Huang Mengxi

    Chapter V

    When I heard the front door shut, I was playing with a little cobweb on the windowsill. I have always wondered how tiny-teeny little creatures such as spiders could create structures so delicate and complex.

    Ms. Davis had been talking on the phone in the next room for like forever, which was a little annoying. My arduous attempt to ignore her was rendered utterly futile by her shrill, wall-penetrating laughter. I was glad mom arrived at the moment.

    I heard her talk in a low voice to Ms. Davis for a while. Then I heard her footsteps approaching my room. I stood up and turned my eyes toward the door.

    Mom walked in. She still had on the plain wool outfit she wore to work, but her hair was pinned up, which was unusual. She looked sparkling. Her brows were high, and there was a faint curve over her cherry lips. There was heavy makeup on her face; I didn’t like it.

    When she walked in the room and looked at me, the curve vanished. Her eyes rested on mine for a second and then moved around the room until they finally set on a box of Legos by the wardrobe. She bought them for me several years ago, and they had been there ever since when I was not playing with them. She took up a piece and played with it in her hand. I could have sworn she was trembling.

    “Mom…”

    “I will put it back in no time,” she interrupted briefly, and then turned to me.

    “Hey, Andy, would it bother you if I brought someone home tomorrow? He wants to have dinner with us.”

    Her blue eyes were fixed on mine. I looked sideways.

    “Please, Andy. Don’t look away. It matters a lot to me.”

    I raised my head and stared at the ceiling, and then said, “Fine.”

    “Thank you.” She bent down to hug me. “Be nice to him, will you?”

    I didn’t speak for a moment. Then I looked at her dark, shining hair and said quietly, “No.”

    Her arms around my shoulders shook slightly and stiffened. She held still for a little longer. She stood up, looked down at me with her lips pressed tightly together and walked away.

    I had so much to say to her, to ask her at that moment. I walked to the door and stood in the hallway. I could still smell the remnant of lilac shampoo in the air. But as the sound of her gentle footsteps slowly faded away, I had a feeling that saying anything would be pointless.

    (To be continued)

Huang Mengxi (黄梦曦) is a senior student at Shenzhen Middle School. She is fond of literature, especially English literature. She became interested in psychology a few years ago and started interacting with children with autism and other mental illnesses.

This serial story is based on the experience she had while volunteering at a local psychological hospital and participating in other charity activities. It tells the story of a teenager with Asperger syndrome who observes the adult world from a special perspective and struggles with the ideals of love and affection.