Chapter 2: The Boomer 1
"Who's he?" a female voice emanates from nothingness. It's blurred and muffled.
"Some kid we're fostering. Doesn't say much but he's a pretty useful kid," now a male voice: gruff but clearer.
What's this? A memory? No, a dream of a memory. I guess a dream is better than nothing. As long as I can stay in bed for a bit longer. However, even that small wish was rudely interrupted by the whirring Sky Train that likes to greet me every single morning for the past 5 years.
Weakly, I opened my eyes and welcomed the golden gleam of the sun through my blinds. "Good morning to you too Robert."
Yes, I named the Sky Train. After all, we see each other every morning. It'd be weird if we stayed as strangers for the rest of our lives. Chuckling to myself, I slowly pulled myself out of the comfortable embrace of my thick blanket. It's already the beginning of winter so I'm thankful for the warmth it's giving me in my lonely nights.
After making my bed, I take a quick shower and put on my signature blue polo shirt and black pants. I then grab my bag and went to my first destination everyday: the door in front of my apartment.
Room 301. The sight of this run-down door and the musky-sweet smell of this hallway will forever be imprinted into my memory as "home". A slight knock is all it takes for me to be greeted by the cutest girl I've ever met.
"Ewo Debwon," a little girl of about five years of age greets me with the most adorable chocolate covered smile. She's still wearing her pink polka-dot pajamas and her auburn hair is still disheveled from the fact that she just woke up and she's already well into the process of making a mess with her paint of choice: Rebon's Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
I kneel down to her eye level and flashes her a smile. "Hello there, Veronica. Are you having good breakfast?"
She nods and hands me a wet, chocolate covered, piece of toast. "Want some?"
I pat her head. "Aww thanks sweetie but I'll get a new one. I'll feel bad to eat what you have."
"I's ok. Mom made many," she announces while emphasizing the word "many" with her arms.
"Ey, you little shit. Close the door, will you? You're wasting my heater," a rough female voice shouts from across the room.
I take that as my cue to carry Veronica inside the house. Immediately, I was hit with the most delicious scent of toast, chocolate, and coffee. Wait, do I also smell homemade jam? Well, that's unexpected. The small table is already set up with a simple spread of what I smelled upon entering.
"Your mouth is as dirty as ever Eli you crazy trucker. You got a child at home," I protested while positioning Veronica on her high chair.
"Bitch, have you been outside? She's gonna learn it sooner or later anyway. Might as well learn it from her mother," she snaps back as she hands me a plate.
This has been my routine for the past five years. This rough and tumble woman who wears nothing but puffy jackets and denim pants has been my breakfast-giver even before Veronica was born. Within the house though, she only wears a tank top and joggers which is the case even now. One thing that is always consistent is that she always puts up her fiery red hair in a ponytail. I guess some would call her a tomboy but that is just an understatement.
"You know, you were so much cuter when I first met you," I mumbled.
As a consequence, a sharp pain slapped me on the back of my head.
"What? You saying I'm not cute anymore? Crazy bitch," she retorted with a small chuckle mixed in.
It was true. She wasn't always like this. I met Eleanor when she was still pregnant with Veronica. During that time, I had just moved into my room and she in hers. I had to bring in two people's worth of stuff because of course, pregnant ladies aren't known for their feats of strength of lifting a fridge. In my eyes, she was vulnerable, fragile, almost like if I touched her, she would break. Thankfully her mom and dad supported her during that time. Even now, they still come by to take care of Veronica.
My first breakfast with her was supposed to be a one-time act of thanks for taking up her stuff for her. But then again, as with the case with Robert, we're neighbors who see each other on a regular basis so it'd be weird if we stay as strangers for the rest of our lives.
During the first few years of getting to know her, she was well-mannered, soft-spoken, and very introverted. However, when she got her job as a trucker, I guess she was influenced by some of her co-workers and something inside her woke up. Her parents think that with her new personality, any man would be too intimidated to even try approaching her. But for raising Veronica, I think having this personality will make sure that no harm will come to both of them.
I snapped back to reality when suddenly, a tiny hand is clumsily trying to put a piece of toast into my mouth.
"Eat Debwon," Veronica aims for my mouth but instead she smacks me on my ear.
"Baby, don't spoil Devon too much. He'll get used to it and he'll be useless for life," Eli pipes in as she takes her seat on the table.
"Har har very funny," I take the toast from Veronica's hand and pat her on the head. "Got a job today?" I say with a mouthful.
"Yeah. The boss finally gave in and paid 60% of the cost for the Kaleidoscopes," she replies while wiping Veronica's face with a moist towelette.
"60%? That's pretty nuts considering how expensive they are."
"Yeah, but the boss knows that his company can't possibly compete with companies who got 'em. Baby, just stay still."
The Kaleidoscope: Sheriv Nazar's greatest contribution to society. It's a contact lens that can literally change how you see the world. They're basically super computers that connect to your brain through the eyes. Need to find groceries quickly? The Kaleidoscope will show you each product in real time. Need to find your lost cat? Just activate its tracking function and you'll find that sucker in no time. In addition, as if they're trying to one-up themselves, Medacorp released their very first big Downloadable Content (DLC) ever since releasing the thing: The Roleplayers' Update. They advertised it as a way to live your childhood fantasy like shooting fire from your hands or having a pet monster. All of it of course is augmented reality but with how the technology has advanced, people can't find the difference between real and augmented.
"What're your plans after getting such amazing tech?" I say before gulping down the coffee Eli put in front of me.
She shrugs, "Eh. I'm just gonna use it for efficient transport and making sure I don't get into car accidents."
"Makes sense. Here sweetie, open up for the airplane vrooom," the strawberry successfully landed on the airport.
"Aren't you gonna get one for yourself?"
"What?"
"The Kaleidoscope. Aren't you gonna get one? Isn't it like almost required in universities and colleges nowadays?"
I chuckle. "You know I can't afford such a thing. I can barely even save up every month."
"I guess so. Plus, I don't think you need one anyway."
"Oh?"
"Yeah like you're probably the smartest motherfucker I've ever known."
A huge smile slowly creeps up on my face. "Eleanor Grace Samson. Are you complementing me right now?"
"Shut the fuck up," then a spoonful of jam hurled towards my direction.
"Hey, my polo's gonna get dirty."
"Fuck your polo. If you're done eating, stop teasing me and get out."
I can't help but let a hearty laugh escape my lungs. "Fine fine. Thanks again for the breakfast."
"Yeah yeah. We're out of milk so get some on your way back."
"Will do," I salute, then turn to the child who started throwing food all over the place. "Bye Veronica," I wave.
"Buh-bye."
Then, I close the door and steel myself to face the rest of the day.
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