CHAPTER I

SAMANTHA

               “Why aren’t you drinking?”                                                          

                “Are you kidding me? It’s a children’s party,” Samantha responded.

                “I know. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a shot. Have fun and enjoy,” said Kylie.

                “I’m enjoying myself, thank you very much. Besides, I need to drive home sober.”

                “You know what, whatever. I told you that you need to get yourself a driver.”

                “Kylie, I am very well capable of driving. Why would I need a driver?” asked Samantha.

                “For times like this, of course! Look, I know the things that you can and cannot do, okay? What I’m trying to say is that just because we have kids does not mean we can’t have fun or drink, or, have sex you know,” said Kylie after a wink.

                “Okay. Here’s what it is. I am having fun. I am happy just being with my son. And for the record, I don’t need sex, okay?” she answered.

                “Duh? You just had it once! How would you know it was fun?”

                “Okay, Kylie, I don’t need to know any of that, alright?”

                “Right. Whatever. But you know, there is something with your kid. I can’t really tell what,” said Kylie.

                “What do you mean?”, she asked.

                “There’s something. I don’t know. Maybe his eyes? Nose? Lips? His entire face actually. It looks so familiar. I can’t seem to distinguish,” explained Kylie.

                “Just stop thinking about it. I know he doesn’t look like me, but you don’t have to be so blunt about it.”

                Kylie laughed. “Hey, don’t get me wrong. Anyway, I think he’s really having a good time,” Kylie said pointing at her son.

                “Yeah. He really likes watching magic shows,” she said. Pride, showing in her eyes while watching over her son having fun with other kids at the party.

CLYDE

                “It’s really good to have you here, C. I think this is the first time you attended a kid’s birthday party,” said Tyron. “Zachary and Xavier are single too, but they attended every birthday party we had with our kids.”

                “Now I wonder. Are you planning to get married soon?” asked Zachary, smiling.

                “You know, this is exactly why I don’t go to a kiddie party,” explained Clyde.

                Tyron laughed. “Z, before you plan C’s wedding, try to find her a girlfriend first.”

                “How can he find a girl for me if he’s having a hard time finding his own?”, he asked and the group burst out laughing.

                “Oh, yeah? Well, whatever dude. I’m not in a rush,” answered Zachary.

                “By the way, T, who’s that kid over there?”, asked Xavier. “The one wearing a green polo shirt.”

                Everyone  looked at the group of kids watching the magic show. “The boy at the front? Oh, his mom’s friends with Kylie. Why?”, Tyron asked.

                “I’ve been watching him for a while. I can’t help but notice, he really looks like you, C,” Xaviercommented.

                Clyde looked at the boy with curiosity.

                “Is he your son, dude? Or your younger brother, perhaps? Because you look exactly the same,” added Xavier.

                “I don’t have a younger brother, that’s for sure. A son? Not that I know of,” answered Clyde.  “Guys, there are 6 other persons in the world that looks exactly like you. It’s scientifically proven. Don’t worry yourself too much.”

                “Aren’t you a bit curious?”, asked Zachary.

                “Yeah, I’m done with this conversation. I’ll go to the bathroom,” he answered.

                Clyde went to the left side of the hotel function hall and look for the bathroom.

                Who is he? There is something about that boy. And what is that feeling I felt? Clyde asked himself. He went all the way to the bathroom and looked in the mirror only to see a reflection of himself when he was three years old. He immediately looked to his right and found the boy in his thoughts.

                The boy smiled at him and there was the sudden feeling he can’t identify.

                “Sir, I am having a hard time with my pants. Can you zip me up please?”, asked the boy with the cutest voice and tone he thought he heard in his entire life.

                “Sure,” he said smiling. He steps closer and kneeled before him. “By the way, what’s your name? And why are you here alone? Where’s your mom and dad?”, he asked.

                “My name is Tam. I’m three years old and I’m a big boy now so I don’t need mom’s help to go to the bathroom,” the boy answered with pride.

                “And your dad?”, he asked again

                “I don’t have a dad,” Tam answered with sadness.

                “Why?”, he can’t help but ask.

                “I don’t know. Mom told me he went somewhere far. I don’t know if he’s going back. I wish he would,” Tam answered hopefully.

                Now I’m curious. “Well, looks like it’s done,” he said. “Come, I’ll get you back to your mom,” he added.

                Tam hesitated for a moment and said, “Sir, my mom told me not to talk to strangers. Can you promise me that you won’t tell her that we talked?”, the boy asked innocently.

                Clyde couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s honesty. “Sure, buddy,” he said.

                                                         CHAPTER I

SAMANTHA

               

                “Kylie, I think my son is taking a bit too long in the bathroom. I’ll go check on him,” she said.

                “Sam, your son is a smart boy. And this place is pretty much safe so you don’t need to worry, okay?”, Kylie answered.

                Samantha was just about to answer when she heard her son’s voice behind her.

                “Mom!”, he yelled.

                She stood up and turns around and looked at her son with relief. He rushed into her and wrapped his arms on her legs.

                “What took you so long, huh?”, she asked her son.

                “He had trouble zipping his pants,” a deep voice answered her question.

                Her heart started racing. She had heard that voice before. How could she forget?

               

                “It’s been a long time, Samantha”, said the voice. The voice she tried to forget but can’t.