PRINCETON BEACH

Carl: Father figure

Carl : father figure

It was the next day. This day was happy for Ethan because he finally got what he was searching for. He's been searching for Tyler right after Tyler was gone from the facility. Even though Tyler destroyed his trust he missed him badly. He used to call people behind nun's back in the facility to know where Tyler went. Those phone calls never helped him to spot him. Actually nothing helped him. He couldn't find Tyler no where. Until an amazing coincidence happened at that day. He was actually running away from that house because it hitted him that he's never gonna meet Tyler. But when he came back with Tyler and heard the conversation between Herbius and Carl he knew he had a slight possibility to find Tyler. That's not the only thing he found out listening to that conversation. He found something else which made his brain boil for hours. Thinking about it made it complicated but he is getting into a conclusion. He heard that Carl was just adopting kids for money. Ethan never knew there's going to be kids. He thought it was just him and Carl's going to be a good father to him. A father figure or the real one is something he never knew the experience of. He never wanted to because when he started to have memories Tyler was always there. He told him that he can't do anything and Tyler's going to be there to take care of him. Respect and admiration was his answer if someone ask why you started loving Carl as his father. When he came to his house he started to desire approval from Carl. Just like any son will do. But now he finds out that he's nothing to Carl. That definitely was a shock to take in. But when he saw Tyler beside him he thought maybe it's not that bad after all. He's here with me. Ethan laughed. He looked at Tyler sleeping. Tyler was sleeping soundly after a long time. Ethan did notice that eyebags on his 11-year-old face. He let him sleep as much as he wants. Ethan went to Rosy's garden. She had fruits in there too. There was some berries he never knew the name of. It was blue and red and dark pink. He finished collecting all the ripe and good ones. The neighbor's fence was easy for him to climb. Those berries wasn't enough. He collected more from the neighbor's garden. He took it all to the kitchen. Dozen of tasty desert items was flashing behind his eyes and Tyler eating it.

Tyler has stayed in the house for a week. Ethan was busy feeding him all kinds of foods. He loved seeing Tyler's excitement and happiness. But it's been bugging him that Carl never looked at him or Tyler not even once this week. He left after eating breakfast and came back late. Ethan felt ashamed for seeing Carl as his father.

That day Ethan and Tyler was in their room. They were playing with a toy car motor. But something unexpected happened there. Carl kannister came to their room. He sat on the chair and looked at the kids. There was an unusual flex in his cheek muscles. He was smiling at them!. Ethan looked at him with his mouth open.

" Hey Ethan ". He said.

He never even looked at Tyler's way. That actually made Ethan happy because he was the first Carl ever took in.

" I want your help with something". He started

" There's this series I'm going to produce and there's this role when I thought about it your face came to my mind". He said.

That disappointed Ethan. He had high expectations for Carl's words. Ethan finally felt like he was being 'used'.

" Would you mind helping me? ". He asked.

" Isn't that why we are here. What if we say no". He thought in his mind but couldn't make the word.

" Yeah I would love to help you like you did to us . Thank you again for letting Tyler stay here".

Next day Ethan and Tyler was having eggs and sausages for breakfast. Carl sat with them too like he always go. But he didn't go after eating it. He went to Rosy's room. Ethan was playing with his eggs because his mind wandered to the question about why Carl didn't leave. Carl moved around with Rosy's wheelchair. He was waiting for Ethan to finish his breakfast.

Ethan and Tyler finished their eggs. Ethan promised him to show the premises outside the house. So they were in a hurry to go out. Tyler changed into a new pink shirt. A pink shirt with no holes or tears but with bright colours. He looked at Ethan who also got out after changing.

"Where are you going Ethan". Carl asked.

" just around here. I wanted to show Tyler around". Ethan replyed.

" Let's do that later". Carl told him

"Let's do something fun together".

Ethan and Tyler looked at each other. They sat down besides Carl on the couch wondering what was in his mind.

" Tyler can you help herbius to feed the chickens? ". He requested Tyler.

Ethan weirdly noticed that Carl didn't notice Tyler at all. His brows frowned. But he wasn't suspicious about Carl smiling at him. It was the first time. He thought maybe his prayers got answered. He smiled at him.

" Remember what I told you yesterday about my show". Carl started. Ethan's face left the smile.

"Yeah of course his stupid show". Ethan said under his breathe.

" Now what we are going to do is tell me about your life and story. About your happy times and sad times. I want to hear everything". Carl said.

Ethan suddenly felt alive. Carl indicated Ethan to sit next to him. Carl looked at him.

" Well I'm happy to tell everything I remember. Because you are the kindest person I ever known". Ethan wasn't sure why he said that last sentence. He started talking about his life. About how wonderful it was, how Tyler came into his life as his best friend and how happy it was ever since. Even though he never knew his parents he never wanted to because he was a mature kid. He didn't wanted to see people who never wanted him. Always looked on the bright side of his life no matter how s**t his life was. He talked about Tyler and his friendship and the pets he had. Carl listened to everything he said with a slight smile on his face. But Ethan didn't know that smile was forced. He talked about everything . His eyes were sparkling. They talked for hours. Mostly Ethan, Carl was listening. He patted Ethan's head.

" Good kid let's talk again tomorrow. Don't wander of to places with your friend alright". Carl told him and left to his room.

Tyler was standing there on the door way. He saw Carl with an unsatisfied look on his face. He walked towards Ethan. Ethan had the opposite look. His flushed happy face was really familiar to Tyler so he didn't have trouble reading it. He is smiling because of Carl but Carl isn't smiling because of him. Why does his happy face disappoint him?. Tyler wondered.