Session One:
Chance Kelly lay on the comfy gray-green couch of his therapist’s office. The walls were an Asian musty green and the drapes by the window were a cream color. A fan hummed softly in one corner and a noise buffer sat by the door, preventing anyone from hearing his conversation with his therapist.
He was uncertain as to what he should say or where to begin. His therapist, Mequi Tobbinson, made him uncomfortable and for good reason.
“You are welcome to tell me whatever you need to.” Mequi spoke to Chance in a soothing voice, his dangerously sharp eyes remaining soft as he stared at his client. “You were vague over the phone.”
Chance glanced at the man, scanning the soft oriental features and the rusty dark brown hair that was styled professionally on top of his head. Mequi was beautiful in a masculine and fantastical way that made Chance grow even more unsure.
“I…” Chance hesitated. “I made the appointment because of you.”
Mequi seemed unfazed by Chance’s words, his own eyes washing over the delicate and feminine features of his client. If it was not for several implications, Mequi would have found himself interested in the man. Chance had a porcelain face that was round and soft like a child’s. His eyes were large and a bright green, but they seemed currently dead and remote as if they were dancing off in some far away place. Long blond hair wisped about his face like the strands of an angel’s hair. He was dressed in a teenager’s garb: loose jeans, a red long-sleeved shirt beneath a golden yellow tee with a hood, and clunky boots. The young man’s attire was a sharp contrast to Mequi’s black suit, but seemed to be one of careful choice and the therapist could tell that Chance had taken his time to make sure he did not wear anything outrageous for the occasion of his first meeting with Mequi.
Judging by his looks, Mequi figured Chance was still in his teens, but no longer went to school so he considered the possibility of eighteen or nineteen.
“Oh?” Mequi flicked up a brow at Chance’s earlier statement. “Could you explain?"
“It’ll take too long.” Chance muttered. That was not the truth though. He was afraid to tell Mequi what he knew.
“At your request, we have two hours.’ Mequi informed the young man. “Feel free to tell me whatever it is that is on your mind.”
Chance hesitated, his eyes flickering with a sorrowful version of indecision. “Fine. I’ve met you before, Mequi…no…let me restate that…I know all about you, Mequi, but I’ve never actually met you. It’s difficult to explain, but I’ll do my best.”
“You have my full attention.” Mequi remained completely calm as he clicked on a tape recorder, but there was a genuine hint of interest in his hawk-like eyes. In his mind, he imagined that Chance had dreamed up a form of Mequi's life, one that did not truly exist in reality. Such things were common for the mind to create and it would not surprise Mequi in the least bit. Perhaps, Chance had seen Mequi for a mere moment one time and then imagined everything that he could have to produce a story close to a human life. “Please, continue.”
“Well,” Chance closed his eyes. “I can only recall shards of my own life, but I know all of yours…you were born in Phoenix, Arizona…”
~~*~~
Tammy stared at her newborn son, wishing his father could have been there to see him. The infant looked exactly like his sire and, so much, that Tammy found herself jealous. His skin was soft and olive in complexion and his eyelashes were long and thick about his almond-shaped eyes. His hair, though scant, would certainly grow to be full, fine, and silky and she had a feeling that it would be either black, like his dominant ethnicity, or a dark rusty brown, like his father. He was small too. He had only weighed in at barely four pounds, which had, and still did, frighten Tammy.
“It’s time to give him away.” Tammy’s Japanese mother told her and the sixteen-year-old girl frowned as she passed her baby to the middle-aged couple, whom stood beside her hospital bed. Her Caucasian father smiled to her encouragingly when she glanced at him for support.
“What would you like us to name him?” The adopting father asked in a gruff voice as he looked at Tammy. “I’m not sure we’ll agree, but we’ll consider.”
“Ruri.” Tammy stated sternly. “His name will be Ruri like his father wanted.”
“Ruri?” The woman beside the man asked in skepticism. “I was hoping for the name Mequi…”
“Odd name.” Tammy muttered, angry that the man would ask for her opinion when he had already picked out a name with his wife.
“It’s one that we’ve favored for a long time.” The man tried to reassure the girl that it was a worthy name, but she refused to hear of it. She still wanted the baby’s name to be Ruri.
“Time to say good-bye.” Tammy’s dad stated sternly as he stepped closer to her.
