Chapter 5

After hearing my story, she hugged me. "It must have been hard for you Ken. I can't fill the void that was caused by losing the father you once knew and loved but know that I will try my hardest to make you happy." I hugged her back and started to cry. "Losing him took a toll on me but I'm glad I met you, Alex, Sam, and the others. You all are like family to me and I will always cherish the moments that we spend together." She wiped my tears away and then kissed me on the forehead. "I should be the one saying I'm lucky to meet you because I would have never been the person I am today without your help Ken."

"You also had a part in that you know but I'm glad I was able to help." We continued talking until we were in front of Ayumi's house. "Well, I guess this is goodbye for now Yumi." "Yup. I had a blast today. See you tomorrow." We hugged each other after bidding each other farewell. "Aww. You guys look so cute together." We immediately canceled our hug and turned around to see who it was. "So is he your boyfriend Ayumi?" she asked. "Yes, Aunty." I could see the resemblance. "Well, what's your name, little boy?" "Oh, my name is Kennedy ma'am."

"Please don't call me that. It makes me sound much older than I already am. The name is Amaya. Glad to see my niece has friends and even a boyfriend. She hasn't really talked about you to me at all." She let out a big sigh before pinching Ayumi's cheek. "Why keep this kind of information away from me? You're making me sad over here you know." "It's none of your business and stop pinching me." "She started pinching her other cheek. "Don't you dare talk to me like that young lady!" She stopped pinching her after a bit and got even closer to me.

"You're quite handsome. Good for you Ayumi. So my hunch was right. I saw you walking home with my niece many times so I figured you all were very close. Well, nice meeting you Kennedy and please make my niece happy." "I will Amaya." "Good. Well, it's getting late. You should probably head home now." "You're right. Bye Amaya and Ayumi." I dashed off into the distance. "I'm making your favorite tonight Ayumi. Wanna help me make it?" "Of course. Let's get started." Some time passed and I was catching my breath while on my veranda.

I was about to open the door but I heard a masculine voice. It didn't sound like my father so I was curious about who it was so I began to eavesdrop. "You know Michael, my son would be so excited to see you. I wonder where he is though." said my mom. "Well, if he is anything like you I would be glad to meet him." At that point, I had one thought in my mind. "The way the conversation is going means they like each other. When did they even meet." I thought to myself. I decided to muster up my courage and open the door.

"There you are, Kenny. Come sit." I did as she asked. "Michael this is the pride and joy of my life and Kenny this is my very close friend Michael." "Your mother always talks fondly of you. It's my pleasure to meet you, Kennedy." "Well, it's nice to meet you too sir." "You don't have to be so formal. Call me Mikey or Mike." "Ok, Mike." "I wanted y'all to meet for a long time now." "I heard you like basketball. Welp, your mom thought I could help you get better at it. My dad taught me how to play ever since I could walk. I even have a private court that me and my other friends play on a lot."

"Woah! I'd be honored to be taught by you." "Well, I just have one condition." "What might that be." "Every Sunday in the morning you'll come with me to church. I heard about the situation you had with your dad and the pastor and I have been praying for you." "If that's all I have to do, I'll gladly go but can I bring my friends." "No problem." "I can't remember the last time I saw Samantha and Alexander plus you have a new friend right? What's her name Kenny?" "About that. I was supposed to tell you. Ayumi is my girlfriend."

"That's great. I can't wait to meet her then." my mom stated. "Well, it's getting late. I should probably head home. We headed home after a very long day. I decided to call Ayumi since I was bored. "HI, Ken. How are you?" "I'm good actually. My mom found me a new instructor for me." "Nice. That should be helpful to you for sure." "Yeah, but he invited me to church so I wondered if you kind of, you know, want to go with me this Sunday?" "Of course! I haven't gone in a while so it would be so fun to go again. Are you going to invite Sam and Alex?"

"Not this time. I want to introduce you to my mother." "Well, I guess I'll bring my aunty along with me so you can properly talk to her then and maybe our guardians could become friends." "That's a great idea Yumi. I can't wait to see you on Sunday." "I'll make sure to wear one of my fancy dresses." "I'll wear some fancy clothes as well then." "Sounds like a plan then, huh?" "Yup. Anyways it's getting late I'll call you tomorrow Yumi." "Bye-bye, Ken." We said our farewells and I stared at the ceiling. "I guess that dream about my dad doesn't mean anything."

Then I got an amazing dream or that is what I thought. It was about me and Ayumi on a date. We were having so much fun. She brought some goodies that she baked herself and they tasted so delicious. We then took a stroll down the park when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked around and there was this shadowy figure. I couldn't recognize him with him being embedded with darkness but for some reason, he seemed familiar to me. He then went on his knees and begged me for my forgiveness. Then a woman holding a baby soon appeared and it was the woman I saw with my dad in the other dream.