Little Boy Lost
Rodney sat at the table his tongue between his teeth as he struggled to write his name and the other words that used to come so easily. His feet unable to touch the floor swung back and forth. He was pressing so hard that he put a hole in his paper ruining all his work. With a scream of frustration, he swept his paper and threw the pencil crayon across the room.
"That's not the way to deal with it," came a voice from behind him.
Rodney looked up to find Ronon leaning against the door frame. "It's the way I want to deal with it. I used to be able to do this and now I can't. I can read the words I wrote, but it doesn't make any sense. I don't expect you to comprehend what I'm going through."
Ronon sat down beside him, his voice calm as he asked, "You don't think I understand frustration? Anger? Grief?"
Memories flashed through Rodney's mind of a world destroyed, Ronon's planet and a people wiped out. Feeling ashamed Rodney nodded regretting his remark. "Sorry, Ronon. I'm sorry about your planet and your friends." He stopped looking down at his little boy hands. "Ronon, who am I now? Am I still Rodney, when I can't do the things I did before?"
Understanding the little boy better than he knew. Ronon wrapped his arm around Rodney. "Yes, you are. You've changed a little but the man you were is still inside. He may be lost for a while, but you'll find him again. It might take twelve years or twelve days, but you'll get there. Now-" He clapped his hands together. "Let me help you." Ronon picked up the boy from his chair and put him on his lap. Grabbing another piece of construction paper and another pencil crayon, he helped Rodney form his letters.
When they were done Rodney inspected his creation. Daddy, Thanks for the great day on the beach. I had lots of fun. I love you. Rodney.
He held it up for Ronon to see. "Do you think he'll like it, John- Daddy, I mean."
Ronon's big hand ruffled Rodney's hair. "He'll love it."
Rodney looked at the card and Ronon saw his face cloud over. "Why can't have a real family. I mean before when I was little I had a mom and a dad. I understand why I can't go back to them, but why can't I have a family here?"
Swallowing hard, Ronon thought about the answer unsure he was the one to explain it. "Well, you see it's complicated and I don't know that I'm the one to explain this. I'll just say this. They have their reasons and I you'll have to be patient and let them figure things out for themselves."
Rodney sighed drawing out the next two words. "All right." He looked down at this hands and then asked, "Can you help me make a card for Teyla as well."
"Pick a color and we'll get started."
With a smile on his face he grabbed a blue piece of paper and he and Ronon got started once more.
I love to write and I have written for many fandoms over the years if you like what you see take a look at my page by Googling my penname and you'll find my site with all my stories archived and easy to find. Thanks for reading and I hope you will leave a review.