“Bye-bye.” Tammy whispered to her son, her voice thick and her eyes grieved as she kissed his soft forehead. “I love you, my sweet Ruri.”
~~*~~
“Stop there.” Mequi abruptly interrupted as he paused the recorder and stood.
He was keeping his cool, understanding that, though no one outside of his family knew about his adoption from Tammy Wick, such knowledge could be discovered with the modern internet. Not knowing the details of the event of his birth himself, Mequi knew that the entire scene that Chance had described in detail could very well have been imagined by the young man. Still, he had felt a need to break the growing tension with an interruption.
“Would you like some water?” He asked as he made his way to a small table.
“Please,” Chance murmured, watching as the man poured some from a pitcher and handed the cup to him. “Thank you.”
The therapist poured himself a glass and sipped the water as he sat. “I am sorry for the interruption. Please, continue.”
Chance did as he was told when the man pressed the recording button, but he was worried about how well Mequi would hold up against this. “You were adopted by John and Barbara Taylor…”
~~*~~
John stretched as he watched his wife play with their two-year-old son. He could hardly believe the boy had already grown so much. These past two years had gone by so fast as if they were trying to slip by without him knowing.
“Has his mother called?” John asked, standing and approaching his wife.
“No.” Barbara shook her head sadly, still staring at Mequi as he played with the panels on the book that she was reading to him. “She won’t respond to my letters either.”
“Sad.” John sighed, squatting beside the boy and patting the boy’s rusty-colored hair. “She seemed like she loved him and wanted to be apart of his life, but then she turned around and acted like that.”
“Drugs…” Barbara again shook her head. “They’ll ruin even the best life.”
~~*~~
“Please, stop again.” Mequi had paled, knowing that it would have been more difficult to find out about Tammy’s use of drugs. She had never actually been tested and so he knew that there would be no data collected on it. The only way Chance could have discovered that would be if he had hired a detective and, even then, there were chances that no one was left that knew of her use of drugs.
“It’s been an hour.” Mequi released his breath slowly and as secretly as he could. “Would you like more water? Your voice is rasping.”
“That would do me well.” Chance smiled as kindly as he could. He knew going into details would cause Mequi to grow unsteady, but he felt it necessary to tell Mequi everything he knew. “Thank you again.”
“Continue.”
“You went to kindergarten at the Trinity Baptist Church School, where you excelled in all you did…”
~~*~~
“All A's?” John gasped as he stared at the teacher, Katie Huert. “And he’s doing second grade work? But he’s only five!”
“He’s an excellent student.” The woman smiled as she looked down upon Mequi. He was reading a book to himself out loud and the vibrancy of his voice made his words come to life like a professional reader. “I believe you should home school him so that he can graduate early.”
“I can’t.” John shook his head. “I don’t have time and neither does my wife.”
“Hire a tutor.” The teacher insisted. “I know a good teacher. His name is Mr. Vienza.”
~~*~~
“Stop…” Mequi whispered. Beads of sweat had begun to form on his brow since he had certainly remembered the day that Mrs. Huert had talked to his father about hiring a tutor. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Okay.” Chance watched the man leave, knowing that it was his fault.
Mequi closed the door to his office and leaned against it, staring up at the ceiling as he tried to figure out what was going on. He had never truly been on a case like this. He had heard about desired suicides, potential murders, wishful thinking, and lunatic ideals, but he had never found himself in a situation where someone was telling him about his own life.
“Are you all right, Mequi?” One of Mequi’s coworkers, Danielle Higgins, asked as she moved towards him. She was a beautiful woman with long dark hair, tan skin, and large dark eyes. Her body was well-toned and her features usually bore a radiant smile. Currently, her thin brows were pinched in worry and her lips were pierced together. “You look ill.”
“I’m fine.” Mequi breathed, his voice wavering as he spoke. “Excuse me.”
Slipping back into his office, Mequi searched Chance’s eyes as the young man stared at him. How could this one know about all of this? Some of it was basic and he could imagine that the fine details were just whatever Chance dared to make up, but the therapist had a feeling that this one would not lie. Chance knew what he was saying and he knew it was true.
“You have an hour to sum up some of what you have to say.” Mequi stated as he sat down. “But you may continue at our nest session.”
