PART 06

Family Member

Two months had passed since Dallen's arrival. The situation is much better than before. He can talk more easily, he can convey what he needs or wants and also no longer has nightmares. All of that thanks to the psychologist who continues to help Dallen.

Even so, I still feel there is something odd about him. From the first time I found him, only in that day I saw him crying. After that, I never saw or found he cry once.

Not that I expect him to cry and tantrum like a kid in his age, but isn't it strange that a child his age doesn't cry once when he has nightmares?

Was this the effect of her trauma or the effect of he memory loss?

While I still thinking about many things, Julian came. He is quite often to visit my house since Dallen here.

“How the investigation?” I asking him.

“Zero. I can't find anything relevan.”

“I see.”

“But, one of the detectives told me he was probably an orphan. It could be, his parents were victims of the plane that crashed not long time ago. Many missing people were never found even today, right?”

“So he could be an orphan?”

“He might. We still don’t know.”

Silence.

I just stare at Dallen who is busy look so fun drawing by him self in living room. While me and Julian discuss on the kitchen.

“You should send him to the orphanage.”

 I glare at Julian.

“We can’t keep this kid in our side all along, Veronica.”

“Just wait until we-”

“You know that’s impossible now.” Julian cut my sentence.

“We don’t know the future.”

Julian quite for a moment and look at my eyes.

“Your position now is already complicated. Also has a high risk. Don’t you know that? Should I explain why?” Julian lower his voice as he whisper.

“Then what would you do to him? Just send him away like we have no responsibility?” I looked into his eyes glaring. Shows I'm angry.

“We don’t have to take all responsibility. We don’t know who is he. He is not our family or something-”

“That's it.” I cut Julian sentence.

He was a little surprised and looked back at me silently.

“That's it Julian. He has no one in this wild word. Has no one. Can you imagine how scary it is? Moreover he lost all his memory as well. Now he don’t know what to do in his life. He has no purpose for living.” I lowered my voice as well as Julian did.

“Then what will happend if you just leave him away by him self? You think he can endure that? You might think he did. But how if he don’t? What will happend to him? Hm?”

Hearing my statement, Julian took a deep breath. For a moment he feel pity on his heart. His eyes are shaking too.

“Plus, we don't know what really happened to him. What if he's been kidnapped and has been severely tortured before? Maybe now he doesn't remember anything but what if later when we leave him away, his memory comes back. What if all those bad memories came back when he were alone?”

Julian swallowed. Now he feels a little guilty.

“At least, if he's with us and his memory returns he still have a place to lean on. Regardless of good memories or bad memories.”

“Do you think I would endure my lose toward my parents if you didn’t stay by my side that time? Do you think I can pass the hardest time alone?”

For a moment Julian just stunned like remembering the bitter past that we both experienced. When the shooting happened, Julian was at my parents' house. He was one of the eyewitnesses who saw and tried to save me when the shooting occurred.

“I choose to rise from my adversity. It's all because I have you on my side. You are the last family member that I have so I want to show you that I’m fine. I can pass it through, cause I’m strong enough, so you have to do the same things. Don’t you know that?”

We both just staring at each other for a moment with silence. Then, Julian start to covered his face with his palms and deep sigh.

“Then, what is your plan?”

“Let's adopt him.”

“What?!”

“Not me. You. Put him on your family card.”

Julian still has a confused face with his gaping mouth and both his hands in the air.

So all this time even though Julian has acted as my person in charge but we have never been in the same family card.

Veronica's name isn't listed on Julian's family card, but my other name is included. It was only used when I was at school.

“But he will stay here so don’t worry. He just join his name on your family card only follows procedurally and legally. I'm the one who is support his need.”

“Veronica that’s mean-”

“It's alright. I know. When we find his true family, I will let him go or when he is the one who choose it to be.”

“Ok but-”

“Nah cause we are agree so please take care of the documents. First we need his birth certificate. You can make it right? Anyway this year he is ten years old.”

“HEI! Why did you leave this troublesome thing to me? You should help me too!” Julian make a fuss of it.

“How about July 7? So his zodiac could be Cancer?” I didn’t hear him and just keep talking nonsense.

In the end both me and Julian agreed to give a new identity to Dallen. Give him new reason for living.

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