Let Me Come Home!

Another time when my aunt was out of town I recall standing by the window, changing the bed sheets and noticing someone trying to unlatch the outside gate. Wondering who it could be, a sudden rush of happiness took me over as I saw my father. I rushed to him and immediately made him lunch - scrambled eggs with some bread. Since Irene left me only two eggs, I had no lunch myself that day, but I was not hungry. It was the worth the while giving up lunch to be with him. We were both overjoyed to be with each other, even for just a short while. I escorted my father to the outskirts of town, told him how homesick I was and complained that my aunt slapped me. My father listened sadly as I expressed my pressing wish to go home but offered no solutions.

I complained again when I came home for the holidays, but neither my aching body nor my shattered soul changed my parents' mind. The holidays ended and I had to go back to that place I so hated, Aunt Irene's house.

Another happy day came once when I waited for my aunt at the train station and saw a familiar, kind, humble face shining with warm love through the train's open window. It was my mother. She came to brighten my life for a short while. My parents also sent me letters every now and then, making me very happy.

© David Muskal, 2001