Chance nodded as he closed his eyes again and waited for the recording button to click on. “You met Mr. Vienza on a hot August day…”
~~*~~
Mequi stood inside of his living room, his heart racing. He was excited to meet his tutor since the man would be apart of a substantial portion of his life. His greatest hope was that the man would be kind, gentle, genial, and good-natured. His greatest fear was that the man would be bitter, harsh, easily-frustrated, and resentful towards children.
Barbara rushed into the living room, her heels clicking on the hard floors. Rushing up to tiny Mequi, she knelt and grabbed his petite shoulders. “Let me see you.”
Her eyes scanned his features then his outfit. “Did you wash your face?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Is this outfit clean?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you have on clean underwear?”
Mequi blushed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you brush your teeth?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you clean your room?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Barbara paused in thought as she checked his body to make sure he had not snuck any toys into his collared shirt and slacks. It was not as if he normally did such things nor was it normal for him to forget the basics of proper hygiene, but Barbara was a finicky mother and a perfectionist.
“Where are your shoes?”
“By the front door.” Mequi paled slightly. He had forgotten to slip those on.
“Put on your penny loafers.” Barbara ordered in frustration. “You must look nice for your tutor. He’s coming a long way to teach you and he’s making us pay a lot.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mequi jogged to the door and quickly yanked on his loafers, his cheeks red with his blunder.
“Did you brush your hair?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you wash behind your ears?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you eat breakfast?”
“Yes, ma’am. I had scrambled eggs. Daddy made them for me.”
“Did you thank him?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You act your best for the tutor.” Barbara fidgeted worriedly. “He’s exceptional and he’s professional. Everyone has viewed him as the best of the best for elementary children. If you fail us, you’ll make us all look horrible.”
“I will do my best, mommy.” Mequi stood and smiled at her with a big grin. “I will always do my best. I will make you proud.”
Barbara smiled lovingly upon him as she realized her cruelty. “I’m sorry, Mequi. You’re right. You’ll be fine. You’ll do what is right.”
A knock sounded on the door and both of them stiffened. Mequi ran to his mother and she told him where to stand and then told him to stay as still and properly as possible as she went to answer the door.
The door swung open and Mequi was stunned with the appearance of a tall strong man with broad shoulders, a thin waist, and steely gray eyes. His black hair was styled slightly modern with a touch of formal and his round glasses flashed reflections of the chandelier that hung above Mequi. Everything about the man was refined, but also tasteful and modern. He carried himself well and his features were both soft and stern. Mequi could not decipher the man at first glance as he had intended to. He could only learn how his teacher would be through their interactions together.
“Mr. Vienza.” Barbara appeared relieved. “I’m so glad you made it. Was the trip too long?”
“Not too much, no.” The man replied with a smile. “And Vienza is actually my first name. My last name is Yetszur. You may call me Vienza, Mrs. Tobbinson.”
“Thank you.” Barbara smiled with relief again before leading the man to her son. “Well, this is Mequi, your student. He’s eager to meet you.’
Vienza looked down at Mequi and smiled broadly. “Hello, Mequi. You look like one of those children that people fall instantly in love with.”
Mequi blushed. “Thank you, sir.”
Barbara took a deep breath. “I’m late for work. I hope you don’t mind me leaving without showing you around first.”
“I do not mind.” Vienza turned to her.
“Mequi will provide you with a tour if he has time after his studies.” Barbara informed the man. “I’ll be home at four.”
“That will work fine.” Vienza nodded to her. “So, his studies will be from six in the morning until four in the afternoon, correct?”
“Yes.” Barbara nodded.
“I will have to give him a couple of breaks…” Vienza sighed. “For my own sake. Ten hours of schooling is too much for a teacher and especially a student.”
“Arrange your schedule as you see fit.” Barbara moved towards the door, picking up her purse and car keys at the same time. “You be good, Mequi dear!”
“I will, ma’am.” Mequi hollered back and then his mother was gone.
Vienza sighed as he swept a glance around the large living room with its tiled floor, shiny walls, and expensive furniture. “What a stuffy home…not for a child at all…do you always wear such a fine outfit, Mequi, or do you act like a child sometimes?”
Mequi stared up at the tree-like Vienza. “I wear other clothes too, sir.”
“Ah.” Vienza flicked a brow up. “Well, let us begin. Please, show me where your parents would like you to do your studies.”
“In my room, sir.” Mequi started up the spiraling staircase that led to his bedroom. “My mommy wants me to call your “sir” or “Mr. Yetszur” and I will do as I am told, sir. I hope you do not mind, sir.”
