Best Friend
"I can't go..Momma said." Roy said to the older boy with fluffy blonde hair. Roy was now 7 years old. "Come on..don't be a wussy, Roy?" The older boy urged Roy, "You don't want to be a loser do you?" Roy shook his head in defeat. The older boy continued "All you have to do is put it in your pocket and walk riiight out, no one'll see ya?"
Roy looked up at the brightly colored candy store. He really didn't want to but he didn't want to be a loser either. His sweaty hand tightly gripped the bronze handle of the door and he slowly pulled it open. He heard the older boys giggling amongst each other but he ignored it and made his way inside. The shelves were so tall, he thought as he eyed the candy, maybe he's right..no one'll see me? He took a hand full of taffy and crammed it all his pocket, only a few stray pieces dropped to the floor. Roy quickly shuffled out with a bulging pocket.
"Hey, kid!" The clerk called after. "YO! Get back here!"
The small boy made a run for it. He ran down the dank streets of the depressed neighborhood, knowing no one was after him but he was still scared, scared those boys would tell the clerk who he was and call Momma. He was sure Momma would get the broom out and hit him. So certain she would that he didn't stop until he was in the ghetto.
This was no place for a rich little boy with a pocket stuffed with taffy, the kids around here weren't afraid to beat the crap out of him. The houses were run down and broken, but the residents did their best. Water didn't run here and few homes could afford electricity. He walked along the cracked sidewalk, quite scared to be lost. Roy felt his eyes tearing up as the gang of children began to follow him. A girl in pigtails caught up to him, "Heey..you're new here?" He looked at her then the ground, "I'm lost..." She let out a long laugh "Loost? Hahaha anyway..gimme your candy, kid." He recoiled, "No. It's mine!"
She hit him across the face "Give it to me!"
He began to run and run. Roy didn't want to admit it but he was scared of those kids. But he soon got tired and rested on a bus bench. The pigtail girl laughed "There's Ching Chong!"
She viciously grabbed his face and took his candy from his pocket, "You betta get on outta here, boy."
He began to cry, "Noo give it back! I don't want to be a loser!"
She merely laughed "You already are, Rice-Picker!"
A taller boy with dark hair approached with a friendly smile, "Hey, Samantha? What're you doing?" She gestured "Slanty, here, givin me some candy."
The boy laughed "Is that right? Why's he crying then..."
Samantha looked at Roy "Cuz he's so happy."
The boy said, bluntly "Give it back, Sam."
She yelled "No! I stole it fair and square! I ain't giving it back to this Yella-monkey!"
The boy snatched the candy from Sam and pushed her away, "Don't make me tell, Mom, Sammy..get home before I do." The girl scowled and walked away.
The boy sat next to Roy and held out the taffy "Are you okay?"
Roy snatched his candy and nodded. "What's your name?" The boy asked, kindly.
Roy shot back "Roy."
The boy stood, "I'm Maes. Let me take you home.."
He protested but..who else would take him home. He didn't know anyone here and this boy was nice enough? Maes lead him home, making small talk with the crying boy. They came upon his house. It was large and Victorian. It was brightly colored blue with flower bushes planted all around the exterior, they were Mrs. Hawkeye's pride and joy. She'd spend hours watering them and trimming them. She taught both of her children how to care for plants until recently when Mr. Hawkeye put a stop to it, saying it wasn't right for a boy to grow a garden.
Roy smiled "Thank you, Maes? I never would've found my way back.."
Maes said, sing-song "It's no problem, buddy!" the Roy held out a piece of candy.
He refused, "Sorry..no. I don't eat stolen candy." Roy frowned "Okay..bye."
Maes smiled "Bye."
They departed and Roy went inside where his family was waiting. Mrs. Hawkeye came from the kitchen, "What's that in your pocket, Roy?" Roy began to blush, "Nothing?"
She said, annoyed "Nothing? Then show me."
He timidly pulled the candy from his pocket and held it out to her.
She snatched it, "Roy Mustang! How DARE you steal!"
He recoiled, "I'm so-"
Mrs. Hawkeye slapped him across the face, "Go to your room."
He stammered "Bu-"
She growled "Now!"
Roy scurried up the stairs and ran to his room and slammed the door. He plopped on his bed and cried.
Thud thud!
He looked up from his pillow and saw 5 year old Riza bouncing a ball in his room. He snarled, "Get out of my room, Riza!" She smiled and left without a word.
The rest of the day commenced without a word to Roy. His mother was giving him the silent treatment as a punishment. That was the worst punishment because he loved her so. She had him clean the dinner dishes and go to bed early.
Late that night he heard the gentle trickling of the bathtub across the hall of his bedroom. He got up in the darkness and crept the his door and peeked out. The hall was quiet and the bathroom light was on. The grandfather clock said 12:00 A.M. he slowly made his way to the bathroom door
"Momma?" He said, quietly. "I'm sorry for stealing the candy.."
His small hands pushed the door open to a horrible sight.
Jessica was laying in the bathtub with her wrists slit, the water murky with blood and her head cocked to the side. Roy screamed, "Momma! Momma! What's wrong!!"
He ran over to her body and shook it slightly, "Momma! Wake up!"
Mr. Hawkeye came to the open doorway, "She's dead, Roy, and it's all your fault."
The little boy whined slightly and backed away from Jessica in the bathtub, "I didn't do anything.."
Mr. Hawkeye placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "You did. Roy, this is your fault. You're why she's dead. You don't belong here."
