NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

Junior came out of the bathroom and Kyle ruffled his hair as he passed by, to enter it. Junior watched his 'father' go into the bathroom, his eyes locked on the door until it closed. Even after that, he remained there, outside the door and waited.

Sayuri came by and put her hand on his shoulder, saying, "Come, have your breakfast. He'll be out soon."

Junior shook his head, not wanting to leave the spot.

"He would feel upset if he sees that you've not started eating yet," Sayuri said, trying to coax him, "You don't want him to worry about you now, do you?"

It was only then that Junior made a move, albeit reluctantly.

Sayuri sighed deep in her heart.

She knew how soft-hearted Kyle was with regard to children, so she did not know what would his actions be for this. Sometimes, the mind says something, but the heart will do what it wants.

She should know.

Sayuri made sure Junior was sitting properly before she handed him a plate, "I am not sure what you like, so I just prepared what Kyle normally eats."

With that, Junior's eyes lit up and he happily started eating. Sayuri sighed again, careful not to have him hear.

Kyle soon walked out of the bathroom, with only a towel wrapped low around his waist. His hair was still slightly wet, so some water dripped onto his chest, sliding down slowly towards the 'V' before it disappeared.

Sayuri took one look and turned away, biting her lower lip with her face slightly flushed. She was sure he was doing it on purpose and cursed him silently for it.

As Kyle walked into his bedroom, a ghost of a smile was on his lips.

Yes, he did it on purpose.

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When Kyle got to the breakfast table, he found that Junior was eating slowly. As if waiting for him. Sayuri was already eating and his own plate with breakfast was laid on the table.

"We didn't know what you liked," Kyle said as he tucked in, "So we just started with something simple. Is it okay?"

Junior nodded, swallowed and answered politely, "Yes."

"So what do you like to eat for breakfast?" Kyle asked.

"Anything," Junior replied.

"It's okay to say what you like," Kyle said gently, "It does not mean you'd get it, but we would try if it is possible."

Junior looked at his plate, then at Kyle, "Really?"

"Of course," Kyle said and looked at Sayuri, "Right, honey?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Sayuri replied, kicking him under the table with a smile on her face.

He avoided it, of course, his upper body hardly moving to show that he had done so.

Kyle turned to Junior and explained, "You can always ask and tell us what you feel, or want. It does not mean that we will get it for you all the time, but we do take your feelings and wants into consideration."

Junior nodded, "Okay."

Kyle and Sayuri felt that it was important for Junior to know this.

What he was going to be told later by his grandfather (grand-uncle, really, but we will gloss over those minor details now, right?) and for the next few days would be harsh on the little one.

He needs to know that he can talk about it, that his feelings matter.

More importantly, that he could express them without fear. Kyle was worried that he might keep it all in and have those negative thoughts swirl about in his mind. Such thoughts were dangerous not just because it was negative, but that in time, it would be truth in his mind.

It would lead to a lot of problems in the future.

It was similar to what his mother was doing, that is, focusing on one thing so much that the lies became truth and she bent everything to fit that lie.

After breakfast, Kyle had Junior help clean the table and wash the dishes while Sayuri went to the living room. Chores were to be shared. Since Sayuri prepared breakfast, they cleaned up.

Even though it was work, Junior thoroughly enjoyed it because Kyle was beside him. He loved being included, and that Kyle was patiently teaching him how to do the dishes. He was responsible for rinsing while Kyle did the soaping and putting the dishes on the drying rack.

Their first trial happened right in the living room, when they went there after finishing doing the dishes.

Junior looked at Kyle and asked softly, "Can I call you Daddy now?"

Sayuri's heart lurched at that question and she looked worriedly at Kyle. He looked slightly sad and appeared as if he was struggling with the words. Junior seemed to sense something wrong and tears started falling down his cheeks.

"I can't?" he said in a whisper, "You don't want me?"

The tears flowed even more, "Then why were you so nice to me?!"

Kyle went to him and gripped him firmly by the shoulders. The boy struggled, his sobs getting louder as he tried to get free. Kyle pulled him close to him and hugged him tightly, ignoring the struggles and kicks.

"Junior," Kyle said slowly and firmly, "It is not a matter of whether I want you or not. I like you. Really I do. You're such a good boy."

"Then why…?"

"You can't call me Daddy because I'm not your father," Kyle said, making the decision then to tell him. The last thing he wanted was to lie or cover it up for it would only make things worse later.

"NO! YOU ARE! MUMMY SAID YOU ARE!!" Junior screamed and Kyle winced a bit because it was right at his ear.

Kyle didn't let go and tried to explain, "Your mother made a mistake. She thought I was, but I am not."

"No! You're the one who made a mistake! Mummy is always right!!"