Over the entire summer, my young friend (who happens to be second cousin |or we may not be related at all|) has spent a few days each week with me. It's been a blast, but SOON me must start preparing for school, so our time together for the summer has come to a halt. An unwelcome one at that. The kid loves me to death, and I've fallen into absolute bliss while around him. He's just a fresh drink of water in a desert. He's a good boy. He really is, he isn't rude or disrespectful at all, he does his chores, brushes his teeth, makes his bed (ect, ect, come on Youth?? ge to the good part, i know, i know)....

We actually had a serious, heart felt conversation one night, one he approached me about (as we where falling asleep). I could tell he was nervous when he held my hand, and not like the 'usual' hand holding, he grabbed my arm and hugged it, lol. Anywho, this boy is so confused about his parents. So I'll break this down for you.

His mom married his dad. They had him.
Then his mom got a divorce when he was two.
She met another guy, lived with him, didn't marry him, and they had his sister. Then, they seperated. Personally, this is a shitty way to have children, other people get left explaining your actions. Anyway, the man she (his mom) met after his dad, was apparently cruel. Miles (the boy, i'll call him that, though that isn't his name) doesn't like to be outside, he likes his video games and stuff, and where I get the importance of health and fitness, the guy MADE him play every sport you can name, made him hunt (he also dislikes rednecks :p). Miles hated him. Anyway, i know, Youth?? taking his precious-ass time. Miles told me about a time, in which the man (he called him his step-dad, but they where not married and I told him DO NOT call him that) anyway, he told me about a time the man got stung by bees, and the man was alergic, so they rushed him to the hospital.

The doctor came outside and said "if you had got here 10 minutes later, he's be dead".

The room fell silent, and Miles looked and me and said:
"All I could think was - dang, only ten minutes and he'd be out of my life".

Miles was nine, nine year old's don't wish death upon others, unless honestly called for. I didn't press the matter much, just dried his tear and hugged him. But it makes me wonder what that man did to him. I always thought he was a shady character anywho.

Me and Miles have grown so close, but the other day was our last day together, and I had to go to work, so he stayed with my mother until his mother could come pick him up (he lives close, just in my opposite direction, and his mom was coming back into town). I kissed him (on the cheek) and told him to keep smiling, he really didn't want me to leave, but I had too. I came home to everything messy (he helped me make it that way) the covers where positioned as if two people where sleeping in the bed. Everything was preserved, perfect - the way he left it. I feeling came over me, I really miss him. We're only Miles apart (hee hee, why I chose this name) but his schedule (going too and fro to see his dad) and school might make us distant until school holidays or THE holidays. But he's made an impression on my heart. I just want to be a good example, and show him some cool stuff along the way - as he grows and learns. But, it's that bitter-sweet, calm before the storm that settles in and makes my heart sink.