September 5th, 1969

1:02 pm

From that day onward, Edward could not be kept out of the gardens. Had he any thumbs, they would be the most brilliant green. The once ungainly hedges have been replaced with botanical art. My favorite is a giant sea serpent. Obviously my boy was listening when I told him about the Loch Ness monster.

The only problem with his newfound passion was the state it left him in. By the time he came back inside, Edward was smudged with dirt and usually had a few new cuts.

"Well now. Looks like you've been busy."

My boy nodded happily.

"I want to show you." he said.

"Alright. But first lets get you cleaned up."

Edward was a little confused at the request. Normally there was no need for him to wash. He managed to stay reasonably clean while in the house.

"Its alright" I reassured. "You're just a little dirty, that's all."

I managed to clean Edward up without any trouble. He seemed to enjoy it. At first I was worried about exposing him to water. What would happen if he short circuited? It would mean more time playing surgeon. But Edward was braver than me.
After disconnecting the blades, my boy stepped into the tub. Nothing happened.

"Father?"

"Yes Edward?"

"Where is Emma now?"

That question caught me off guard. It took me a while until I could find my tongue again.

"She's... She's not here anymore."

"Where did she go?"

The lump in my throat was growing by the minute. This was the discussion I've been dreading the most. I have taught him as much as I could about the ways of people.

How was I possibly going to explain death.

"Well... Some years ago Emma became very sick."

"Like what happened to me?" asked Edward.

"Yes. In a manner of speaking."

"Couldn't you fix her?"

That same question still haunts me to this day.

"You see, Edward... Emma had something more than a burning stomach. I tried everything to help. But what she had just wasn't fixable."

Edward didn't ask me anymore questions. He watched me with those bottomless eyes as I discreetly dabbed away a tear.

"People die, Edward" I sighed. "Its a part of life. Something that happens to all living things."

"You were sad when Emma died, Father" my boy uttered.

"Yes. But I know she is at peace now. When people who are good and kind die, they go to a beautiful world beyond the stars. I'm certain she is there."

Edward was silent for a moment. He looked down at himself and then at me.

"Am I going to die?"

I honestly had no idea what to say.

"I don't know. You were made differently from others. Some people think that wouldn't make you human, if you can believe that. But you have feelings. You learn and express yourself."

"Does that make me human?" he asked after a lengthy pause.

"In my book, it makes you more human than anyone I know."

Carefully I helped my boy out of the tub. As I dried him off, Edward did the most curious thing. I felt his handless stumps resting shoulder. In his own timid way, Edward was offering me a hug.

"What's wrong, Edward?" I asked.

"That time in the garden when I made the hedge better. You held me like this. I wanted to do the same for you..."

"Why now?"

"Because" he uttered. "I wont cut you when my hands are off."

Those last words stung. I didn't know Edward was so aware of himself. Especially of his unique appendages.

My poor boy. I know I said I was hoping he'd learn to use his blades effectively. But enough time has passed. Edward deserves to be normal.