Vienza’s brow flicked up again. “You should do as your mother says.”
Mequi grinned broadly as he opened the door to his room and stepped inside.
Vienza’s eyes widened as his mouth dropped open slightly. The room was large with a curtained-off section where Mequi’s bed, dresser, and toys were. The other segment was where the boy’s tall desk and bookshelf were and it was here that Mequi sat down. There was a large out-of-place chair that was obviously for Vienza and all of the toys and books that the boy owned were neatly put away.
“Your family is rich.” The man commented as he took a seat and set his large briefcase beside his chair.
Mequi shrugged as he pulled out a card from a cubby in a part of his desk. “Here. This is for you, sir.”
Vienza took the card with a nod and a smile and then opened it. He was stunned to see the neat handwriting of a superbly capable child and then smiled at the childish art that coated it.
Dear Mr. Tutor,
My name is Mequi and I am six years old. I am currently going into the third grade and I would like to thank you for choosing to be my tutor. I am glad that you would take the time to teach me and help me to excel.
Thank you,
Mequi Tobbinson
“Did your parents ask you to do this?” Vienza asked as he looked at the boy with approval.
“No.” Mequi shook his head. “I did it because I wanted to. I had to look up some of the words though.”
“Ah…” Vienza’s smile grew. “Then I thank you more willingly. You’re very good. Your writing is neat, your language is professional, and you choose your words and sentences well. There is only slight need for improvement. I believe you will excel and quickly, for that matter.”
Mequi’s face grew bright with glee. “Thank you very much, sir.”
Vienza placed the card into a folder before slipping the folder back into his briefcase. “All right. Our schedule will be basic. We will have arithmetic, language arts, and science in the morning before you are given a break. Because your brain works best in the morning and because these will be some of your hardest subjects, it is ideal to have you work on them in the morning. After your break, we will move on to a foreign language of your choice prior to lunch. We will end the day with history, geography, and art. Is this fair?”
Mequi nodded surely. “Whatever you ask, I am to give, sir. What about physical education, though? My mommy wanted me to ask.”
“Your parents must provide a physical activity for you.” Vienza stated. “I am not responsible for choosing such, but I might carry out the overseeing of such with additional expenses and for the sake of your tutoring. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” Mequi nodded again, staring at his tutor.
“Then, let’s begin with arithmetic.” Vienza pulled a thick hard covered book and a thin paperbacked one from his briefcase. “This thin book will be your book, which you will work all your problems out in as I give them to you. I have a notebook where you will keep notes and another notebook where you will write any essays concerning mathematics. For each of your studies, this will apply. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” Mequi took the thin book as the man handed it to him. “Thank you, sir.”
“I hope we can get along.” Vienza suddenly stated, his eyes growing concerned as he stared upon Mequi. “I don’t want to be viewed as an enemy, Mequi. Feel free to express any concerns and ask any questions, despite how silly they might sound.”
Mequi stared at the man for a couple of seconds in wonder. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
Vienza smiled. He had never heard a six year old use such adult speech and he was intrigued that a single boy had accomplished the art thereof. “Good. Please, turn to page one in your book.”
~~*~~
“I apologize.” Mequi murmured and Chance opened his eyes to stare upon him. “But your session is over for today. You will have to come again another session and continue.”
Chance sat up. “Oh. I’m sorry. I got carried away. Um…would you like me to come back next week at the same time?”
“Yes.” Mequi nodded slowly. His eyes were glued to the ground. He did not dare look at Chance for fear that the young man would see the fear in his eyes. “Please, do come again. I would like to hear more of what you have to say.”
Chance hesitated. “Okay. I’ll come…how much is it for this session?”
“You may pay me at your next session.” Mequi whispered. His brain could not focus enough to recall what a normal session cost and certainly could not do the math to figure out what a prolonged session summed up to be. “Have a good day, Mr. Kelly.”
Chance frowned at Mequi’s use of his name. “Okay. Thank you. I’ll see you next week.”
Timidly, Chance pulled on his heavy jean coat and then headed out the door. Mequi waited until his office door slammed before he dared to even lift his head. His chin was trembling and his hands were shaking and clammy to the touch. He could barely focus on anything without a headache pounding through his head.
“Vienza…” He murmured, his voice chocked. “Vienza…”