Reborn Academy
16: "Maybe it's a puzzle"

Daniel and I decided to board a plan back to Reborn Academy that afternoon. I went up to the attic that morning to see if I could replace anything that was my dad. I huff went I instantly spotted a box marked Michael. I pick it up from the stack setting it on the floor before plopping down next to it. I open it replaceing shirt’s that he must have left here when he left. Most of the items in the box were either clothes or pictures of him. I move them out the box setting them to the side. I was down to the last of it when I pull out a small box.

“I remember this,” I spoke out loud opening the box.

When I was just turning two I gave my dad a present. This box. I found it at a garage sale a block from us. Dad asks me why I’m I giving him a present when it’s my birthday. I shrug and told him that I didn’t buy it for me. He just smiled down at me taking the box from me. I always wondered what he did with this. I open the box to replace it over flowed with small torn papers. I looked at a couple of them seeing that there was only one word on each one of them.

“Why would he stuff this box with pieces of papers with one word on each one?” I ask myself.

“Maybe it’s a puzzle,” Daniel suggests out of nowhere.

I turn to look at him coming up the attic steps.

“Could be.” I let out looking back to the box in my hand.

“What are you doing up here by the way?” He asks looking around the attic.

“Just looking through my dad stuff, I’m about done.”

“You don’t have to rush Anglia. Take your time.” He told me roaming around the attic.

I set the box to the side to decipher later. I put the rest of dad’s stuff back into the box. I look up to see Daniel sitting on top a couple of boxes with a photo album in his hands. He looks up at me with a smile on his face. I run over looking down to see baby pictures of me, baby pictures of me in the tub naked.

“Daniel!” I cried grabbing the book from him.

“You just had the cutest little butt.” He said laughing.

“Oh, be quite,” I told him putting the photo album back into the box.

“If my baby self-saw your baby self, we would definitely be baby talking.”

I rolled my eyes at him lightly pushing him on his shoulders. I move to walk away from him, but he grabs my wrist stopping me. I turn to look at him with a raised eyebrow. He smiled at me standing up to tower over me. I had to tilt my head up to look him in the face. We only stood inches from each other.

“Your butt was cute then than it was now.” He said with a smile.

“Don’t be looking at my butt when you still haven’t answered my question. I’m I right or I’m I wrong?” I ask him.

“Anglia!” My mom yelled down stairs before he can answer.

“Coming!” I yelled back, moving back from Daniel.

I grab the box before making my way down the attic. I stop at my room setting the book on my bed before heading down to the living room. When I walk in my mom was stretch out on the couch watching tv. She had a cover thrown over her and a small bowl of popcorn next to her.

“You called,” I said coming to stand behind her on the couch.

“Yes, when are you guys leaving?” She asks turning to look at me.

I look at the time before answering her “In about an hour or so.”

“Don’t sneak out the Academy again. It’s not safe out there Anglia.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t act like my mom now.” I told her getting up from the couch.

“Really? I’ve raised you for eleven years as a single parent, and you’re telling to be your mother.”

“We both can agree that you put in fifty percent in.”

“Your dad was supposed to have the other fifty percent, but he left. I’m sorry that I couldn’t provide that other half for you.”

I finally took a good look at my mom. She was really hurting inside. I saw her break down when replaceing out dad left. When she found out he came into my room to see me before he left. That I didn’t try to stop him or come running to her. Looking at her now I never gave her benefit of the doubt. I have a feeling she knows why he left and where he went, but something is holding her back.

“I’m sorry mom. I should appreciate the things you did and gave to me. I wouldn’t be the person I’m today if it was for you.” I told her.

She only nods as she turns back to face the tv. She was watching “Family Fued” and the family had just won the fast money. I smiled as they jump for joy. I always wanted to go on there, but it was only me and my mom. We need five people to play so that dream was out the window. I turn to walk out the living room to go pack.

“Anglia!” My mom called before I can walk out.

“Huh?”

“Don’t go looking for your dad. It’ll only cause everyone more trouble.” She told me.

“Sorry mom, but I need to replace him,” I told her before walking out the room.