Where Memories Meet Tomorrow

Chapter 4- New Neighbor

Kate had spent the whole day in silence. She resented her mom’s attitude and felt increasingly isolated. The next day, a Sunday, a new neighbor arrived to move in. As boxes were carried in and furniture shifted about, Kate stood at the front door and watched a little boy being gently escorted inside by a kind-looking woman. The moment she saw him, she claimed him as her brother in her mind—she longed for a brother, but not one like Richard.

The woman, Jessica Mckenzie—clearly the new neighbor and Alex’s mom—noticed Kate’s curious gaze as she helped with the packing. With a warm smile, Jessica greeted her.

“Hello there. I’m Jessica Mckenzie,” she said kindly.

Kate replied shyly, “Hi, I’m Kate.”

After the packing was done, Jessica sat down for a brief chat with Kate. “I can see you’re curious,” she said. “We’re just a little family here.”

Kate’s eyes drifted to the boy. “What’s his name?” she asked, tilting her head.

Jessica replied softly, “His name is Alexander—Alex for short.”

“Oh, brother Alex!” Kate exclaimed, half-imagining him as the perfect sibling. But then, turning toward Alex, she asked, “But… where is your dad?”

Before anyone could answer, Alex bolted outside with a rapid movement. Jessica followed him quickly and, after a moment, called back, “Alex, wait!”

When Kate pressed, “What happened?” Jessica sighed and explained gently, “Alex’s father abandoned him.”

Kate’s brow furrowed with concern and confusion. “What? What happened to him?”

A soft flashback wove through Jessica’s words as she recounted a painful memory:

“Alex came home from school one day and checked the clock- it was 2:33 pm. He thought his father would be there, but just then, there was a knock at the door. It was his father, Mr. George Mckenzie. As soon as Alex greeted him, he looked him up and down and shouted, " get out of my sight!". Devastated, Alex ran to his room and cried terribly. He remained inconsolable until I came back from work in the evening. I asked his father where Alex was, and his father simply replied that he didn't know where he was. I rushed to find him in his room, sobbing uncontrollably, and I confronted his father in the living room. I shouted, 'Is he not your son?

'Don't ever call him my son!' he lamented. A male child is not enough. I want a female child, for God's sake.

Are you really rejecting him?

If not for my love for you, I would have killed him or kidnapped and sold him! But my love for you stands.

'I'm tired of this kind of family. Let's divorce!'. I declared.

Alex's face went pale when he heard her mom say 'divorce'. He whispered, 'divorce?'

Okay, fine- if you're divorcing me because of this murderer, then let's divorce. He said angrily even though he doesn't like the idea.

" What? Divorce, no!" Alex thought as he slipped into unconsciousness. I quickly took care of him- after all, I'm a nurse- while his father,devastated, has no choice but to call his lawyer to file the divorce papers. I remember when I was pregnant; we had a scan and discovered twins - a boy and a girl. But during the surgery at birth, one twin had to die for the other to live. Tragically, the girl died. His father, coming from a family with no females, had always longed for a daughter. He promised himself he would have a daughter no matter what". And that's why he's mad when we lost the girl and blackmailed Alex for murderer when he was innocent.

Jessica, Alex's mother paused, her eyes misting over as she finished, " so we divorced, and he sent us out - that's how we ended up here".

Kate listened, wide-eyed, feeling both sympathy and sadness. “I can see why he ran outside,” she murmured.

Jessica nodded, her expression softening. “Sometimes, the truth is too painful. But we’re working through it, every day.”

After a few moments, Jessica asked, “So, where do you live? I’d love to visit you tomorrow—I’m a bit tired today from all the moving.”

Kate replied, “Just opposite your place.”

“Alright, thank you,” Jessica said with a gentle smile. “Good night, Kate.”

Later that evening, as Kate was about to head inside, she found Alex quietly sitting on the front step. Kneeling beside him, Kate whispered, “It’s okay, Alex. Everyone has a story to tell—it’s not your fault.”

Alex managed a small, understanding smile. “Yeah… thanks, Kate.”

“See you tomorrow, brother,” she replied softly as he watched her go inside.