Chapter 9

"How much longer do we have to get there?" said Solar.
"Be patient, and I don't exactly see a house," said Sparkle.
"Oh, okay. I really like your name,"said Solar. Sparkle blushed.
"Thank you, my first name isn't Sparkle," said Sparkle.
"Really? What is it?" said Solar.
"It doesn't matter," said Sparkle.
"No, it does. My name's Solar, it isn't a nice name but I'm okay with it," said Solar.
"It's actually a really sweet name," said Sparkle.
"Thank you, now tell me your name," insisted Solar.
"No!" said Sparkle.
"Fine! Be that way, it's only a name," said Solar.
"It might sound stupid to you,  but it's important to me," said Sparkle.
"Which class do you teach?" asked Solar.
"I teach a lot of classes," said Sparkle.
"Do you like children?" asked Solar.
"Yes, do you?" asked Sparkle.
"Of course I do. How can I hate children when there is seven of them in my house?" said Solar.
"Can you tell me their names again?" asked Sparkle.
"Daniel, Samantha, Miral, Star, Moon, Sun, and Duane," recited Solar perfectly.
"I'm impressed, tell me more about Daniel," said Sparkle.
"Well, he is the oldest. We call him Danny. He is 15 years old. He is very active." said Solar.
"Ah, so he is in high school, which school did he go to before?" asked Sparkle. Solar remained silent for a moment.
"He didn't go to a school, I taught them at home," said Solar sadly.
"Well, we have a an open space for a teacher. How about your wife comes and work here since she has teaching experience? Or you could come, it'd be an honour to work with you," said Sparkle.
"Sure, so can my children come see the school?" said Solar.
"Anytime, so how's your wife doing with all these children while you're out?" asked Sparkle. Solar became uncomfortable. He turned his head to the window.
"I'd prefer not to talk about her," said Solar. Suddenly a memory returned to him. They were playing on the grass. Duane was only two. His wife was lying on the soft green grass. Duane was walking to a water fountain. He tripped and got hurt. Then they went to the hospital.
"Solar, Solar, Solar!" exclaimed Sparkle. The memory was gone.
"Yes," said Solar.
"Did you hear what I just said?"
"No"
"Well then,"
"Sorry. Do you have children of your own?"
"Yes"
"What's their names?"
"I have one daughter named Light. She has siblings but they live with their father"
"I like her name"
"Thank you"
"Maybe she could meet my children, how old is she?"
"12 years old"
"Like Star"
"Yeah"
"Where is your husband now?"
"He didn't tell me where he went" Sparkle started crying.
"I'm sorry for asking you"
"It's okay. I think it's fine"
"No it isn't. I just got curious"
"I know he'll come back one day with my children"
"Yeah, maybe"
"Maybe your wife and my children are in a better place,"
"Do you feel depressed?"
"No"
"Don't feel bad, I know your position"
"I appreciate it"
"Okay"
"Solar?"
"Yes."
"Never mind,"
"What?"
"Nothing"
"Tell me"
"It was dumb"
"Okay, whatever,"
"Whatever"
"Do you know a woman named Mona?"
"Mona who?"
"I don't know her last name,"
"Married to Harry?"
"Yes"
"Rich woman, with a daughter?"
"Exactly"
"Yeah, why?"
"I just wanted to know,"
"She was ahem"
"What was she?"
"Nothing"
"It doesn't matter what you say. You can trust me. Do you trust me?"
"We just met"
"Yeah but I thought...."
"Thought what?"
"Well I already feel like we've known each other for a long time,"
"I kinda did too"


That was a bit awkward. Who is this woman? Why doesn't she want to reveal her name?