Colonello's lost son
By Blockhed13
"Colonello..." Lal Mirch's voice faded away. She picked up a baby from a cradle, and looked deep in his blue eyes. "I... I'm sorry." She looked again in the baby's deep blue eyes, but said nothing. "I wish you could see your son, he looks so much like you." she then glances at a picture of Colonello.
"It's too dangerous to stay here. It's best if you go to America, it's safer there," she informed as she glances at the baby, "Colonello junior..." she spoke softly as she put the baby back down, "Be safe in America. Please."
15 years later, in New York City.
I lean back and look at all the lights. "Wow... I've always been amazed everyday. This is all old to me though." I say to myself. A vendor walked up to me.
"Avoid your baby drama mama, getch'er condoms by Obama!" he chanted.
"That's... That's weird." I think to myself. I keep walking through the city of lights all the way to central park.
"Ah, my favorite rock." I say to myself and I sit down. "Ahhhh... So nice to be alone."
Then my friend, Chi, came from behind the rock, "Figured you'd come here, Ryan."
"So much for alone." I think to myself, "Hi, Chi. Am I that predictable?"
"Yeah. You come here every Friday. So, what's up, Ry?"
"Nothing much. Just chillin'."
"Did you see the announcements today?"
"Nah. I usually don't feel like reading who got in the cheer leading squad."
"It wasn't that today!"
"Then what is it that has you excited?"
"You mean you don't know?"
"About what?"
"They selected who's going to Japan!"
"Oh yeah, mister Foster was in charge of that. Lemme guess who's going, Dean, Jeanette, Kyle, and Elle?"
"No, not the jocks and the cheer leading jerks this time!"
"Okay, who were the lucky people this time? The frats and the sorority sisters?"
"Nope!"
"Was one of them you?"
"Nope!"
"Then who?"
"You were one of them!"
"And that has you excited?" I think, "Sweet!"
"Lucky dog!"
"I wonder why they chose me as one of them..."
"You probably have good grades and stuff like that."
I stand up, "I guess I should tell my parents."
"Yeah, hey, first, wanna go get a bite to eat?"
"Naw. I'm good."
"Is there anything you want to do?"
"Nope. I'm gonna go home. It takes a while cause' I have to take the ferry to Jersy and stuff."
"Okay! See you later!" Chi smiled as she walked away.
About an hour later, after taking the buses, ferry, and train, I was finally home.
"Ah, there you are, Ryan."
"Hey mom! Guess what?"
"What is it, hon?"
"I was selected to go to Japan today!"
"That's great! When do you leave?"
"I believe it was Tuesday. I'm gonna hafta double check on that."
"Okay. How long is it?"
"Umm... Two weeks."
"Wonderful! I'm so proud of you!"
Thinks, "She can be so full of herself sometimes..."
"Remember, when you're in Japan, look both ways, hold hands while crossing the street, and shower!"
"MoOoOom!"
"I know, you're 15 and all, but don't get cocky."
"Of course mom."
"Now, dinner is in about 45 minutes. Go wash up."
"Sure," I mumble as I walk to the shower. Simply, I get undressed and take a shower while thinking, "I wonder what Japan will be like. I wonder if it would be any different."
I came out of the shower and got dressed and all that stuff. I got out of the bathroom and sat at the dinner table. "There you are, Ryan."
"Hey dad. How was work?" I replied.
"Your mom told me the good news."
"Figures," I thought, "Meh, it's nothing."
"Nothing? It's huge! Our first kid going to Japan!"
I just rolled my eyes, and started to eat my pork. "It really is nothing. Haven't you guys been to Japan before?"
"Yeah, right before you were born. 15 years ago," my dad answered.
"I doubt it's that impressive. Maybe I should just stay here," I questioned myself.
"Nooo, you really should go! You'll love it," he boasted. Then the rest of the dinner was then served, and we stopped chatting.
After dinner, we didn't do much. Just watched tv. At about 9, I decided to go to bed. The next day, was a Saturday, nothing all that eventful, I just usually hopped the ferry to NYC.
The alarm goes off on my clock, simply, I hit off. Got up, got dressed, and picked up my cell phone. 1 new message from Chi. I opened it, "Hey, you awake?"
I respond, "Yeah."
She replied, "GR8, wanna hit up the excellent dumpling house today?"
I replied, "I'm already gonna have Japanese food. I'm good."
She replied, "Idiot, it's CHINESE food."
Before I reply, I thought, "I've had dumplings before, I didn't like them, but I don't wanna blow her off," so I text, "See you there at noon. I'm gonna shop around a bit. I like China town."
She replied, "Okay."
