even if only for a moment.

"I know I'm never wrong."

"About what?"

"Making you as Heidi's Therapist."

-00-

Harper didn't expect Alex's words would affect her that much. Literally, she was going to be Heidi's Therapist for her mental problems. But somehow Harper was expecting something more than a psychological companion. Harper felt that Alex said that she was perfect to be Heidi's mother and would accompany his daughter's growth and development.

This is crazy! Harper kept cursing herself for the ridiculous stupidity of her mind. She clearly didn't want her heart to be swept away by the charm that Alex offered her. She used to be so stupid and naive that she finally fell for all of Alex's charms. Alex never considered their past relationship to be serious. Alex only used herself as revenge for his wife's behavior which was far from his expectations.

Flipping through the pages of a journal, Harper began to think of all kinds of things she might have forgotten. Her relationship with Alex, it could not be said to be a boring relationship. On the contrary, the relationship is very exciting and always filled with passionate love from them. But maybe back then she was just too naive and innocent. A runny girl who has just graduated from undergraduate psychology education suddenly has a lover as amazing as Alexander Enzo. Hell, she used to feel like the luckiest woman in the world. But then all of her happiness is shattered when the facts about Alexander Enzo's life begin to unfold.

-00-

"Read My Mind" Chapter 7

School and all the harsh life that the school environment has to offer have never been a problem for Jayden. Being able to attend a government-owned school at a low cost has become a happiness for Jayden.

First year at St Cecilia, school just happened without causing much trouble. Jayden was quite accepted in the circle of his friends, most of them were not Canadian like him. Some of his friends carried French blood. Some of them were Chinese whose families had lived for years on Sherbrooke land. While the rest are the black race whose existence is sometimes underestimated by the white race in the school. Racist campaigns are always carried out in his country. Activists of similar organizations always echo the demand to provide the fairest possible treatment for the black race. But still, things that approach racism are often found in that school. No matter what form it is.

Jayden saw his friend, Mike — who was black, eating alone in the mostly white race-dominated canteen. Although there was no verbal assault or physical abuse, such things still happened around him.

"Hi, Mike."

The little boy with a sweet smile returned Jayden's greeting cheerfully. He generously offered Jayden to eat at his table. But Jayden smoothly refused Mike's good offer because this afternoon he would not use his break to eat.

"No, thank you. Mr. Schuster just called me into his office."

"Oh, Mr. Schuster likes your drawing."

"I guess so too. See you, Mike."

Jayden then cut through the crowd of children who were queuing to pick up burgers in front of him. Some of the children looked at him with a strange look, but some chose to ignore it. The burgers up ahead dazzled their eyes. Moreover, Mrs. Blade sometimes gave extra meat to a child who managed to impress her with unreasonable politeness.

Jayden felt that he never had to care about his friends. This school for him is just a place to seek as much knowledge as possible so that one day he can save himself from a very sad poverty like his mother.

Huh, that's so suck. Yesterday his mother had just lectured him about their poor and miserable life. Then coupled with the presence of Remi in their midst which made their lives worse. How ridiculous, he thought irritably. If only the mother had not used the money inherited from his father to gamble, they would not have lived like this in poverty. In addition, his mother also often owes money to illegal banks, which always provide exorbitant interest rates that are difficult to pay. So all his father's death insurance money was sucked away to pay all his mother's debts along with the bank interest that was growing so fast. How sad life is, Jayden thought bitterly. In the past, he shouldn't have followed his mother and preferred to go with his father. But it was vain for him to go with his father if, in the end, his father died young while he was going on vacation with his new family.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Schuster."

"Oh Jayden, come in."

The young man with glasses turned his attention away from the pile of drawing paper he was correcting on the table. Streaks of fatigue were evident on his handsome young face. Judging from his face, that man was probably only in his early thirties.

Mateo Schuster is an art teacher who recently became a teacher for St. Cecilia School one week ago. At a young age, Mateo has a teaching style that is very popular with all of his students. But Mateo's favorite is Jayden. Since Mateo first entered Jayden's class, he was immediately fascinated by Jayden's work and Jayden's personality, which was so fun to chat with.

"Need help correcting, sir?"

“Oh, it's almost done. Last night I was too busy watching football matches, and only slept at two o'clock."

Mateo scratched the corner of his itchy eye and then took off the black-framed glasses that had been framing his eyes for more than two hours. Dizziness then immediately hit Mateo when his eyes began to adjust to the atmosphere in the room that was seen using minus eyes without glasses.

“What about the competition I offered you two days ago? You're interested."

"Very interest."

Jayden then immediately placed the roll of paper on Mateo's table and asked the teacher to open it himself.

"Have you drawn it?" Mateo asked in awe. He was so stunned by the results of Jayden's pictures which looked so alive.

