May-Li and Mike were doing office work when Alex came storming into the office.
"Alex?"
"I am my own person, I don't need her."
"Who?"
"My mother. I'm not just something from a box of memories and photographs. I made my own life."
"I know Alex, but…"
"I made my own life without her," Alex said as he started to cry. "I don't need… I don't need her… I don't… a faceless… heartless…" Alex said as he started to cry and May-Li went over to him. "A…where I…"
"Oh Alex," May-Li said, and she hugged him. Mike closed the office door and locked it. Alex then cried, he cried for every night that he had been out alone on the street. He cried for every day he had been separated from his mother. And he cried for the pain that filled his heart.
May-Li held him close and they knelt on the ground. Several kids came by to see what was wrong, but Mike sent them away. Alex's heart broke in two that day, and May-Li let him sleep on the sofa in the office. She did not want him to be alone, and Alex needed someone to be with him.
"Hey. Alex, wake up," May-Li said gently as she woke up. "Hey," She said as Alex opened his eyes and he looked at her. "It's time for you to go to your own bed."
"Ok," Alex said and he slowly sat up.
"I need to go home, but do you want someone to stay with you?"
"How long have I been with you May-Li?"
"8 and a half hours," May-Li said as she looked at her watch.
"I'm sorry."
"No, no don't be sorry," May-Li said and tears started to form in Alex's eyes. "Who do you get on with here?" May-Li asked and Alex went quiet for a few minutes.
"Finn. Please… Finn."
"Alright, stay there," May-Li said and she left him. "Finn, can I have a word with you please?" May-Li said and Finn went over to her.
"What is it?"
"It's about Alex."
"Is he alright?" Finn asked and May-Li went quiet for a moment.
"He is. But he can't be alone at the moment."
"Why not?"
"He's in a difficult place. He's delicate at the moment."
"Oh, ok."
"I need you to keep an eye on him overnight. Can you sleep in his room, just for tonight?"
"Of course I can."
"Thank you Finn. And please try and keep everyone else away from him."
"Why's he in a difficult place May-Li?"
"Years of pain have come to the surface for him. He needs time and care."
"Ok," Finn said and May-Li took him to the office. She got Alex upstairs and got Finn set up in his room. Alex was very grateful to Finn for staying with him, and the next day they went to the park.
When they got back, May-Li was waiting for them.
"Hey. How are you doing?"
"Much better," Alex told her.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Finn's been helping me."
"Good. Thank you Finn."
"It's been my pleasure."
"I've put your stuff back in the attic Alex."
"Thank you," Alex said. "But I don't want to see it again."
"You don't have to. It's there just for storage."
"Ok," Alex said before his anger got the better of him. "I just not that boy anymore," Alex said, and he went up to his bedroom.
"He's still not quite himself."
"But he's much better now. Thank you Finn. We will continue to be gentle with him alright?"
"Yeah, I know," Finn said and they left Alex to it. He was back to being enough of himself that May-Li was happy to leave Alex to it.