Now at this point, you're probably thinking Chi's my girlfriend. Well, she's not. She already has a boyfriend, and all three of us like to hang out sometimes. Anyways, it was 9. I slip on my DC's and grab my wallet and my keys. If I hurry up now, I can get to China town at about 11. I grab my NFT (Not for Tourists) guide to NYC, and shove it in my book bag, and sling the bag over my shoulder.
In China town
"Hm, I made good time. I have an hour and a half to do stuff," I said to myself. Then I noticed a guy running away from a lady, and the guy had her purse, "And this day gets more exciting," the guy ran towards me, so I stuck my foot out, he then face planted into the pavement. I picked up the purse.
"Is this yours?" I ask the lady who just ran up to me.
"Yes! Thank you so much! How can I repay you?" she asked. I gave her the purse.
"Just forget I was here. Forget me," I commented. I then walked away. I don't like attention, I hate the media, I just wanna be seen as a person. I don't want 15 minutes of fame, I don't wanna be seen a celebrity, I just want to be the same.
I shopped around, hit up my favorite souvenir shop.
"Heeeeey! It's my favorite customer!" chanted the store owner.
"Hi, mister Nagano," I greeted. In the past, I would help him unload things from his van or help a customer and he would give me 5 bucks or a souvenir of some sort. I always came here on Saturday, and he was always waiting.
"Need any help today, mister Nagano?" I asked.
"Not today, but could you replace the giant water jug?" he asked. He pointed to the dispenser with a few water jugs around it.
"Sure," I answered. I replaced the empty water jug with a full one, and mister Nagano slipped me two bucks, "Thanks, see you in 2 weeks!"
"Oh. Big trip?" he asked.
"I'm going to Japan. See you later!" I answered. I left the small shop.
I met up with Chi at the excellent dumpling house.
"Hey, Ryan. It's about time you got here!" she complained.
"Yeah, yeah, where's JJ?" I asked.
"Running a little late. He had to make a delivery to his uncle K," she answered.
I look at the restaurant, and saw pictures of pot stickers. "Ooooooh, pot stickers. I like those."
"What else were you thinking?" she asked.
"Well, I once was served 'dumplings', but they were waded up pieces of dough, and I didn't like them.," I answered.
"Ah. No, these are the good kind!" she informed.
"Good to know," I commented. The two of us went inside and started eating lunch, about 10 minutes later, Chi's boyfriend joined us.
"Chi, Ryan, wazzzzaaaaaapp?" he asked in a strange voice.
"Just fine, JJ, you?" I asked casually, he sat down with us.
"Oh, just fine. Had to drop something off at my Uncle K's house," he answered.
"So nice to see you sweetie!" Chi smiled.
"You too!" he answered and smiled back, "What did you guys order?"
"Beef dumplings, chicken dumplings, and an order of scallion pancakes," Chi answered.
"Sounds good," he answered. We all ate and told our stories, and laughed too. We ate like there was no tomorrow, inhaling all the food we got. Chi paid, as we all went our separate ways. Chi and JJ both went to a movie, and I went to visit mister Nagano again.
"Hello again Ryan!" he greeted.
"Heya," I smiled.
"I'm glad you're here, can you replace a car battery?" he asked.
"Yeah, it isn't too hard," I answered.
"Good, you see, my van's battery died and I'm so old I can't get it out," he informed me.
"Okay," I answered as I set my bag down. I walk out back to take a look at his van, and he had the hood popped open and a new battery waiting. I unlatched the battery from its holder, and shimmed it out. I put that down, and picked up the new battery and slid it into place. I reconnected the wires, and tested it. Worked like a charm. I walk back in.
"All done, mister Nagano," I informed.
"That was quick," he eyed me up and down, "And you didn't get dirty?"
"Nope,"
"Huh, anyways, take this as a good luck charm," he handed me a small die-cast dragon. I took it.
"Thanks, but I really shouldn't take this," I attempted.
"No, I insist you take it. It's the least I can do. There was this boy who wanted to charge me fifty dollars to change the batteries. I said no! I know nice young boy who do it free!" he told me. I looked at the dragon.
"Thanks, mister Nagano," I smiled. The dragon did look kinda cool. He handed me a chain and I put the dragon on it, I then hung it around my neck. I bow to him and say my thank-yous and goodbyes. I picked up my bag and left. As I walked out the door, a breeze picked up and my shirt flew up, revealing my birthmark.
"Aren't you a little young for a tattoo, Ryan?" mister Nagano asked.
"It's a birthmark. And before you say it, yes. I know it looks like a pacifier." I quickly answered.
"Oh." Mister Nagano smiled as he waved. I went back home.