"I think last night the atmosphere was perfect for drawing."

“Starry sky with the moon shining brightly above the sky. Street lights and a couple leaning against the hood of a car. Where did you get this idea?”

"Just a coincidence," Jayden replied calmly. The picture is just one of the many pictures he got because of an accident.

"Dream. I often have dreams which I will then pour in the form of a picture."

“Wow, that's amazing. Do you often talk about this to your parents?"

Jayden shook his head softly with a smile. "I discussed it with my friend, Zack."

"Oh, I hope Zack also gives you ideas to make this picture even more stunning."

"He's a good friend. Zack has good sensitivity, so he often helps me to make an image to make it look livelier and also stunning. Do you see this street light? It was Zack who suggested that, I add it to my drawing so that the impression that was captured about two young men dating in front of the hood of a car would be more real.

"You are right. This image has a sweet, but not overly romantic feel. Well, this image will be registered in a competition organized by the Painters' Association in Ottawa."

"Thank you, sir. I'm so glad to hear that. At first, I doubted this would be a stunning picture because I thought it was just an ordinary picture."

“No, Jay, this picture has various meanings in it. I think the judges in that race will agree with me too."

While admiring Jayden's picture, Mateo stroked the surface of the drawing paper many times. The subtle shading and perfect coloring made Mateo unable to stop his amazed chuckle at Jayden.

"Sir, I have to go back to my class. Thank you for helping me submit my work in the contest."

"You're welcome. You're a gifted student Jay."

“Thank you.” Jayden walked away from Mateo's room and closed the brown door slowly.

Meanwhile, Mateo was still in his chair to admire the result of Jayden's perfect image. Before he joined the school as a teacher at St. Cecilia, he was a teacher at a special drawing school for two years. While teaching there, never did he find a student who had such an amazing talent for drawing like Jayden's. He thought he needed to hone Jayden's talents even harder so that they weren't wasted.

While keeping Jayden's drawing paper in his cupboard. Mateo then thought of Zack. He felt he had never heard the name so far. Or maybe he forgot because his memory of memorizing the names of the students was really bad. He then took the student list book which was lying on his desk. Putting his glasses back on, Mateo started going through the list of students written in alphabetical order.

"Zyan E. Petersburg," said Mateo, frowning in confusion. There is no Zack's name on the list of students. Whether Zack was referring to Zyan, Mateo thought in surprise. But then the bell at the front of the room rang. The break time is over. He had to quickly walk to class nine-one before he got a warning from the principal for being late for his last hour of teaching. He then closed his student list book quickly and immediately galloped toward the nine-one grade to teach. To hell with Zack, that can be thought of later.

-00-

One more broken glass and then another series of expletives that hurt the ears. Jayden is still a long night to spend today. But he was presented with a fight between his parents which was getting worse day by day. "You idiot!"

"You son of bitch."

"I won't go out with other women if you are not being disgusting!"

"I'm doing it for the good of our family."

“Bullshit! You always don't believe me."

"Right! You even got that bitch impregnated."

"Accident."

"Nonsense!"

Their screams continued to shout like thunder that rumbled in the middle of a storm. No one wants to give in to their troubles. Both his father and mother, both of them threw insults and insults that were very inappropriate to hear. No wonder his neighbors complained about how noisy his family was. But some also pity him because he has parents who like to argue at home.

Jayden then pressed his feet against his chest. In heartbreaking solitude, he embraced his knees while laying his head on his knees. Is it true that her parents got married because they loved each other? Sometimes he doubted that. He was not sure if his parents also loved him.

He turned to his bedroom window. Just now he saw a beam of light shining in his room, but then it was gone. He thought he needed to distract himself by looking out the window. There may be something interesting. Tonight the sky is sprinkled with many stars. The moon is also shining amazingly up there. The light was so bright, lighting up his gray night because of his parents' fight.

But when he poked his head out of the window, he was presented with a view that seemed normal. There is Chevy's car parked not far from his house. The car is blue with lights shining on the bushes in his house.

So that's the light I saw earlier, Jayden thought with a smile. He then saw a man and woman standing in front of the hood to enjoy the beautiful night sky. The feeling of seeing them made Jayden's feelings warm a little. According to him, it is a picture of true love. Two humans, male and female, holding hands with each other while looking at the beautiful moonlight near his house. If only his parents were like that.

Jayden suddenly woke up from his sleep. The same dream had loomed over him for the past few days. Don't know what happened to him until the dream about his parents' quarrel returned to his sleep. But then Jayden remembered the lover he had seen years ago.

With incredible speed, he immediately grabbed his drawing paper and also the pencil that he always arranged neatly in the square pencil box in his bag. He had to draw. He had to do it now!

"I think I should start drawing it, Zack."